Who Is Jaycee Chan? Meet Jackie Chan's 'Nepo Baby' Son; His Life After Prison and Public Scandal

Jaycee Chan is the only son of global martial arts icon Jackie Chan. At one point, he has also dipped his toes in the entertainment industry. Once poised to follow in his father's legendary footsteps, Jaycee faded into obscurity after incurring legal issues.

In 2014, he was formally charged with 'the crime of sheltering others to take drugs' after testing positive for marijuana. He was jailed for six months in China, where, at the time, was enveloped by an aggressive anti-narcotics campaign.

As far as a 'nepo baby' could go, Jaycee is a case study of how to move on from expectations of the public eye. Here's what we know about him, including his background and artistry.

Background and Life as Jackie Chan's Son

Jaycee Chan was born in Los Angeles, California on 3 December 1982. He's the only son of Jackie Chan and Taiwanese actress Joan Lin.

He studied Asian languages at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. However, he dropped out in 2003 to move to Hong Kong. During this time, he pursued a career in film and music.

Later that year, he would release his first album and make appearances in Chinese films. This included The Drummer (2007), a Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee.

While his high-profile lineage earned him opportunities in the entertainment industry, it also got him scrutiny. He told The Hollywood Reporter the following in 2009:

'I'm lucky to have a dad who's really famous, but people don't really know me for who I am. They just know me as Jackie Chan's son.' He also told The New York Times that he focused on his music career and avoided action films to stand out.

'The hardest part for me is to let people know what I'm really capable of doing on my own,' he added. While he wasn't as prominent as his father, he had a steady presence in Chinese entertainment until 2014.

Legal Issues and Arrest

Jaycee's career came to a halt in August 2014, as he was arrested in China for drug-related charges. As mentioned, he tested positive for marijuana. The police also seized more than 100 grams of the substance from his apartment in Beijing.

He would end up serving six months in prison. The scandal hit his public image hard and had a lasting impact on his career. Per People, Jackie Chan also spoke about his son's legal issues, expressing heartbreak over his arrest.

'When I first heard the news, I was absolutely enraged. As a public figure, I feel very ashamed; as his dad, I'm very sad and disappointed,' he said. He also said that he took responsibility for not teaching his son well.

Life After Prison Release

Jaycee, now 42, has worked on rebuilding his legacy outside of his father's shadow since his prison release. In 2021, he started his own Tequila brand, Los 7 Angeles. In addition, he released a song in 2024 after a 10-year hiatus from music.

Seen as a personal piece, In Search for Darkness expresses navigating through confusion and setbacks to find oneself again. Interestingly, its music video was released on the 10th anniversary of his arrest for drug possession.

The song joins The Best of Me (ft. Gong Shi Yi) and I Don't Want No Trouble (ft. Jackie Chan) as his best known titles. Speaking of, Jackie has also said that his son's prison sentence helped him mature, and has improved their relationship.