How Tall Is Jackie Chan?
Quick Answer
Jackie Chan's Height
📏 5'8" (173 cm) barefoot — CelebHeights estimate
📋 Claims / commonly listed: 5'8"-5'10" (varies by source)
⚖️ Weight: ~161 lbs (73 kg)
🎂 Born: April 7, 1954, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
🌍 Nationality: Hong Kong Chinese
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Jackie Chan's Real Height Explained
Jackie Chan stands at approximately 5'8" (173 cm) barefoot, according to CelebHeights{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"}. His height is one of the more debated among action stars — various sources list him anywhere from 5'8" to 5'10" (173-178 cm), a wide range that reflects the inconsistency of height reporting in the film industry, where camera angles and footwear can create very different impressions. The 5'8" estimate from CelebHeights, supported by photographic comparisons with known-height co-stars, is considered the most reliable.
At 5'8", Chan is about an inch shorter than the average American man's height of 5'9", and roughly average for an adult male in Hong Kong, where the mean height is approximately 5'7" (171 cm). By Hollywood action star standards, however, Chan is notably compact — most of his Western counterparts stand at 6'0" or taller.
What makes Chan's height discussion uniquely interesting is that his body has been, arguably, the most abused instrument in cinema history. He has broken virtually every bone in his body performing his own stunts across more than 150 films — including his skull, nose, cheekbone, ankle, and most of his fingers. He holds the Guinness World Record{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} for most stunts by a living actor. At 5'8" and 161 lbs, this frame has endured more physical punishment than any other in the entertainment industry.
The Height Debate: Hollywood's Most Understated Action Star
Jackie Chan's height variance across sources — from 5'8" to 5'10" — is wider than for most celebrities. This is partly because his career spans both Hong Kong and Hollywood, two industries with different measurement conventions and different incentives around height reporting.
In Hong Kong cinema, where average male heights are shorter than in the West, Chan's 5'8" was never a topic of discussion. He was average or slightly above average for his environment, and Hong Kong action cinema prioritized martial arts skill and acrobatic ability over physical size. Chan's competitors and collaborators — stars like Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao — were of similar or shorter stature.
In Hollywood, however, Chan's height placed him well below the typical action star. Arnold Schwarzenegger (6'0.5") had 4.5 inches on him, Sylvester Stallone (5'9") had about an inch, and modern action stars like Dwayne Johnson (6'2.5") and Chris Hemsworth (6'2.75") tower over him by 6-7 inches. Hollywood routinely uses camera angles, platform shoes, and strategic blocking to make shorter actors appear taller, and Chan has undoubtedly benefited from these techniques in his Western films.
Chan's on-screen partner in the Rush Hour trilogy, Chris Tucker (listed at about 6'1"), was significantly taller, and their height difference became part of the comedic dynamic between the two characters. In the films, Tucker's lankier frame contrasted with Chan's compact, coiled energy — a visual shorthand for their different fighting styles and personalities.
Jackie Chan's Height Compared to Other Celebrities
Table: Jackie Chan vs Fellow Action Stars
| Celebrity | Height | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Chan | 5'8" (173 cm) | — |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger | 6'0.5" (184 cm) | +4.5 inches |
| Sylvester Stallone | 5'9" (175 cm) | +1 inch |
| Dwayne Johnson | 6'2.5" (189 cm) | +6.5 inches |
| Chris Hemsworth | 6'2.75" (190 cm) | +6.75 inches |
| Tom Cruise | 5'7.75" (172 cm) | -0.25 inches |
→ See Jackie Chan vs Arnold Schwarzenegger side by side → See Jackie Chan vs Dwayne Johnson side by side
Notable Height Differences
Perhaps the most comforting comparison for Chan is with Tom Cruise (5'7.75") — the two are virtually identical in height, separated by a mere quarter inch. Both men are among the most successful action stars in cinema history, and both have famously insisted on performing many of their own stunts. The fact that the two biggest stunt-performing stars in Hollywood are both under 5'8.5" is a powerful counter to the idea that action heroes need to be tall.
Against the classic action trio of the 1980s-90s, Chan falls in the middle. Arnold Schwarzenegger (6'0.5") has 4.5 inches on him, while Stallone (5'9") has just an inch. The modern generation of action stars runs taller — Dwayne Johnson (6'2.5") and Chris Hemsworth (6'2.75") represent a shift toward bigger, taller leading men in the superhero and franchise era.
