Jaycee Chan Joming (Chinese: 房祖名, born December 3, 1982) is an American-born Chinese actor and singer. In 2004, he released his first Mandarin CD album in Hong Kong. He is the son of Hong Kong-born Chinese actor and martial artist Jackie Chan and Taiwanese actress Joan Lin. He sings and performs in Mandarin and Cantonese.

Jaycee Chan
房祖名
Born
Jaycee Chan Joming (陳祖明)[1]

(1982-12-03) December 3, 1982 (age 42)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican-Chinese
EducationCollege of William & Mary
Years active2004–present
Parents
Musical career
GenresMandopop, Cantopop
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
LabelsEmperor Entertainment Group
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese陳祖明
Simplified Chinese陈祖明
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChén Zǔmíng
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingChan4 Zo2 Ming4

In 2014, Chan was arrested and jailed for the possession and distribution of marijuana, and for accommodating drug users at his apartment in Beijing. Chan was sentenced to six months in state prison, and served out his full sentence behind bars.

Chan's career and reputation were damaged by the drug scandal. In 2021, he started his own Tequila brand Los 7 Ángeles.[2][3]

Early life and education

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Chan was born on December 3, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Taiwanese actress Joan Lin and Hong Kong-born Chinese martial arts star Jackie Chan.[1]

Chan briefly attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, for two semesters, but did not graduate.[4][5] He has a penchant for luxury cars and nightlife and stated that he left school because "all you can see in Virginia is sheep."[6][7]

Chan speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Career

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Giving up on school, Chan moved to Hong Kong in 2003 to pursue his career. He composed the music and wrote the lyrics for 10 of the 13 tracks on his first CD, "Jaycee" (2004). His film debut was The Twins Effect II, in which his father had a cameo role. His second role was a Hong Kong romance film 2 Young, in which he co-starred with Hong Kong Cantopop singer Fiona Sit. They both worked together again on Break Up Club in 2010. In 2007, he co-starred alongside Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue in Benny Chan's action film Invisible Target.

Despite heavy promotions and awards, his albums and movies have not been commercially successful. His film Double Trouble only grossed US$9,000 in Hong Kong in the first two weeks.[8]

In early 2009, Chinese websites reported he had given up his United States citizenship in favor of Chinese citizenship to appeal to local audiences.[9] He later confirmed this on Instagram.[10]

He voiced the younger version of his father's character Master Monkey in Secrets of the Furious Five.[11] In addition, he voiced Master Crane in the Cantonese version of Kung Fu Panda and its sequel Kung Fu Panda 2.[12]

Chan and his father starred together in Jackie's 100th film, 1911.[13] The team-up resulted in Jackie Chan's least profitable and worst reviewed film to date.[14]

In 2015, his father revealed that Chan had shown interest on writing a script for a sequel to CZ12 and will make the film "if it's right".[15]

Arrest

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On August 18, 2014, it was reported that Chan had been arrested on August 14, by Beijing police due to drug possession, alongside Kai Ko, a Taiwanese actor.[16] Public informants known as Chaoyang masses were credited for turning Chan in.[17] Police later found more than 100 grams (3.5 oz) of marijuana after searching Chan's apartment.[18] While Ko was set to be released 14 days after his arrest, Chan faced criminal charges and sentences up to the death penalty or life imprisonment for allegedly hosting others to consume marijuana.[19]

Chan, whose father Jackie had been China's anti-drug goodwill ambassador since 2009, admitted to taking drugs for 8 years.[20] Soon after, Jackie Chan made a public apology for his son's drug use.[21] On September 17, 2014, Beijing Dongcheng procurator's office approved the formal arrest of Chan on suspicion of "accommodating drug users".[22]

Chan spent his 32nd birthday in custody with his mother stating that her son has borrowed more than a hundred books to read since he was detained.[23] On December 22, 2014, four months after his arrest, Chan was indicted by Chinese authorities for sheltering other people to use drugs.[24] His trial finally began on January 9, 2015, in Beijing, after spending 148 days in detention. Chan was sentenced to six months in prison and fined 2,000 yuan (~US$320). Chan confessed that he broke the law and he should be punished for his actions and that he would not do it again. His parents did not attend their son's hearing, although the elder Chan was reportedly in Beijing. His father repeatedly said that he would not use his connections to lighten his son's sentence.[25][26]

It was later revealed that during his detention, Chan wrote a three-page remorse letter to his mother in which he promised that he would not repeat his mistakes in the future.[27]

Chan was released from jail on February 13.[28][29] One day after his release, Chan held a press conference in Beijing to make a public apology by saying that he had no reason and no excuse for his law breaking and his arrest had a negative impact on society and that it disappointed his supporters while causing losses for those who worked with him. In his four-minute speech, he promised that he would be a law-abiding citizen, and while he still had plans to continue in the entertainment industry, he would focus on spending Chinese New Year with his parents. He stated that prison life was harsh and that his father did not use any connections to help ease his sentence. He extended a deep bow both before and after his speech.[30][31]

Before his arrest in August 2014, Chan was filming Monk Comes Down the Mountain. His role in the film was not credited due to his arrest.[32]

