Regarding
JACKIE CHAN:

Title:
Why are you a fan?

From 10th May 2000 (JACKIE-L mailing list JACKIE-L@egroups.com )

I feel he is an incredible role model for people of every race, religion,
upbringing, and generation.  He has overcome such incredible odds in his
life, and although the challenges of life have changed, he continues to
meet his challenges head on.  He always remains true to himself, and in
doing that, remains true to his fans.  His amazing energy, and enthusiasm
is contagious.  His sense of humor, and comic timing are impeccable.  He
has an integrity that is severely lacking in most Hollywood actors, and
directors.  He continually gives his all to entertaining us as his fans,
but he continues to use his fame to make other differences in the lives
of so many through supporting charitable foundations, and influencing
children to obtain their full education  and become great at whatever
they want to do. 

I find myself holding him up as an example of great influence in general,
everyday conversations, to provoke thought in, and inspire the people in
my life.  Also, through my interest in Jackie I have been blessed to come
in contact with so many sweet, and wonderful people who love and respect
Jackie just as I do.  He has managed to bring people from all over the
world together in our mutual interest.

I can honestly say that, as far as world influence is concerned, there
are only two who are far above Jackie in the lives of so many, and that
is my Father in Heaven, and his son Jesus Christ.  I believe that God has
blessed us with someone like Jackie to help influence us to stay true to
our moral course, but he has chosen to show us too, that in Jackie's
humanity, he has made mistakes.  Instead of running from those mistakes,he has taken responsibility for them. 

I could probably come up with a few more reason's for loving Jackie, and
respecting him the way I do, but I'm afraid I have gone on long enough.
I know that his warm, and loving fans all understand exactly what I mean.

Yvonne M. Wood ( heartofwood1@juno.com)

I remain a fan because Jackie's films continue to blow me
away -- even the ones I don't care for as much as others.

There's always something worth watching in a Chan film, and very often, there's something more to discover, even after the 20th viewing.

He's not always the best at everything IMHO, but he's unique
in so many ways. That's not to say I'm less of a Chan fan
than the next person ... it merely means that my viewpoint on
fandom and how I enjoy what and who I enjoy may be different
from someone else.  Also, he is not my sole film interest -- but
between Jackie and the other, I have wonderful bases for
contrast and comparison -- what is lacking in one is made up for
in aces by the other and vice versa.  Ah, what fun it is for me! :-D
That, my friends, is a key to life:  One never can have too
much fun, and Jackie's films provide plenty!  Bring on the Chan
films!

I didn't become a fan of Jackie Chan because of Jackie The
Person; I became a fan of what Jackie Chan does on film, and
I remain so these 4 years later because he's always looking for
and presenting the interesting and the clever (look at so many
of the small bits that are so memorable in his films) and he still
is a wonderful cinematic example of what the human body can do.

He's neither a savior nor a great inspiration to me in my life; he did
not land on my doorstep during a crisis or when I needed a boost.
Rather, he has given me a community of friends who enjoy a
common interest.  To me, that's a gift of *huge* proportions, for
friends and loved ones with whom to share an interest are very important.
At least, to me they are, so forgive me if I choose to gush about my
Chan friends more than I would gush about Jackie Chan himself ... my
Chan friends are a warmer part of my life :-) 

Some actors do strive for better achievements both for their own
creative satisfaction and for their fans, but Jackie somehow has
created an entire world, a universe of Chan-ism, that perhaps other
stars have not achieved. Most likely, they do not chose to live their
lives so fan-oriented as Jackie does for their own private reasons; I
accept that as a reasonable thing. Jackie has chosen (consciously
or subsconsciously) to live not only for his movies but also for his
fans, and in many cases, his fans live for him.  However you see
yourself fitting into this World Of Chan, he offers a win-win situation
to those who want it. 

That's pretty incredible.

Next testimony ... :-)

Jeanne ChanManFan@aol.com

    Oh my where do I begin?  I've been a fan for 9 years now and I admit at first I was a silent fan because not too many people knew who Jackie was in the US.  Until 1995 of course.  What keeps me going to favor Jackie?  Looking forward to something new, his warm personality, and the dedication he puts in his films.  He leaves his door open for anyone to walk through.  He puts his life on the line to give us the thrill we dream of.  However for me, it's the comical side of Jackie Chan that keeps me thrilled.  I love to laugh and he makes me laugh.  He can make the world laugh a hundred times over with just a single expression.  Through Jackie I have met so many other wonderful Chan Fans who I can relate to and are just as enthusiastic about Jackie as I am. 

Carrie (Jade) jadeeyezzz@aol.com

Big question...I think the short answer is that I like
his honesty to both himself and his fans and I like his
lack of pretence.  I remember reading how after one
particular sequence during the filming of First Strike
he was out with everyone else helping to clean up.  The
same sort of thing happened on location in Melbourne
with Mr Nice Guy.  He could be a star, stomp off to his
dressing room and say call me when you've finished but
the fact that he has consideration for others makes him
so much more than just a star.

