(FULL) Xi's Purge of Jackie Chan: Son Arrested, $274M Loss, and 37 Years of Lies

In August 2014, a scandal shook the Chinese entertainment world to its core. When police raided a nightclub in Chaoyang, Beijing, they discovered a wild scene involving numerous artists, models, entrepreneurs, film school students, wealthy heirs, and many young women in an intoxicated state. Among them was a particularly notable figure, JC Chan, the son of Jackie Chan, caught in the act of using illegal substances. JC Chan was a VIP guest at this nightclub. He often visited with friends, both familiar and unfamiliar, indulging in two-day, one-night parties. On such occasions, they would open hundreds of bottles of alcohol and spend tens of thousands of yuan as prizes for wild indulgences. JC admitted that he had struggled with substance abuse since entering the entertainment industry. With a fortune exceeding $460 million, martial arts icon Jackie Chan stands among China's wealthiest entertainers. When asked about his wealth on Sina, he humorously remarked, "...not as rich as Jack Ma, but certainly not poor either." He even joked, "...my fee for a single Hollywood movie could fund Hong Kong's entire film industry for a year." However, at 70, Jackie Chan faces a starkly different reality. Aging and lonely, he continues to act. But his projects have suffered staggering losses — $274 million over six years. Once celebrated as an unbeatable box-office draw, he is now labeled a jinx and box-office poison. The golden era of his career has long faded, and today, Jackie Chan is often seen as a star whose time has passed. What went wrong? What events led to the downfall of a global superstar? Could his deep dive into politics have brought about his undoing? Join us in today's video as we uncover the untold story behind Jackie Chan's shocking decline. A lifetime's fortune earned in a single film. Jackie Chan's paycheck for Rush Hour 3 was a staggering $15 million, and he earned a similar amount for The Forbidden Kingdom. Beyond acting fees, he also enjoys substantial revenue from box-office commissions, distribution rights, and projects he produces himself. In China, Jackie Chan earns an average of $12 million per film, according to Sina. A single event appearance can bring him $1 million, while endorsements typically net $2 to $3 million USD each. In 2020, Jackie Chan ranked among the world's top 10 highest-paid actors, raking in $40 million. His total net worth is estimated to exceed $463 million. Jackie Chan is not just a film icon, but also a real estate tycoon. His portfolio includes luxury apartments and villas across the globe. In 2000, Jackie Chan partnered with billionaire Albert Young, investing over $25 million to develop a series of mansions in Hong Kong, which became symbols of elite living. In 2008, former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe purchased a mansion there for $5.1 million. In the U.S., Jackie Chan owns a villa in Beverly Hills, a prestigious area known as a haven for Hollywood stars. In China, he boasts an array of high-value properties—two villas in Repulse Bay, four homes in Kowloon, and even a museum in Shanghai that bears his name. In Beijing's Chaoyang District, Jackie Chan and Young acquired a 10,000-square-meter plot to construct the Emperor Group Center, now a sprawling commercial hub featuring a 20-story tower and a 20,000-square-meter shopping complex. According to Sohu, the project is valued at nearly $1.5 billion, with Jackie Chan holding a 30-percent stake. The duo also co-founded the Emperor Entertainment Hotel in Macau, where Jackie Chan invested over $60 million for a 20-percent stake. In 2019, the hotel reported a net profit of $167 million. In August 2022, Sohu revealed that Jackie Chan purchased a luxurious Riverside apartment in Hangzhou for $6 million. This high-end property features interiors plated with 18k gold and decorated with 36 types of premium stone, offering a stunning view of the Chanting River. In addition to modern properties, Jackie Chan owns several ancient homes. In October 2022, Guanghua reported that the value of his eight antique houses surged 24 times due to a real estate boom, reaching 96 million yuan, about $13.2 million. Jackie Chan's influence extends far beyond properties. He is listed as the owner of 10 companies, while his wife and son manage an additional 62. Combined, these businesses generate millions in annual profits. Jackie Chan's immense wealth supports a life of extravagance. He owns 30 luxury sports cars and three private jets, including two Legacy 650s and one Legacy 