In his new biography entitled “Never Grow Up,” movie star Jackie Chan reveals details about what he calls his “wicked” early life, like sleeping with dozens of prostitutes, alcoholism, gambling and abusing his young son during a fight with his wife.
Chan recalled that he was quite the mischievous young man and expressed regret for not learning how to read, write and do math when he was a student since he was busy pulling pranks on others.
At the age of 15, Chan entered into his first relationship with girl named Chang. Despite Chang’s loyalty to him, Chan recalls that he was a “terrible boyfriend” and often left Hong Kong to avoid her and deliberately picked fights with her for fun.
When Chan began making money, he started to think of his wealth as a way to get revenge against those who looked down upon him and spent his money on prostitutes, alcohol and gambling. According to the Daily Mail, Chan said:
“I started to carry large amounts of cash at all times. After you live in poverty cash gives you a sense of security. I like having lots of people around me and every meal was with a big gang. Around 10 years ago I spent $2 million in one year paying for other people’s meals. I gave out extravagant gifts too; watches, cars, custom-made leather jackets, cases of expensive wine.”
Chan also recalled that he believed his friends’ claims that his wife, Joan Lin, had only gotten pregnant with their son, Jaycee Chan, because she was after his money. In 1999, Chan allegedly cheated on his wife with Miss Asia 1990 Elaine Wu. The biography makes absolutely no mention of his illegitimate daughter with Wu, Etta.
Chan recalls that at some point after the cheating scandal, he lashed out at his young son, throwing the child across the room into a sofa, during a fight with his wife. The biography reveals that the incident “terrified” Lin and Chan later apologized for his actions.
64-year-old Chan pinned his past actions on his immaturity and insecurities for his bad behavior. He revealed in the biography that he faced a mirror and told his reflection, “you’re a real bastard,” before he took measures to change his ways.