Jackie Chan Buries Father in Australia, Mourns Death

Jackie Chan laid his father Charles ‘Charlie’ Chan, 93, to rest in Australia next to his mother and pays tribute to them both.

Martial artist, actor and producer Jackie Chan born Chan Kong Sang, 53, laid his father Charles “Charlie” Chan, 93, to rest on Saturday, March 8, in Canberra, Australia next to his mother, Lee Lee Chan, who died in 2002.

In the 1960’s, his father emigrated to Canberra, Australia to work as head cook for the American embassy and Chan was sent to the Chinese Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School run by Master Yu Jim Yuen. His father then later become the owner of his own restaurant. Charles Chan lived in Australia for more than 40 years, but spent his final years in Hong Kong with Jackie Chan after the death of his wife Lee Lee Chan.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral held at a winery which included the U.S. ambassador and Chinese deputy envoy, U.S. vice president Al Gore and film director Quentin Tarantino who both read out messages of support.

The star [Chan] and his son traveled from the service carrying a large picture of Charles Chan while on their way to the cemetery where the casket was garnered with roses and fishing mementoes alongside it.

“It’s a hard day. I loved my father so much because he did so much for me when I was young. We had a very poor family and he left Hong Kong to support himself. He was just the greatest father for me,” stated Chan.

Jackie Chan’s father Charles “Charlie” Chan died at the Hong Kong hospital on February 26 after battling with prostate cancer.

In related news, Jackie Chan paid tribute to his late parents Sunday by funding a new science education center at the country’s top cancer research institution, the Jackie Chan Science Centre. The center was opened by Chan and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at the Australian National University which was paid for by Chan’s donations to cancer research in honor of his parents, who were long-time residents in Canberra, Australia.

“My father passed away last week. So it is about time I did something for Canberra to remember my parents. I really thank you Australia and Canberra for taking care of my parents for 46 years,” Chan told reporters.