500, collectively worth $90 million. Each flight costs between $38,000 and $65,000. Jackie Chan is also a passionate collector of rare antiques. His collection, which includes Qing Dynasty jewelry, priceless artifacts, and unique contemporary pieces, is so vast it could fill eight rooms. In 2009, he showcased a rare rosewood bird carving on television, valued at over $385,000, according to Sohu. Has Jackie Chan been silently blacklisted? In both Hong Kong and mainland China, the film industry is often intertwined with money laundering and corruption. While Fan Bingbing has been implicated in aiding both the government and Hong Kong triads, Jackie Chan has also faced accusations of being a tool of the Chinese Communist Party – CCP. In an interview on a date with Liu Yu by Phoenix TV, Jackie Chan candidly admitted, He went on to confess, Chan explained that when he frequently appeared in the media, charitable organizations approached him, saying, From there, his charity work became a tool to bolster his public image and boost box office sales. He even revealed that in today's entertainment industry, some view philanthropy merely as a way to attract fans. Prominent critic Song Zudai publicly accused Jackie Chan during the tax evasion scandal involving Fan Bingbing. Song stated, In 2021, Kris Wu faced a public downfall after a sexual misconduct scandal that implicated several artists and industry moguls. Song Zudai revealed that Wu's case exposed 14 other prominent figures. He called for severe penalties for stars like Jackie Chan, accusing them of supporting and enabling Wu. Song further criticized the extravagant lifestyles of celebrities, claiming they mislead Chinese citizens into idolizing wealth and fostering toxic competition. He remarked, $772,000 to $77 million equals the lifetime salaries of 100 scientists working 20 to 50 years. Song also denounced foreign artists flocking to China to profit, while domestic stars would often emigrate after accumulating wealth. He highlighted how children are pressured into costly arts programs that drain their parents' finances, often without learning meaningful skills. Song singled out Jackie Chan, criticizing him for endorsing video games at his age, calling it harmful. Jackie Chan reportedly helped Kris Wu enter the elite Beijing Circle, Jinken, a group of influential artists and cultural figures connected to Beijing's political elite. This network, initially formed for mutual support, includes prominent figures like film executives, directors, screenwriters, actors, and top-tier celebrities with strong ties to the government and business world. The Beijing Circle provided Jackie Chan with unparalleled resources and opportunities, thanks to backing from mainland entertainment tycoons like Zheng Qinghuai, the brother of Zheng Qinghong, a Jiang Zemin loyalist. Zheng controlled artistic programs at China Central Television, CCTV, and cultural operations in Hong Kong. Kris Wu was also supported by Jackie Chan and Qi Jianhong, a billionaire with assets once valued at 10 billion yuan, $1.54 billion. Qi founded the Yao Lai Honor Club, Yao Leizhou No Hui, an exclusive group of over 3,000 billionaires deeply entrenched in the entertainment industry. Yao Lai Cinema Management Company, once owned by Qi Jianhong, was fully acquired by Cultural Investment Holdings in 2014, making Qi its second-largest shareholder. Together with Jackie Chan, the trio formed an iron triangle that propelled Chan's films in China. According to Tianyancha data, major figures like Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Guoli, Huang Xiaoming, and Li Bingbing held shares in Cultural Investment Holdings, creating a powerful network. By 2016, Yao Lai had built 25 Jackie Chan-themed cinemas across 14 provinces in China. With access to vast resources and a robust theater network, Kris Wu quickly rose to stardom, securing roles and awards many veteran actors could only dream of. However, in 2018, under Xi Jinping's sweeping crackdown on the entertainment industry, Cultural Investment Holdings' stock plummeted. That October, Yao Lai declared bankruptcy. Qi Jianhong, once listed among the Harun Rich List billionaires, was branded untrustworthy overnight. Seven of his properties in Beijing's Chaoyang District were seized, and he faced court-issued consumption restrictions. By 2021, Kris Wu's arrest led to further revelations implicating high-profile figures in the entertainment industry, particularly those linked to John Zimmons' faction. Jackie Chan's once-powerful connections and resources were all but eradicated. Life turned upside down