Reception and public image

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Chan is largely viewed as a spendthrift[33][34][35][36] and "playboy"[37] whose movies and music have not been met with commercial or critical success despite heavy promotion and support. In 2014, People's Daily ranked Chan as one of China's top "wastrel" fuerdai.[38] Chan's arrest in 2014 severely affected his career, and he lost multi-million dollar endorsements and contracts from Adidas, Nivea, Yishion, Johnson & Johnson contact lenses, Stride gum, KFC, and Chevrolet.[39]

Personal life

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After Chan's release from prison, he lived with his mother in Taipei, keeping a low profile, and often wearing a mask to avoid being seen in public.[40]

He claimed he had flown before COVID-19 had spread to the United States. When the situation worsened in the US, he decided to stay in LA as he felt that there would be a higher probability of him being infected if he were to make the long journey home.[41]

Relationship with Jackie Chan

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During an awards ceremony in Beijing in April 2011, Jackie stated that he would be donating half his money to charity when he dies, instead of to his son.[42][43] Jackie explained, "If he is capable, he can make his own money. If he is not, then he will just be wasting my money."[42][43]

After serving six months in jail, Chan met his father for the first time in Taiwan, and the two appeared to have reconciled. "I hadn't seen him for too long. I feel he's matured this time," Jackie Chan said. "We didn't talk about unhappy things. It was all family chat. We talked into the night and didn't sleep." Before leaving to do a promotion, he gave his son a haircut.[44]

Filmography

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Year Title Chinese Title Role
2004 The Twins Effect II 千機變II: 花都大戰 "Charcoal Head" / "Star of Rex"
2005 2 Young 早熟 爾冬升 "Fong Ka-fu"
2006 McDull, the Alumni 春田花花同學會 "Office staff" (cameo)
The Heavenly Kings 四大天王 Himself
2007 The Sun Also Rises 太陽照常升起 姜文 The Son
Invisible Target 男兒本色 "Officer Wai King-ho"
The Drummer 戰鼓 "Sid"
PK.COM.CN 誰說青春不能錯 "Zhang Wenli"
2008 Kung Fu Panda 功夫熊猫 "Crane" (Cantonese voice)
Secrets of the Furious Five 虎膽五俠 "Young Monkey" (voice)
2009 Tracing Shadow 追影 "Lord Xu"
Mulan 花木蘭 "Fei Xiaohu" A.K.A. "Tiger"
2010 Break Up Club 分手說愛你 "Joe"
2011 1911 辛亥革命 "Zhang Zhenwu"
Kung Fu Panda 2 功夫熊猫2 "Crane" (Cantonese voice)
Lee's Adventure 李獻計歷險記 "Li Xianji"
East Meets West 東成西就2011
2012 Her Father His Father 春暖花開
Double Trouble 寶島雙雄 "Jay"
Whoever 愛誰誰
Chrysanthemum to the Beast 給野獸獻花
2013 Machi Action 變身 Cameo
The Ideal City 一座城池
Love Speaks 意外的戀愛時光 "Zhou Tong"
2015 Monk Comes Down the Mountain 道士下山 "Peng Qizi" (uncredited)[32]
2016 Railroad Tigers 铁道飞虎
2021 Good Night Beijing 北京·晚九朝五 Director & Supporting Actor
TBA Great Mr. Zhou 了不起的周先生

Discography

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Released Title Language Track listing
2004 "Jaycee" (Self-titled audio Video CD) Mandarin
Track listing
  1. "Computer Data"
  2. "邊走邊唱" "Walking and Singing" (MV)
  3. "最動聽" "The Most Touching Song" (MV)
  4. "Jaycee"
  5. "邊走邊唱" "Walking and Singing"
  6. "最動聽" "The Most Touching Song"
  7. "人" "Human"
  8. "一年八個月" "8 Months in One Year"
  9. "答應" "Agree
  10. "我還愛吸毒" "I Still Love You"
  11. "人工牆" "Man-made Wall"
  12. "要強" "Be Strong"
  13. ""Hold On" JC said"
  14. "JC's Berp"
  15. "Saturday Night"
  16. "Little Boy"
  17. "Angel"
  18. "Jaycee Intro"
  19. "Am I Weird?"
  20. 要強 (Demo) "Be Strong" (Demo)
  21. "Saturday Night with Mom"
  22. 我還愛吸毒 (Demo 1) "I Still Love You" (Demo 1)
  23. 我還愛吸毒 (Demo 2) "I Still Love You" (Demo 2)
2010 亂 "Chaos"
Track listing
  1. WEIRD ME
  2. 若無其事 (緯來韓劇"天使的誘惑 "片尾曲) Like it's nothing
  3. 迷 Lost
  4. 忠 Loyal
  5. 累 Tired
  6. 假動作 (八大韓劇"妻子的誘惑"片頭曲) Fake actions
  7. Nice to Meet You
  8. 我的肝 My liver
  9. 最好的我(合唱:龔芝怡) Best of me
  10. 兩個人 Two people
  11. 知己 Soulmates
  12. 一路好走 (中版) Safe journey (Mandarin version)
  13. 別放棄 Don't give up
  14. 下次再見 Next time we meet
  15. 不知不覺 Unknowingly
  16. 光明行 Bright way
  17. 一路好走(鋼琴版) Safe journey (piano version)
  18. 一路好走