Ian D.G. chillie-bin@connect.net.au

I am a Jackie fan for many reasons, one of which is the fact that Jackie is
so unique and covers such a diverse range of talents - actor, stuntman,
director, and even stuntman, he's done it all. For the most part, he's also
done it better than any of the Hollywood action wannabes.
Another big reason is the fact that while the Hollywood action heroes play
at being action heroes on screen, Jackie really only ever portrays himself
on screen. The fact that he can just be himself and STILL have such a hugefan following is a great gift.
I guess I've also remained a fan because of who Jackie is - he seems to beone heck of a guy! Honest, charming, kind, and, above all, he's human.
The human side is what really makes me watch his movies over and over
again - when he's doing a dangerous stunt, it's really him. When he's
acting, he's acting as himself. When he's fighting, he never portrays
himself as a superhero - just as himself. I don't think any other star has
enough honesty to really show themselves on screen, or even in interviews.
They always wear that glitzy Hollywood mask that seems to come with stardom, while Jackie Chan merely plays Jackie Chan, and hope that the audiences will love him.
Which we do, of course!

Debbie dee.dee@ntlworld.com

I'm a fairly short-time fan, having become "rabid" only in the past
six months.  However, I still have not found any reason not to stick
with my wild admiration of the man and his work.  He is truly an
interesting individual as well as an extremely hard worker with a
vast and varied talent to entertain.

He has power and therefore authority through his directing, holding
himself and others to the highest standards to make the best movies
he can.  Yet, one hears only praise from those he's worked with,
never that he's abused that authority.  That's amazing and laudable! 

And though he has this "big brother" side to him, he chooses to
reveal a humbler, more diffident and comic personality in his films. 
I find him utterly charming and charismatic and yet vulnerable and
sensitive of those around him.  What's not to like?  I wish I had
more of his qualities.

And there's that total giving of himself and his art to his fans.  I
almost feel driven to give something back to him in return for what
he's so eagerly and at great sacrifice given us.  In some ways, I
feel almost sorry for him, because he's made his fans/movies more
important than his own personal life/relationships.  And yet, I think
that's exactly why he draws me...hmmm, a paradox...

Hope that makes sense...

Val (kickingkat) ebony_sash@hotmail.com

I'm a Jackie fan since my childhood here in Brazil,I used to see his movieson tv, but I became a "Chan  addicted" about six months ago.When I saw "Who am I" on cable.Fascinating movie.I literally fell for Jackie.It was Love at first FIGHT ! :-)

I admire him for his work? his dangerous fight scenes? his movies? Sure for
all that .But I truly admire him for his personality.His sense of humor
gives him charisma to conquer more and more hundreds of fans around theworld these days. Most actors in this genre does not have charisma.Most of them aren`t expressive as he is.Does not know how to enjoy themselves or their work. I don't believe his success is due JUST to his capabilities. Of course, he is an amazing fighter,a REAL MASTER, a modern Dragon. But he's talent goes beyond that part. He's truly a very inteligent man, and if you read some of his interviews,you'll know what I am talking about.I love the way he talks about life.
He's a well prepared and capable director, producer,comedian, singer!  he's
done of all.Jackie full fill my expectations.He also demonstrates that he's
part of a group, a team he works with,not that he's the TEAM by himself. I
love his lack of pretence, as Ian refreshed our memory so well.Thank you
Ian!

As Val described , " he's a extremely hard worker with a vast and varied
talent to entertain." very well said! and Debbie, I also pray for him. I get
worry about all the risk his put himself everytime he's on the beggining of
a new project. May God continue to protect our man in everything he does.

Márcia marcia_pontes@stones.com

I have only been a fan of Jackies for about a year and
a half and it has been a wonderful year and a half. I
have gotten to know so much about Jackie and have also
gotten to know SO many wonderful other Chanfans. What
other celebrities can and have brought SO many fans
together in such a way. I certainly can't think of
any, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.
Chanfans are just about the friendliest people I know.

I'm sure I will ALWAYS be a fan of Jackies because he
is such a down to earth guy. Unlike alot of other
celebrities, he is totally devoted to his fans and
takes the time to be with them. I have never heard of
any other celebrity who have Fan Tours and invite the
fans to their "home turf" for fun, games and a chance
to meet them. Again, that does not mean no one else
has done this, I just have never heard of it.

I guess like many others have said, Jackie is real and
he doesn't put himself above anyone else just because
he is a super star. It seems alot of other stars think
they are better than the average person just because
they made it to the top - so to speak. And I
understand that they have worked very hard to get to
where they are, but that still does not make them any
better than anyone else. And Jackie seems to have this
in focus. I really admire him for that.

Not only is Jackie very appreciative of his fans,
Willie and his staff seem to be so friendly with them
also. You just don't hear about that much.

The other reason I will be a fan of his forever is
that he is such a respectable person. When he talks
about wanting peace in the world, he is actually doing
something to attain that. He is always very gracious
to others. Even when they may not say such nice things
about him, he is still respectful to them and about
them. It must be hard to be so gracious especially to
the media when they say such things about him and
intrude on his private life, but he still seems to
keep his kool for the most part. I really respect him
for that.

Well, those are just a few reasons I think I will
always be a fan of his. Of course, I absolutely love
his movies and his talent. I am so amazed at the
talent packed into this man. Oh, and his singing, I
just love his singing!

Ok, that's it, I'm done. Thanks for hearing me out.

Suebee suebe33@yahoo.com



More to come soon!

Go to Jackie Chan interview part I