by purging. Jackie Chan's life and career have faced significant turbulence in recent years. After his son, JC Chan, was blacklisted in 2014 for drug use and Kris Wu's scandalous downfall in 2021, Jackie Chan's fortunes took a turn for the worse. The situation worsened when Chinese President Xi Jinping realized that Jackie Chan had aligned himself with John Zimmons' faction. Products endorsed by Jackie Chan, ranging from cars and shampoo to food, were plagued by controversies. Some were recalled, while others were linked to companies that later went bankrupt. In Chinese business circles, a saying has emerged, there's a kind of business doomed to fail. It's the one endorsed by Jackie Chan. Jackie Chan's string of endorsements has an infamous track record. He was the face of Xiaobawang Electronics, which later collapsed. He promoted Aida VCD players, whose company chairman ended up in jail. His endorsement of Fenhuang Soda led nowhere as the brand disappeared. Kaidi Cars, another product he championed, sold fewer than 900 units across China. Bawang shampoo, which he backed, was found to contain carcinogens, while Simeon dumplings were recalled due to bacterial contamination. Even Hong Kong Airlines, which Jackie Chan represented, fell into a severe financial crisis. One of the most high-profile failures was Jackie Chan's endorsement of Kaspersky, a Russian antivirus software banned by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Authorities cited concerns that it acted as a digital Trojan horse, covertly infiltrating sensitive networks for the Russian government. Given these repeated misfortunes, Chinese netizens have coined the term Jackie Chan Comet to describe his perceived knack for bringing bad luck to brands. At 70, Jackie Chan remains committed to acting, but his films have consistently underperformed, earning him the unfortunate title of box-office poison. For example, The Myth 2, with a production budget of 360 million yuan, approximately 50 million dollars, became a major flop, earning only 71 million yuan, around 10 million dollars in its opening week. Similarly, Panda Plan ended its run with a mere 350 million yuan in revenue, far shorter than the 675 million yuan needed to break even. Another project, Ride On, which cost 300 million yuan, 43.6 million dollars to produce, brought in just 98 million yuan, 14.2 million dollars, after five days in theaters. Jackie Chan himself has admitted to losing nearly 2 billion yuan, 290 million dollars, over the past six years due to failed film projects. Adding to this string of setbacks, Jackie Chan was overshadowed on the global stage by Michelle Yeoh. The lead role in Everything Everywhere All at Once was originally written for Jackie Chan, but he declined due to scheduling conflicts. Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Shiner reworked the story to center on a female protagonist, casting Michelle Yeoh. Her performance went on to earn her an Oscar nomination. It's becoming increasingly evident Jackie Chan's golden era has long passed. Jackie Chan Lied for 37 Years In November 2020, a popular Chinese content creator exposed Jackie Chan for using stunt doubles in many of his action films. The article, titled Jackie Chan, the man who fooled the world and even the Oscars, was later changed to, Jackie Chan, you've lied for 37 years. How much longer will you keep hiding the truth? The creator stated, behind the scenes footage is staged. Out of 15 dangerous stunts, 13 were performed by stunt doubles. This is how Jackie Chan has glorified himself for the past 37 years. They also declared, this article is solely intended to reveal the truth. If there is any false accusation, I will take legal responsibility. In Jackie Chan's films, stunt doubles are everywhere. The investigation highlighted Jackie Chan's shifting statements over the years. In 1983, he claimed he would never use stunt doubles. By 1985, he admitted he sometimes used them. Later, he softened his stance, saying, stunt doubles are human too, I can't let them perform overly dangerous stunts. However, according to the expose, Jackie Chan rarely performed any dangerous stunts himself. The creator accused Jackie Chan of taking credit for the work of underpaid stunt doubles, who were often dismissed from film sets immediately after completing high-risk scenes. Meanwhile, Jackie Chan frequently boasted about performing stunts himself. In his 2017 autobiography, he repeated four times that he did not use stunt doubles. Even during his Oscar acceptance speech, he spoke about the injuries he allegedly suffered while performing