At 62 years old, Hong Kong martial arts superstar actor Jackie Chan is not one to slow down. He’s pretty much a household word in action films throughout the world thanks to his slew of action- comedy Hollywood blockbusters. Now, after a long-running stunt and acting career that started all the way back to the 1960s, Chan is about to receive an iconic symbol in show business, in appreciation for his “extraordinary achievements in film”.
BBC reports that Jackie is set to receive an honorary Oscar award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, alongside British film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman. Chan easily stands out among his fellow honorary Oscar awardees, being the youngest of them and Asian, and in fact being the first Chinese actor to receive the prestigious gold statuette.
These Academy Awards are for lifetime achievements, with the four awardees being regarded as “true pioneers and legends in their crafts” according to AMPAS president Cheryl Boone. Chan in particular is being lauded for his “distinctive international career”.
And that’s no exaggeration. In a life’s worth of acting Jackie has been child actor, stuntman (he gets pummeled by Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon”), master martial arts lead actor, sublime movie comedian, film writer, producer, director and fight choreographer. Some of his films became franchises in Hong Kong Cinema like “Project A”, “Armor of God” and “Police Story”. He then hit it big in the US with film “Rush Hour”, “Shanghai Noon” and even “Kung Fu Panda” as a voice actor. He was the inspiration for the hit animation series “Jackie Chan Adventures” where he also appeared in live-action Q&A segments.
According to an Academy press release, “Chan starred in – and sometimes wrote, directed and produced – more than 30 martial arts features in his native Hong Kong, charming audiences with his dazzling athleticism, inventive stunt work and boundless charisma."
Chan and the other awardees will receive their Oscars at the AMPAS Governor’s Awards on November 12.
On his official Facebook page, Jackie left a message expressing his gratitude to the Academy for the honor, and his family and fans for supporting him. With his trademark humor, he expressed appreciation for being the first Chinese Oscar awardee and for it to come while he was still “young”.
"To be honest, making an action movie isn't easy. It's normal for us to get hurt and bleed. Many of us have sustained a body full of injuries and I'm no exception to the case,” he wrote. “"That's why I'd like to share this honor with my brothers of the JC Stunt Team who have been with me through good times and bad times over the many years, and I'd like to share this award with every action movie star from all over the world!"
He then promised that this Oscar, one awarded for a special milestone and not in competition, will not be his last.
Photo Credit to ScreenCrush
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