Chan stands about an inch taller than Conor McGregor (5'8.5") — well, actually a half-inch shorter — putting both combat-focused celebrities at essentially the same height. He has 5.5 inches on Kevin Hart (5'2.5"), with whom he co-starred in some promotional appearances.
How Tall Is Jackie Chan Compared to You?
Wondering how you'd look standing next to Jackie Chan? Our free height comparison tool lets you enter your own height and see a visual side-by-side comparison. You can even share your result — imagine posting "I'm taller than the greatest stuntman in cinema history!" on social media.
→ Compare Your Height to Jackie Chan — Try It Free
Jackie Chan: Height in Context
Jackie Chan's 5'8" frame is, without exaggeration, the most battle-tested body in entertainment history. Trained at the China Drama Academy{rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"} (Peking Opera School) from age 6, Chan spent his childhood developing the acrobatic, martial arts, and acting skills that would define his career. The physical demands placed on his 5'8", 161-lb body over 60+ years of filmmaking beggar belief.
The partial catalog of Chan's injuries reads like a medical encyclopedia: fractured skull (twice), broken nose (three times), shattered cheekbone, dislocated pelvis, broken ankle, crushed chest vertebra, split knee cartilage, and fractured or broken fingers too numerous to count reliably. He has nearly died on set multiple times. All of this damage was absorbed by a compact frame that many Hollywood executives initially thought was too small to become an international star.
What Chan proved — across more than 150 films, from Drunken Master to Rush Hour to the Police Story series — is that in martial arts cinema, speed, agility, and creativity matter infinitely more than size. His comedic fighting style, which incorporated improvised weapons, environmental acrobatics, and physical comedy, was specifically designed to work with his compact build rather than against it. A taller fighter might overpower opponents with reach and leverage; Chan outmaneuvered them with flexibility, timing, and sheer inventiveness.
At 70 years old, Chan continues to make films and perform many of his own action sequences, albeit with more assistance than in his younger years. His 5'8" frame, while showing the accumulated wear of decades of self-inflicted punishment, remains remarkably functional. He is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and one of the most recognized faces on the planet — evidence that in cinema, as in life, the size of the fighter's heart matters more than the height of the fighter.
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Quick Facts About Jackie Chan
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chan Kong-sang (Jackie Chan) |
| Height (barefoot) | 5'8" (173 cm) |
| Height (commonly listed) | 5'8"-5'10" (varies) |
| Weight | ~161 lbs (73 kg) |
| Date of Birth | April 7, 1954 |
| Place of Birth | Victoria Peak, Hong Kong |
| Nationality | Hong Kong Chinese |
| Profession | Actor, Martial Artist, Director |
| Known For | 150+ films, performs own stunts, Guinness record for most stunts by a living actor |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Jackie Chan in feet and inches?
Jackie Chan stands at approximately 5'8" tall, which is 173 centimeters or 1.73 meters. Various sources list him between 5'8" and 5'10", but 5'8" is the most widely accepted estimate.
How tall is Jackie Chan in cm?
Jackie Chan is approximately 173 cm tall, equivalent to 5'8" in imperial measurements.
Is Jackie Chan short for an action star?
By Hollywood standards, yes. At 5'8", Chan is shorter than most Western action stars, who typically stand 6'0" or taller. However, he is about the same height as Tom Cruise (5'7.75"), another major action star known for doing his own stunts. In Hong Kong cinema, his height was unremarkable.
Who is taller, Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee?
Jackie Chan at 5'8" (173 cm) was slightly taller than Bruce Lee, who stood approximately 5'7" to 5'7.5" (171 cm). Both men were below average height by Hollywood standards but became two of the most iconic martial arts stars in cinema history.
How much does Jackie Chan weigh?
Jackie Chan weighs approximately 161 lbs (73 kg). His lean, agile build was essential for the acrobatic fighting style that has been his trademark throughout his career.
Related Celebrity Heights
- Arnold Schwarzenegger Height: 6'0.5" (184 cm)
- Sylvester Stallone Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
- Tom Cruise Height: 5'7.75" (172 cm)
- Dwayne Johnson Height: 6'2.5" (189 cm)
- Chris Hemsworth Height: 6'2.75" (190 cm)
- Kevin Hart Height: 5'2.5" (159 cm)