Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan’s disciple Collin Chou, who rose to fame with his role in the Hollywood blockbuster “The Matrix” series in 1999, has been receiving royalties from the films every year. Even after his passing, his descendants will continue to benefit, making it a true testament to both fame and fortune.
At 56 years old, Collin Chou was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. He began learning martial arts at a young age and entered the film industry as a stunt double at the age of 12. He later trained in Taekwondo and Muay Thai, mastering the martial arts combat techniques used in film production. At 18, he caught the eye of Jackie Chan and starred in the film “High Risk,” leading him to Hong Kong at the age of 20 to study under Jackie Chan and become a member of the “Jackie Chan Stunt Team.”
Despite portraying supporting roles for many years, Collin Chou’s portrayal of antagonistic characters in over 30 Hong Kong films, such as “Chang Wei” in “The Top Bet” and “Song Qing Shu” in “The Kung Fu Cult Master,” deeply resonated with audiences. However, this typecasting also restricted his future acting opportunities.
Renowned for his exceptional acting skills, Collin Chou was invited by the action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping to play the role of “Seraph” in “The Matrix” in 1999. He then appeared in the sequels “The Matrix Reloaded,” “The Matrix Revolutions,” and the video game version of the series. This role propelled him onto the international stage, significantly increasing his global recognition and providing substantial financial benefits beyond his expectations.
In an interview with Taiwanese media, Collin Chou expressed his gratitude for being part of “The Matrix” franchise, recognizing it as an honor. Knowing that the film’s royalties will continue to be a source of income for him and his descendants for generations to come, he remarked on the unique privilege of being able to “earn money while lying down” and how taking on a film of this magnitude was truly invaluable.