Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li

The bio:

Jackie Chan

Born: April 7, 1954, in Hong Kong

Birth name: Chang Kong Sang -- childhood nickname Pao Pao

Early years: His parents were so poor that when he was his born, they considered putting him up for adoption because they couldn’t feed him or pay their medical bill. At 6, he was indentured for a decade to the Chinese Opera Research Institute and soon joined the Seven Little Fortunes, a performance group of the school’s best students. At 17, he worked as a stuntman in the Bruce Lee classics “Fist of Fury” and “Enter the Dragon” under the name of Chen Yuen Long. Became a superstar with “Drunken Master” in 1978. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

May 31, 2013 4:34 PM PT

The bio:

Jet Li

Born: April 26, 1963, in Beijing

Birth name: Lil Lianjie

Early years: Began training at age 8 in the martial art of wushu, on the Beijing wushu team during the All China games. He went on to win 15 gold medals and one silver in Chinese championships. His success led to his being named a “national treasure.” His fame as a sports star led to him being cast in martial arts movies first in China and then in Hong Kong. (Jennifer S. Altman / for the Times)

Versatility

Jackie Chan: Besides acting, Chan has directed numerous films including “Operation Condor,” “Police Story” and “Police Story II,” written, produced and provided action and stunt choreography and direction for his films. He is also a popular singer who has recorded songs for his films.

Jet Li: He’s concentrated mainly on acting, though he provided the story idea for 2001’s “Kiss of the Dragon” and has produced several of his films, including 2006’s “Jet Li’s Fearless” and 2005’s “Unleashed.”

Winner: Chan has his fingers in every aspect of production. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Philanthropy

Jackie Chan: Wanting to be a role model for children, Chan has never played a villain and curbs the foul language on film. He funded construction of the Jackie Chan Science Center at the Australian National University and established schools in China’s poorest regions. A UNICEF goodwill ambassador, he has worked for conservation, against animal abuse and spearheaded disaster relief efforts for flood victims in mainland China and of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Two years ago, he announced that half of his assets would be donated to charity upon his death.

Jet Li: A Tibetan Buddhist, Li has been a “philanthropic ambassador” to the Red Cross Society of China for the last two years. After his experiences in the Maldives when the tsunami hit during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake -- he struggled to get his young daughter to safety -- he created the nonprofit the One Foundation that supports international disaster relief efforts, as well as mental health and suicide prevention.

Winner: Both are swells when it comes to humanitarian causes. (Kin Cheung / Associated Press)

Personal life

Jackie Chan: Married Taiwanese actress Lin Feng-Jao in 1982. The couple had a son, Jaycee Chan, now a singer and actor. Also has a daughter with former Miss Asia, Elaine Ng. (The two became an item while making “Gorgeous.”)

Jet Li: He married Beijing wushu team member and his “Shaolin Temple” series costar Huang Qiuyan in 1987. They had two children and divorced three years later. For the last nine years, he’s been married to Hong Kong actress Nina Li Chi. They have two children. In fact, Li turned down Chow-Yun Fat’s role in Ang Lee‘s 2000 hit “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” because he had promised his wife he wouldn’t make any films during her pregnancy.

Winner: Li. (We like the fact that Li gave up the role for his pregnant wife.) (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Entertainment & Arts

Jackie Chan vs. Jet Li

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