Jackie Chan's Complicated Family Life: The Stories Behind His Children

In July 2023, Jackie Chan found himself at the center of a social media storm after a clip from his movie Ride On went viral. In the scene, Jackie shares a tender moment with his on-screen daughter, which led to some confusion among viewers. Many mistakenly thought the emotional scene was a real-life moment between Jackie and his daughter. However, in reality, Jackie's relationship with his children, particularly his estranged daughter Etta Ng Chok Lam, is far more complex than what appears on screen. Let's dive deeper into his family life and understand the dynamics with his children.

Jackie Chan's Daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam: The Backstory

Jackie Chan, the beloved martial artist and actor, tied the knot with his wife, Joan Lin, in 1982. However, life took an unexpected turn when Etta Ng Chok Lam was born in 1999. Etta is the result of an extramarital affair Jackie had with Elaine Ng Yi-Lei. In a candid press conference shortly after Etta's birth, Jackie admitted his mistakes, describing them as a moment of "playfulness." But as we all know, life isn't always as simple as it seems.

In his 2015 memoir, Never Grow Up, Jackie revisited the topic, opening up about the affair and the birth of his daughter. He described it as a "serious mistake" and recalled the overwhelming media frenzy that followed. "When the news broke about the affair and the child, it felt like a bomb had gone off," Jackie wrote. "I wanted to call Joan, but I didn't know what to say. How could I possibly explain this to her?"

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What Happened Between Jackie Chan and Etta Ng Chok Lam?

Today, Jackie and Etta remain estranged, a situation that has its roots in a deeply personal and painful chapter of their lives. In April 2018, Etta took to YouTube to share her story. In an emotional video, she revealed that her family's homophobia had driven her and her partner to homelessness. "We've been homeless for a month because of homophobic parents," Etta explained. "We pretty much slept under a bridge, and no matter where we turned—police, hospitals, food banks, LGBTQ community shelters—no one seemed to care."

Fast forward to July 2023, and the video resurfaced on Twitter, coinciding with the viral clip from Ride On. Twitter users were quick to point out the irony, noting that Jackie's on-screen relationship with his daughter was far removed from his real-life situation with Etta. Despite the challenges, Etta found love and support in her life. On November 8, 2018, she married social media influencer Andi Autumn in Toronto. Even in October 2022, the couple was spotted waiting in line for free food in the city, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Jackie Chan's Son, Jaycee Chan: The Family Man's Other Side

On December 3, 1982, Jackie and Joan welcomed their son, Jaycee Chan, into the world. Jaycee followed in his father's footsteps, carving out a career in entertainment. Known for his work in films like Double Trouble, Railroad Tigers, and Good Night Beijing, Jaycee has carved his own niche as both a singer and actor.

What Happened to Jaycee Chan?

In August 2014, Jaycee's life took a dramatic turn when he was arrested for drug possession and distribution, charged with "the crime of sheltering others to take drugs." After pleading guilty in a Beijing court, Jaycee served a six-month sentence in a Chinese jail. Since then, Jackie has been vocal about his disappointment in his son's choices, even going so far as to declare that he won't leave Jaycee any money from his vast fortune.

In a 2011 interview with Channel NewsAsia, Jackie expressed his philosophy on wealth and legacy. "If he's capable, he can make his own money," Jackie said. "If he's not, then he'll just be wasting mine." Despite the public statements, Jackie's relationship with Jaycee remains a private matter, with reps for Jackie declining to comment further to Closer.