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Taiwan Blackie Chen has transitioned from professional basketball player and captain of the Chinese Taipei junior national team to a celebrated TV celebrity, documentary filmmaker, and sports league founder.
Blackie Chen is currently the team leader and head of marketing for the Taiwan Beer Basketball Team. He directed a 2008 documentary, 'Attitude' (態度), about the team's journey to become Super Basketball League champion.
Chen, along with his wife Christine Fan, are co-founders and spokespeople for the Love Life campaign, an initiative they started after Christine's recovery from severe depression, influenced by Christian beliefs.
Charles “Blackie” Chen, also known as Chen Chien-Chou, was born on May 2, 1977, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. His early career was defined by his dedication to basketball. At 18, he joined the Chinese Taipei junior national team, participating in the 1995 ABC Under-18 Championship where the team placed fifth. Despite his height of 190 cm, considered short for an international basketball player, Chen successfully played in the paint, emulating his idol Charles Barkley. He continued his basketball journey, playing for the B national team at the William Jones Cup in 1999 following a national team cut. His professional basketball career concluded prematurely due to a second anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for a club in the Singaporean league, where he had been a leading scorer and rebounder.
Following his basketball career, Chen transitioned into the entertainment industry, becoming a prominent TV celebrity and host for various variety shows. His charismatic personality and on-screen presence quickly earned him recognition. In 2008, he directed and produced the critically acclaimed documentary “Attitude” (態度), which chronicled the Taiwan Beer Basketball Team’s pursuit of the Super Basketball League championship. This film was well-received and acknowledged within Taiwan’s film industry for its realistic portrayal of sports. Chen expanded his involvement in basketball once again in 2020 by co-founding the P. League+, Taiwan’s professional basketball league, with the Taipei Fubon Braves, Formosa Dreamers, Hsinchu Lioneers, and Taoyuan Airape. He served as the CEO of the league, aiming to enhance the professional basketball landscape in Taiwan. He later stepped down from his roles as CEO and chairman in October 2023.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Blackie Chen is also recognized for his philanthropic work. After becoming a Christian, influenced by his mother-in-law during his wife’s recovery from depression, he co-founded the Love Life campaign with his wife, Christine Fan. This initiative reflects his commitment to social causes. Throughout his career, Chen has maintained a public profile, navigating both professional achievements and personal challenges.
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