HONG KONG, Oct 26 — Jackie Chan has paid tribute to Willie Chan following news of his death yesterday. He was 76.
Ming Pao Daily News reported that the Malaysian-born film producer and long-time manager of action star Chan died in his sleep.
The death was confirmed by director Stanley Kwan, who said he got a call from Willie Chan's family. Chan was found unresponsive on Tuesday morning and sent to hospital, where his death was confirmed, Kwan was quoted as saying.
Jackie Chan posted the tribute to his “senior, brother” on Weibo, writing of the enigmatic figure known for his signature shades and moustache: “Willie Chan is gone. Another of the most important people in my life has left. Many people know I wouldn’t be what I am now without you, but no one knows what we really experienced together. So long as we both know and understand.”
Willie Chan was born in Malaysia in 1941 and educated partly in Hawaii, before moving to Hong Kong in 1970.
According to Variety, Chan joined director Lo Wei’s production company and discovered Jackie who was working as a stuntman, just as the Hong Kong entertainment industry was looking for a new male action hero following Bruce Lee’s untimely death.
Chan is credited with landing Jackie his first starring role in Lo Wei’s 1976 film New Fist of Fury.
Although unrelated, Willie Chan and Jackie Chan often described themselves as brothers.
The pair reportedly never signed a talent management contract.
Both men co-founded JCE Group ins 1985 which was responsible for developing Jackie’s movies for the next several decades.
At the height of his success, Chan also managed the who’s who of Hong Kong entertainment, such as Maggie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Jacky Cheung, Carol Cheng, Joey Wong, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Carina Lau, and Simon Yam.
The two men parted ways professionally in 2009, but remained friends.
In 2014, Chan told Hong Kong’s Commercial Radio that Jackie’s fame and wealth made him too difficult to manage.
“[Jackie] didn’t need my help anymore and I couldn’t help him with much. There would be many high-ranking officials at the same table, or rich men, and yes men. My words fell on deaf ears,” Chan was quoted as saying.