stunts. Jackie Chan has long been surrounded by controversies. A prominent Chinese blogger, Bobo, published a viral article titled, The Top 10 Scandals in Jackie Chan's Career That Outraged Millions of Netizens, which detailed scandals from the early days of his career. These included acting in adult films, fathering an illegitimate child, alleged car-related affairs, accusations of charity fraud, inappropriate behavior with colleagues, money laundering, misleading advertisements, and his notoriously wild personal life. The article captured widespread attention, and Jackie Chan was even voted one of China's Top 10 Most Despised Figures of the Year. Jackie Chan's story is not just about a movie star entangled in politics. It represents a broader narrative of the era. In an authoritarian society governed by the CCP, can any artist truly be considered authentic when their fame, wealth, and future depend entirely on the system? When their livelihood is tied to the regime, can they afford to speak the truth, act righteously, or will their conscience be buried under material gain? With a fortune few can rival, Jackie Chan is known for his extravagant lifestyle and spending habits. Regularly traveling to film sets via helicopter, he flaunts his wealth and status. Adding to his aura of exclusivity, he is often accompanied by four trusted bodyguards during public appearances. Jackie has openly admitted to his habit of excessive spending. Buying luxury cars in bulk or splurging $65,000 on a single watch simply because he liked it is par for the course. Remarkably, he once revealed that he spent $2 million in a single year on dinners with friends. Beyond his wealth, Jackie's fame as a martial arts superstar has naturally led him to work alongside some of the most beautiful actresses in the industry, including Liu Yifei, Fan Bingbing, Zhang Ziyi, and Kim Hee Sun. However, his interactions with these actresses have occasionally sparked rumors of romantic entanglements. One of the most notable scandals involved Zhang Ziyi, who was rumored to have ambiguous relationships with both Jackie and his son, JC Chan. Controversy erupted when photos of Zhang engaging in playful, overly intimate behavior with the married Jackie surfaced, earning her a reputation for being inappropriate. Public opinion turned against Zhang, with many speculating that she was involved in an affair with Jackie. Jackie later clarified the situation, claiming Zhang was actually dating his son, JC. This revelation only added fuel to the fire, leaving the public baffled by Zhang's controversial behavior with her alleged future father-in-law. The fallout severely damaged Zhang's image, with many expressing disapproval of her personal conduct. Despite the intrigue, her relationship with JC was short-lived. Jackie's flamboyant lifestyle doesn't end there. In 2014, intimate photos of him cheek-to-cheek with Zhang Ziyi surfaced on Weibo during a Communist Party Congress meeting. The images quickly went viral, becoming a hot topic on Chinese social media for 24 hours. Zhang Ziyi, widely known as the lover of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, first caught Zhang's eye in 1991 during a cultural performance. Netizens mocked Jackie for offending the nation's first lady, implying that he was daring to cross a dangerous line by getting close to the wife of the Taisui, nickname refers to Jiang. The scandal only added to Jackie's reputation as a man unafraid to live on the edge, regardless of the risks. Jackie Chan's film career has been nothing short of dazzling, earning him countless awards. However, not all of these accolades have been universally accepted by the public. In 2016, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Jackie Chan would receive an honorary Oscar at the Governor's Awards, making him the first Chinese actor to receive such recognition. But the decision sparked strong backlash, particularly from pro-democracy advocates like Lisa Liu, a member of the Los Angeles Visual Artists Guild. Lisa Liu launched an online petition titled No Oscar for Jackie Chan, citing his political ties as a former member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CPPCC. In the petition, she accused Chan of supporting the Chinese government's censorship policies, undermining fundamental human rights and civil liberties. She argued that awarding him an Oscar would validate both his controversial statements and the Chinese government's suppression of free speech. The organization Hong Kong Watch, established after the Umbrella Movement, also criticized the award. They questioned