One of contemporary Chinese film’s greatest pioneers and promoters, Jackie Chan, was honored Saturday night with a Lifetime Achievement Oscar at a ceremony in Los Angeles.
Chan, 62, is the first Chinese actor to receive the award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Having appeared in over 100 films to date, and with more to come this year and next, Chan has racked up a personal fortune estimated at US$350 million, according to Forbes.
"Twenty-three years ago, I saw this little thing [the Oscar] in my friend’s house. I touched it, kissed it, and smelled it; I believe there are still my fingerprints on it,” Chan said during his acceptance speech.
"After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, and broke so many bones, finally, this is mine,” Chan said. “I want to thank Hong Kong, an incredible city, my hometown. (Thank) who made me, China, my country, I am proud to be Chinese.”
Chan fans will get to see more of his work at the end of December when he stars in Railroad Tigers, about a band of communist fighters who take on Japanese invaders in northeastern China. In January, just in time for the Spring Festival season, Chan will appear with Indian superstar Aamir Khan in Kung Fu Yoga. He’s also currently working on Viy 2, a Sino-Russian drama that features a cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger.