An Oscar For Jackie

Who doesn’t know this legend? He is world famous and everyone loves him. I love him for his dedication and hard work. And it was no big surprise when he received Honorary Oscar Award a few days ago as he completely deserved it. “Standing here is a dream. After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, breaking so many bones, finally this is mine.” said Jackie while receiving the award. So I want to write about this legendarily legend Jackie Chan as an admiration for his amazing and awesome journey.

 

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan, born on 7^th April 1954 at Victoria Peak, British Hong Kong is a martial artist, actor, film director, producer, stuntman, singer and a philanthropist. In his movies, Chan has his unique style of acrobatic fighting style, perfect comic timing, and innovative stunts performed himself.

Young Jackie

In his childhood days, he was sent to an opera school where he underwent the training in Chinese martial arts. Jackie explains the hardships he went through while at the opera school in most of his interviews. The strict etiquettes formulated by the master imposed him so many painful memories at such vulnerable young age. As narrated, at times the master would pause them during the training session for hours making them stand on one leg. This is unimaginable for me though.

His early ventures into the film industry weren’t successful. His image as a martial artist was merely visible due to the magic Bruce Lee had created before him. If he had to get into the public audience, he had to do something new and better. And that was his perfect comic timing for which the audience massively loved him. The expression he delivers is right on the target. His first major breakthrough was the 1978 film Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. His next major hit was Drunken Master which set him on the track of success in the action comedy genre. People knew him for his unique style and movies, which made him The Jackie Chan we all know today. He soon made his way to the Hollywood, coming into the international arena and becoming a renowned superstar all over the continents.

Action Hero

Let’s not forget the darker side of his achievement: numerous injurious and accidents while performing his own stunts. If I were him, I would have stopped doing action stunts after the very first injury or accident because I treasure my body and life and very logically everyone does the same. But Jackie’s soul probably originated from somewhere else that wouldn’t stop, even at the cost of his own life. Jackie tops the actors list for undergoing maximum injuries while shooting. And it’s a big wonder that he is scared of pricks and injections at hospital, while at the same time he isn’t bothered about the wounds and fractures. A good number of bones in his body have been broken all due to the stunts he did. He points his finger to almost all parts of his body to show the fractures he had had.

Jackie Chan is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has championed lots of charitable works and causes. He has even pledged to donate half of his assets to a charity upon his death to help those in need. He founded Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation in 1988, which offers scholarship and helps Hong Kong’s young people and provide aid to victims of natural disasters.

It was 23 years ago, when he saw an Oscar at Sylvester Stallone’s house and decided to have one for himself one day. And today, he proudly made it to Oscar.

Kudos to you Mr. Chan, for having the Hollywood’s top accolade shinning in your hands.