Film & martial arts · 1963–
Jet Li Life & Career Timeline
A wushu champion who became a defining star of Chinese and international action cinema.
18 MomentsGet your own timeline now — free
19631972198119901999200820172026
JLJet LiFilm & martial arts
← Drag, scroll or swipe through the timeline →
About this timeline
About Jet Li
From Beijing competition victories to Once Upon a Time in China, Hollywood and philanthropy.
Page updated
Choose any Moment on the timeline to read its story, see why it matters and continue to the original source. Connected Moments open the other person’s timeline.
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team.
Jet Li biography
Jet Li timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Beijing
Li Lianjie was born in Beijing.
Source: www.britannica.comBegins wushu training
He entered a summer sports programme and was selected for formal wushu training.
Source: www.britannica.comNational champion
Li won the first of several national all-around wushu championships.
Source: www.britannica.comRetires from competition
Injuries ended his competitive career while he was still a teenager.
Source: www.britannica.comShaolin Temple
His film debut became a major hit and revived interest in Shaolin martial arts.
Source: www.britannica.comShaolin Temple becomes a breakthrough
Li’s first starring film became a major success and helped revive popular interest in Shaolin martial arts.
Connected: Martial arts
Source: www.britannica.comOnce Upon a Time in China
As Wong Fei-hung, Li began one of modern martial-arts cinema’s landmark series.
Source: www.britannica.comFist of Legend
The acclaimed film reinterpreted Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury.
Source: www.britannica.comLethal Weapon 4
His Hollywood debut introduced him to a wider international audience.
Source: www.warnerbros.comMakes his Hollywood debut in Lethal Weapon 4
Li played the antagonist in his first American film role and reached a broader international audience.
Source: www.warnerbros.comRomeo Must Die
Li took his first leading role in an American studio film.
Source: www.warnerbros.comHero
Zhang Yimou’s epic became an international critical and commercial success.
Source: www.miramax.comFearless
Li described the film as a culmination of his traditional wushu film work.
Source: www.focusfeatures.comThe One Foundation
He established a foundation focused on disaster relief and social welfare.
Source: www.onefoundation.cnCreates the One Foundation
After surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Li founded a public charity focused on disaster response and community welfare.
Source: www.onefoundation.cnThe Forbidden Kingdom
Li and Jackie Chan appeared together on screen for the first time.
Source: www.lionsgate.comAdvocates global disaster preparedness
Through philanthropic and public forums, Li promoted community-based emergency response and volunteerism.
Source: www.weforum.orgMulan
Li played the Emperor in Disney’s live-action adaptation.
Source: movies.disney.comExplore related timelines
This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Jet Li or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0
Schools, fan clubs & cultural organisations
Help maintain this public story.
Bring knowledge, archives and a community together around a carefully sourced timeline.
Quick answers
About the Jet Li timeline
Who is Jet Li?
From Beijing competition victories to Once Upon a Time in China, Hollywood and philanthropy.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1963–.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
Your life deserves its own story.
Bring your photographs, videos and most important Moments together in one beautiful timeline.
Start your own life story now — free