whether someone like Jackie Chan, who once stated, Chinese people need to be controlled, deserved such a prestigious honor. In the areas of human rights, civil society, and freedom of cinema, Jackie Chan has become a spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party, CCP, crossing the boundaries of universal values that any ordinary person should uphold. They called on the public to sign a petition addressed to the academy, urging them to say no to Jackie Chan. What's more, Jackie Chan was implicated in the Panama Papers scandal in 2016, which exposed tax evasion and money laundering activities on a global scale. A massive leak of 11.5 million tax documents from the law firm Mossack Fonseca revealed a network of offshore shell companies allegedly used by the wealthy to evade taxes and, in some cases, launder money. According to reports, in 2008, Jackie Chan and nine associates used a secretarial company in Hong Kong to connect with Mossack Fonseca's Hong Kong and Asian branches. By the end of that year, they registered Dragonstream Limited in the British Virgin Islands, appointing Mossack Fonseca as its registered agent and representative office. Jackie Chan was the largest shareholder in Dragonstream Limited, owning over 500,000 shares, equating to a 27.75% stake. The other shareholders were also high-profile individuals. While the company's exact operations remain unclear, Chan's offshore holdings extended to six companies. 1. Jumbo Jazz Investment Ltd. 2. Jackie and JJ International Limited 3. Jackie Chan Limited 4. Dragon Dream Services Limited 5. Jackie's Java Company Limited 6. Dragonstream Limited The activities of these companies remain shrouded in mystery, with no clear information about their operations. These revelations added fuel to the fire, further tarnishing Jackie Chan's reputation amid growing public scrutiny. On August 18, 2014, Beijing police, after a four-day delay, revealed the arrest of JC Chan, son of Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan, alongside Taiwanese actor Kai Ko, on drug-related charges. Authorities discovered over 100 grams of marijuana at JC's residence, exceeding the 50-gram limit for personal use. Following his trial, JC was sentenced to six months in prison. This incident became a major embarrassment for Jackie Chan, who had been celebrated as a drug-free ambassador. Critics were quick to blame the father-son dynamic, citing the adage, when the upper beam is crooked, the lower beams will be slanted. Some speculated that Jackie's political affiliations might have played a role in his son's arrest, with many commenting that Jackie had backed the wrong horse and was now paying the price. China operates on a deeply rooted system of guanxi, connections, and Jackie Chan was considered to have strong ties within this network. As a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CPPCC, and a vocal supporter of the CCP, Jackie's connections largely aligned with the faction of former leader Jiang Zemin. Observers noted that JC's arrest likely wasn't a coincidence in the police's anti-drug campaign, but a politically charged move. This arrest echoed the anti-prostitution crackdown in Dongguan, Guangdong, in February 2014, which initially appeared unrelated to politics. However, six months later, it became clear that the campaign was part of Xi Jinping's efforts to weaken the influence of Jiang Zemin's ally, Zheng Qinghong, in the region. Jackie Chan's international fame has often been leveraged to promote the CCP's image, but his alliances have raised eyebrows. His ties to Jiang Zemin's faction include a close relationship with Bo Guagua, son of disgraced official Bo Xilai. Jackie even traveled to the UK to support Bo Guagua's campaign for president of Oxford University's student union. Furthermore, Jackie maintained a public friendship with Zhao Benshan, who was implicated in the coup attempt led by Zhou Yongkan and Bo Xilai. By 2014, Xi Jinping's faction had intensified its campaign against Jiang Zemin's allies, particularly targeting the entertainment industry. This crackdown was seen as an attempt to dismantle the influence of Zheng Qinghuai, the younger brother of former Chinese Vice President Zheng Qinghong. Zheng Qinghuai once served as the representative of China's Ministry of Culture in Hong Kong and held the lifelong honorary chairmanship of the Chinese Culture City in Hong Kong. He is a powerful figure in Chinese cultural affairs and was known as the hidden boss of the entertainment sector, controlling influential platforms like CCTV's arts division through key associates. Some