Charlie Chan Charlie Chan Charlie Chan is a fictional character created by Earl Derr Biggers. Biggers loosely based Chan on Honolulu, Hawaii, detective Chang Apana, and conceived of the benevolent and heroic Chan as an alternative to Yellow Peril stereotypes and villains like Fu Manchu. Chan is a detective for the Honolulu police, though many stories feature Chan traveling the world as he investigates mysteries and solves crimes. Chan first appeared in Biggers' novels, then was featured in a number of media. Over four dozen films featuring Charlie Chan were made, beginning in 1926. The character was first portrayed by East Asian
Charlie Chan (composer) Ali Khan and experimental pop artists like David Sylvian (and his band Japan), Grace Jones and Peter Gabriel. Chan left Melbourne for Sydney at age 16, which led to commissioned work with drama and dance groups plus stints playing keyboards and drums with successful pop bands Electric Pandas, The Allniters and iconic women's band The Stray Dags. These experiences culminated with the release of Chan's solo recordings and, in 1996 after the band's management was sent a Charlie Chan recording, an Australian and Asia Pacific tour supporting world music electronica band Deep Forest. In the 1990s, Chan released three critically