References

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  1. ^ a b "The birth of Joming Jaycee Chan". California Birth Index. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  2. ^ "Jaycee Chan snapped giving 2 women a lift in his Tesla after leaving Kai Ko's bar".
  3. ^ "Local DJ Amber Na Partied at a Nightclub with Jackie Chan's Son Jaycee?". May 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Jaycee Chan: Like dad, but only up to a point" New York Times. December 7, 2006.
  5. ^ List of College of William and Mary alumni
  6. ^ Jackie Chan: His Life, Films, Stunts, Injuries, Endorsements And Troubles – China Archived September 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Facts and Details (April 23, 2009).
  7. ^ Seno, Alexandra A. (December 7, 2006). "Jaycee Chan: Like dad, but only up to a point". New York Times. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Yikes! "Double Trouble" Only Made $9,000 in HK | Movies With Butter". www.movieswithbutter.com. July 10, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  9. ^ 房祖名加入中国籍 美国移民局曾多次挽留_网易娱乐 Archived January 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Ent.163.com (January 21, 2009).
  10. ^ Jaycee Chan renounces U.S. citizenship, asiaone.com. Accessed August 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "TalkTalk". www.talktalk.co.uk. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  12. ^ "腾讯首页". www.qq.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  13. ^ 1911 (2011). Hkmdb.com (September 23, 2011).
  14. ^ Commemorating China's 1911 revolution: From Sun to Mao to now. The Economist.
  15. ^ "Jail has made Jaycee Chan a better man, so his dad thinks he should 'go back to jail every year' | the Straits Times". The Straits Times. March 2015.
  16. ^ 柯震东和房祖名在京吸毒被拘留 Archived August 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Beijing Times
  17. ^ Ni, Vincent (October 30, 2021). "Chaoyang masses: the rise of Beijing's neighbourhood patrols". The Guardian. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  18. ^ Armstrong, Paul (August 19, 2014). "Jackie Chan's son held in anti-drugs crackdown in China's capital". CNN.
  19. ^ "Jackie Chan's Son and Taiwan Actor Ko Arrested in Drug Bust". CRI. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014.
  20. ^ "I've been taking marijuana for 8 years, says Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie Chan". The straits times. August 19, 2014.
  21. ^ China drugs, Jackie Chan son, CNN, August 21, 2014.
  22. ^ 房祖名被北京东城检察院批捕 面临三年以下徒刑, Xinhua News Agency.
  23. ^ "Jaycee Chan turns over new leaf in detention". Asia One. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
  24. ^ "Jackie Chan's son Jaycee charged with drug offence". BBC News. December 22, 2014.
  25. ^ "Jackie Chan's", China post, January 10, 2015.
  26. ^ "Why Jackie Chan did not show up at son's trial", Chin topics, January 9, 2015.
  27. ^ The straits times.
  28. ^ "Jackie Chan's son Jaycee released from jail", Mid day, February 13, 2015.
  29. ^ "Jackie Chan's son released from jail". BBC News. February 13, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  30. ^ "Son of Jackie Chan released following Beijing jail term for drug use". TheGuardian.com. February 14, 2015.
  31. ^ "Jackie's Son Jaycee Chan Apologizes Publicly for Drug Charge". Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  32. ^ a b Maggie Lee (July 4, 2015). "Film Review: 'Monk Comes Down the Mountain'". Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  33. ^ ""坑爹"的4位"星二代",房祖名上榜,最后一对父子"互坑"!_谢霆锋". www.sohu.com (in Chinese). Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "李某某到房祖名,星二代为何接连坑爹". ent.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). Sina Corp. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  35. ^ ""坑爹"的4位"星二代",房祖名上榜,最后一对父子"互坑"!_谢霆锋". www.sohu.com (in Chinese). Sohu. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  36. ^ "李某某到房祖名,星二代为何接连坑爹". ent.sina.com.cn. Sina. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  37. ^ "Jackie Chan's Playboy Son Detained Over Drugs". Sky News. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  38. ^ "揭"坑爹"星二代:房祖名吸毒被抓 郑少秋两女上榜". hb.people.com.cn. People's Daily. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  39. ^ "Jackie Chan's Son Sends Brands Running From Endorsement Deals In Wake Of Drug Scandal". Jing Daily. August 25, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  40. ^ "Jaycee Chan reunites with mother Lin Feng-jiao after prison release". 8 Days. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  41. ^ "Jaycee Chan Says He And Jackie Chan's Interests Are "Aligned" Now That They Are Staying Home". TODAYonline. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  42. ^ a b [1]. Jackie Chan to donate entire fortune to charity and leave his son nothing (April 6, 2011).
  43. ^ a b [2] Archived August 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. The 15 tycoons who refuse to leave their fortunes to their children (August 22, 2013).
  44. ^ "Jackie Chan Gives Son Jaycee a Haircut". JayneStars. February 25, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
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