Hong Kong media outlets even revealed Jackie Chan's close ties to military factions. Thus, JC Chan's arrest is seen as a signal that Xi Jinping views Jackie as an artist in Jiang Zemin's faction. Rumors suggest that Jackie Chan even made a direct plea to Xi Jinping for assistance following his son's arrest, but his request was denied, further underscoring the political undertones of the situation. The Ace of Zheng Qinghong and Jiang Zemin's Faction Hong Kong's Next magazine conducted an investigation revealing Jackie Chan as the top ace of Zheng Qinghong and his associates. In 2011, to mark the 90th anniversary of the CCP, Dongping and Yang Shoucheng collaborated to fund the propaganda film The Founding of a Party, with Zheng Qinghuai serving as the film's chief advisor. Two years earlier, Dongping had produced Police Story 2013, where Jackie Chan played a Chinese police officer. The movie was released while Zhou Yongkang was still in power and received strong backing from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. Zheng Qinghuai, formerly China's Ministry of Culture envoy in Hong Kong, had been tasked since 2000 with gathering intelligence on groups opposing the CCP in Hong Kong, including Falun Gong. He also worked to recruit artists into the CCP's United Front campaign, ensuring their loyalty to Jiang Zemin's Faction during key moments. Jackie Chan has publicly expressed political alignment with Jiang Zemin's camp. For example, he supported Hong Kong's controversial Article 23, a law aimed at suppressing dissent and particularly targeting Falun Gong. In 2010, Next magazine photographed Jackie Chan in Beijing using an Audi with a military license plate marked Army B. In March 2013, netizens discovered that Jackie's black Audi bore the same Army B plates, which were traced to the political department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, PLA. From 2002 to 2004, Xu Kaihou, who was arrested in June 2014, headed this department. Jackie's use of a military-plated vehicle suggests he had long-standing connections with influential military figures. Moreover, Jackie Chan and Yang Shoucheng, a major figure in Hong Kong's entertainment industry and head of Emperor Entertainment Group, were considered close allies. Yang leveraged Jackie's fame to build connections, while Jackie relied on Yang's influence to maintain his status in the entertainment world. Yang Shoucheng has openly acknowledged his friendship with Zheng Qinghuai. He also had ties to criminal elements, including the Tsinghuan Association, a covert intelligence organization reportedly established by Zheng Qinghong and Zhou Yongkang. In 2012, Yang's Tsinghua Daily News published a series of articles smearing Falun Gong, with content even more extreme than pro-Beijing newspapers like Ta Kung Pao and Wen Weipo. On July 17, 2014, Taiwanese Apple Daily reported that Zheng Qinghuai had been arrested. With Zheng's downfall, Jackie Chan's diminishing power within the faction comes as no surprise. At 70, Jackie Chan has paid a high price for his stellar career. Now at 70, his health has noticeably declined. In recent public appearances, signs of aging have become evident. Close-up videos reveal sagging skin, numerous wrinkles, thinning hair, and a slower, hunched-over gait, at times requiring assistance to walk. Beyond his physical decline, Jackie has also faced emotional challenges in his later years. He admits feeling lonely, especially during quiet nights. Although he remains active in the entertainment industry, he has scaled back his workload due to his reduced stamina. In recent years, Jackie's once-thriving film career has also struggled. According to QQ, over the past six years, Jackie released six big-budget movies, with production costs reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. However, most of these projects were financial failures, signaling a decline in his star power. The actor disclosed a loss of 1.9 billion yuan, over 260 million dollars, from failed film projects. For instance, The Foreigner lost 300 million yuan. Detective Pu Sanling grossed only 160 million yuan against a production cost of 350 million yuan. And The Mystery of the Dragon Seal, a collaboration with Hollywood stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charles Dance, earned just 9.19 cents million dollars at the global box office, far short of its 50 million dollar budget, resulting in a loss of over 45 million dollars. What are your thoughts on Jackie Chan's life and career? Feel free to share your comments below. Thank you for watching and see you next time.