Getting to Know Jackie Chan’s Two Kids: Jaycee and Etta
Jackie Chan and his son Jaycee Chan attend a press conference announcing a concert at the Bird’s Nest Stadium on April 1, 2009.
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Cao Ji/Visual China Group /Getty
Jackie Chan, a globally recognized action star, maintains a notably private stance regarding his family life. Married to Joan Lin for over 40 years, the couple has one child, son Jaycee Chan. Jackie also has an estranged daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam, from an affair with former beauty queen Elaine Ng Yi-Lei.
Jackie and Joan married in 1982 and welcomed Jaycee that same year. Their family dynamic shifted seventeen years later when reports of Jackie’s affair with Elaine emerged, leading to Etta’s birth in 1999.
While Jackie has seldom discussed the affair publicly, he admitted to several personal failings in his memoir, Never Grow Up, acknowledging his infidelity and expressing regret about not being a good father or husband. "I’ve said in interviews that I haven’t been a good father or a good husband," he wrote, reflecting on his dedication to his son’s mother.
Jackie revealed that his demanding career left little time for family, stating, "I didn’t see much of my family at all. If you asked me now if I regret this, I’d say yes."
Jaycee Chan, 43
Jaycee Chan attends the opening ceremony of the late director Li Xing’s memorial film festival.
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Jaycee, born on December 3, 1982, experienced a childhood largely shaped by his mother’s influence due to Jackie’s busy schedule. In his memoir, Jackie expressed a lack of concern for Jaycee’s appearance at birth, focusing instead on his health. He recounted a realization of their shared physical traits shortly after Jaycee’s birth, which heightened his emotional connection.
Due to Jackie’s demanding career, Jaycee primarily spent time with his mother. "When he was a kid, he could only see me around 2 a.m.," Jackie recounted to the Los Angeles Times in 2015. After high school, Jaycee attended the College of William and Mary for two semesters before pursuing a career in Hong Kong as a singer and actor.
In a 2009 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jaycee expressed his desire to carve out his own identity, stating, "I’m lucky to have a dad who’s really famous, but (people) don’t really know me for who I am." To differentiate himself, he opted for smaller film roles and music instead of following directly in his father’s footsteps.
Although Jaycee found success in Hong Kong, he faced significant challenges, including a 2014 arrest in Beijing for marijuana possession, leading to a six-month prison sentence. In response, Jackie issued a heartfelt statement expressing disappointment and shared a desire for accountability. "I’m your dad, and I’ll always be with you," he assured Jaycee while acknowledging his own parental responsibilities.
Jackie later noted that the experience helped to strengthen their relationship, remarking on how working alongside Jaden Smith on The Karate Kid inspired him to be a more supportive father.
Etta Ng Chok Lam, 26
Andi Autumn and Etta Ng.
Andi Autumn/Instagram
Jackie’s daughter Etta Ng was born on November 19, 1999. The actor has remained largely silent regarding his estranged daughter, acknowledging the affair in his memoir as a "serious mistake." He reflected on the intense media scrutiny following the affair’s revelation, expressing a sense of helplessness about how to address it with his wife.
While Jackie’s spouse forgave him, there has been no reconciliation mentioned involving Etta. In 2015, Etta openly shared her feelings about their relationship, stating, "He is not my dad. I have no feelings for him."
Etta gained headlines in 2018 when she disclosed experiences of homelessness with her partner, Andi Autumn, claiming it was a result of homophobia from their families. The couple later married in November 2018, emphasizing in social media posts that love transcends biological ties.
