The action star and his daughter have a strained relationship. He rarely speaks of her. On her end, she does not see him as her parent and keeps her distance — both emotionally and publicly.
Jackie Chan’s youngest child, Etta Ng, was born from his relationship with actress Elaine Ng. After coming out as gay, Etta ended up in a difficult situation.
She first introduced her partner, Canadian influencer, Andi Autumn, to the world in 2017 through a series of heartfelt Instagram posts. One of her photos featured a rainbow backdrop with hashtags celebrating her identity, while Andi confirmed their relationship on her own page.
The couple received overwhelming support online, something Etta hadn’t expected. She shared how deeply moved she was by the encouragement, especially in contrast to the criticism from media outlets in Hong Kong. Etta expressed a desire to use her experience to uplift others who feel unseen.
Autumn, who is 12 years her senior, also shared her feelings, describing Etta as someone who helped her express herself freely. Despite ongoing challenges, she felt their bond made it worthwhile, stating that waking up beside Etta made everything else fade into the background.
But behind the affection and public support, their private reality was far more difficult. In April 2018, then-18-year-old Etta and her partner, posted a brief video online, revealing they had been left without shelter in New York and were forced to sleep under a bridge.
“We’ve been homeless for a month due to homophobic parents. We pretty much slept under a bridge, and other things,” Ng shared.
The couple, who later married in November 2018 and whose nuptials made international headlines, said they had turned to police, hospitals, food banks, and LGBTQ community shelters for help but were turned away. “All of them just don’t give a [expletive],” Ng added.
Meanwhile, Autumn noted, “We will have to be split up if we go to any kind of government facility.” Feeling desperate, Ng stated, “We don’t know what to do at this point. We just want to let people know what’s going on because at this point it seems ridiculous that no one can help. I don’t understand.”
In response to the growing attention, Etta’s mother decided to speak out. In an interview, Elaine dismissed her daughter’s claims and emphasized the importance of taking responsibility. “I feel that if they have no money, they should go find work,” she stated.
AAccording to her, filming a video to announce their financial troubles and reveal Etta’s father was unnecessary. She believes people across the world work hard and do not depend on another person’s fame for support.
While Elaine was vocal about the situation, Jackie remained silent. Despite earning $49 million in 2017 and starring in films that have grossed more than $2.6 billion, he has not addressed his daughter publicly.
Jackie Chan and his daughter crying while watching some of his old movie scenes is the most wholesome thing you’ll watch today.
Thanks for our childhood legend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SnCDFR9X2Q
— 𝕋𝔼𝔾𝔸™ 🌍 (@Tegadeyforyou) July 3, 2023
Even with that admission, Etta has remained distant from Jackie. She once shared that she felt no emotional connection to him, describing him as a biological parent who played no role in her life. Though she had seen his films growing up, she did not consider him a father — only as a public figure known for his acting.
Raising Etta on her own proved challenging for Elaine, especially as she battled personal issues, including alcohol abuse. Matters worsened when she was arrested and later released following allegations of child cruelty.
She and her daughter had been living in an apartment in Happy Valley, but their arrangement shifted after Etta came out as a lesbian, left school, and moved to North Point with her 30-year-old girlfriend, Canadian model Andi Autumn.
The mother and daughter duo’s relationship faced strains over the years but has since reportedly improved. Their relationship may have seen improvement, but Etta’s stance on her father remained unchanged.
At 15, she expressed no interest in meeting Jackie and said she had moved past the pain caused by years of judgment tied to her family history. Confident in her identity, she stated that being teased about her background no longer affected her, and that she accepted herself as Etta Ng without concern for how others viewed her.
Still, public perception continued to cast a long shadow. In a separate interview a few years later, Etta shared that she did not need support from Jackie and had no reason to judge him, as he was essentially a stranger in her life.
Looking back, she admitted that her past remarks may have been impulsive, but with age, she had become more thoughtful. The Hong Kong native also reflected on how, from the moment she was born, the public seemed to know her before she even understood herself.
People closely watched her every move, expecting her to follow in her father’s footsteps. “People thought I had a relationship with my dad, so everyone kept saying ‘she’s a rich girl,'” she recalled.
Meanwhile, the actor remained quiet about their strained relationship. When asked about Etta, he remarked, “Sometimes it is better to not talk about certain things. Let nature take its course.”
In his book, “Never Grow Up,” he did not mention his daughter by name but opened up about the affair with Elaine. He admitted it was a “serious mistake” and described the media fallout as overwhelming.
Who Is Etta Ng Chok Lam? All about Jackie Chan’s Estranged Daughter https://t.co/7WkcEqwJLv
— Hiptoro (@HiptoroNews) November 3, 2023
To his surprise, Lin reacted with grace. When he called her from abroad after the scandal broke, she remained composed. She told him there was no need to explain and expressed only one concern — that no one involved would hurt one another.
Lin offered to stand by his side, along with their son Jaycee, and urged him to focus on handling the situation, assuring him she was fine. Shaken by her response, Jackie broke down in tears. Alone afterward, he confronted his reflection, calling himself a “real bastard” for keeping his guard up while Lin had remained open and understanding.
That moment shifted something within him. Acknowledging how badly he had failed her, he realized he needed to make things right. A few days later, he returned home and gathered his family for their first-ever meeting. There, he apologized to Lin and Jaycee for what he described as an “unforgivable mistake.”
“When I started to empathize with her, I came to respect her more and more. She is a strong woman, stronger than I am in so many ways,” he said.
He recalled having many girlfriends in his younger years and disclosed that the wedding took place quietly in a Los Angeles coffee shop. Despite their marriage, Jackie has faced long-standing rumors of multiple affairs during his time with Lin.
Jackie once said he would not be leaving his fortune to Jaycee. Instead, he planned to donate his entire estate — reportedly worth $350 million — to charity.
Jackie Chan and his son Jaycee Chan on April 1, 2009, in Beijing, China | Source: Getty Images
He explained that if Jaycee was capable, he could earn his own money, but if not, the inheritance would be wasted. Jackie also expressed regret over not having pushed his son to join the military, believing the experience might have shaped his character. Jaycee, who has pursued work as both an actor and musician, remains largely out of the spotlight today.
Hong Kong star Jaycee Fong, son of Jackie Chan, on June 19, 2005, in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China | Source: Getty Images
Jackie’s public success has long stood in contrast to his complicated personal life. From his estranged relationship with Etta to his candid admissions about past mistakes with Lin and Jaycee, his private world has often made headlines.
While he has chosen silence on some matters, his actions and words reveal a man grappling with regret and accountability. Behind the global fame lies a story marked by personal missteps, strained bonds, and unresolved wounds.
