Jackie Chan at 70: how the Hong Kong action hero became a meme, coined a shampoo catchphrase, inspired The Matrix and moved into Chinese politics … but what is ‘the curse’ all about?

Apr 7 , 2024

In the 1990s, Jackie Chan paved the way for other Hong Kong action stars. Photo: Getty Images

Kung fung hero Jackie Chan is among the biggest Chinese names in global cinema, inspiring Hollywood productions and setting the stage for other Hong Kong actions stars like Jet Li and Donnie Yen

While 2023 saw Chan star alongside John Cena in the action film Hidden Strike, he’s also a proud supporter of the Chinese Communist Party, and even served two terms in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

Jackie Chan is undoubtedly one of the biggest Chinese names in international cinema. Before entering Hollywood in the 1990s, tracing Bruce Lee’s path, Chan had already captivated cinema fans worldwide with films like Supercop and Rumble in the Bronx that put Hong Kong on the map as a powerhouse of action films. His signature kung fu choreography inspired Hollywood productions such as The Matrix trilogy and paved the way for fellow action stars like Jet Li and Donnie Yen on the global stage.

Jackie Chan in Police Story, from 1985, which he also directed. Photo: Golden Harvest

In recent years, his prolific film career has slowed as he’s turned more selective. He’s also taken to the political circuit and expressed interest in joining the Chinese Communist Party.

Jackie Chan in Rumble in the Bronx, 1995, which expanded his popularity to North American audiences. Photo: New Line Cinema

Chan’s last significant Hollywood role saw him star alongside flashy actor John Cena in the 2023 film Hidden Strike.

To celebrate his 70th birthday today, April 7, we look at how Jackie Chan influenced culture, both on and off the silver screens, and where the legend is at today.

Jackie Chan and John Cena in Hidden Strike (2023), his most recent Hollywood action film. Credit: Netflix

How Jackie Chan became a meme

The Jackie Chan meme everyone knows. Photo: @jackiechanmeme/Instagram

Anyone who’s spent time online will have come across many memes featuring Chan with both hands up next to his head, seemingly expressing confusion and disbelief. However, for audiences at home, the meme that often first comes to mind is him next to a bottle of shampoo from his appearance in a television commercial for Chinese-made brand Bawang. In the television spot, Chan delivers a monologue about why he was suspicious of the claims of the shampoo and how, upon trying it, he discovered his hair becoming darker, shiner and softer. Famously, he described the new-found bounce of his locks phonetically as “duang”, solidifying that particular snippet in the ad forever in memeland.

What is the “Jackie Chan curse?”

Bawang company suffered significant losses in 2018, taking a hit like various other brands the actor vouched for, including Hong Kong Airlines, California Fitness and the Volkswagen Caddy. This led netizens to proclaim the phenomenon of the “Jackie Chan curse”.