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Remembering Brad Allan, Jackie Chan’s protégé, stuntman and martial arts actor in upcoming Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and The King’s Man

Australian stuntman Brad Allan, who has died aged 48, pictured with his long-time mentor Jackie Chan, with whom he made films like Shanghai Noon and the Rush Hour sequels. Photo: @jackiechangreece/Instagram
Australian stuntman Brad Allan, who has died aged 48, pictured with his long-time mentor Jackie Chan, with whom he made films like Shanghai Noon and the Rush Hour sequels. Photo: @jackiechangreece/Instagram
Hollywood

  • Melbourne-born Allan was taught by Liang Changxing and Tang Laiwei, members of the renowned Beijing Wushu Team along with Jet Li and Donnie Yen
  • He worked with Chan on Gorgeous, Shanghai Noon and the Rush Hour sequels, as well as Kingsman: A Secret Service, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Wonder Woman

On his official website, Jackie Chan recently paid tribute to Australian stuntman and his favourite protégé Brad Allan, who passed away from an unspecified illness on August 7, 2021. The 48-year-old industry veteran was best known as a long-time member of Chan’s stunt team.

Chan confirmed Allan’s unexpected death in a blog post, recalling their first encounter on the set of Hong Kong action film Mr Nice Guy (1997) and praising the Melbourne-born star’s stellar work on more recent Hollywood hits like Kingsman: A Secret Service, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Wonder Woman with Gal Gadot.

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From being a fan-turned-friend of Jackie Chan’s to becoming one of the greatest stunt coordinators in Hollywood, let’s take a closer look at the legend’s action-packed life.

He started his martial arts career early

Brad Allan. Photo: @davidtorok_official/Instagram
Brad Allan. Photo: @davidtorok_official/Instagram
Brad Allan kicked off his training in martial arts at the age of 10. He fell in love with kung fu, and also tried his hand at boxing and gymnastics. When he was 15, he crossed paths with Liang Changxing and Tang Laiwei, who were members of the renowned Beijing Wushu Team along with actors Jet Li and Donnie Yen.

The two greats helped Allan become one of Australia’s top wushu athletes. He also spent some years studying Mandarin and martial arts in Asia before returning to his native country by age 22.

He was the first non-Asian member of Jackie Chan’s stunt team

Brad Allan and Jackie Chan on the set of Gorgeous (1999). Photo: @fu_for_thought/Instagram
Brad Allan and Jackie Chan on the set of Gorgeous (1999). Photo: @fu_for_thought/Instagram