Jackie Chan will win an Oscar this year. I’m not kidding you.
As reported in a recent press release, Chan joins documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, film editor Anne V. Coates and casting director Lynn Stalmaster in receiving the Academy’s Honorary Oscars, as voted by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The four awards will presented on November 12 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland Center.
Chan is distinguished as a true pioneer and legend of his craft, as noted by Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President. Making his motion picture debut at eight with 1962’s Big and Little Wong Tin Bar, Chan became an international movie star, writer, director, producer, musician and stunt performer all around the world. His accomplishments are endless, but the Academy celebrates his “dazzling athleticism, inventive stunt work and boundless charisma.” He’s a modern day renaissance man. He’s the Buster Keaton of our time.
Chan unquestionably deserves an Oscar. His commitment is incredible, and his charm and great personality is equally amazing. It’s a shame it took until he was 62 in order to finally give Chan his full due, but better late than never. This November, Jackie Chan becomes an official Oscar winner. That’s a wonderful thought.
The Honorary Award, presented as an Oscar statuette, honors “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion pictures arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the Academy.”
Beyond Oscar winning, Chan keeps himself as busy as ever. His newest film, Skiptrace, just got released, and Kung Fu Panda 3 came out this January. He also lend his voice to The Lego Ninjago Movie and, inexplicably, The Nut Job 2. He also recently filmed roles in Bleeding Steel, Railroad Tigers, The Foreigner and Kung-Fu Yoga. Chan’s also rumored to star in Rush Hour 4 and The Karate Kid 2, but we’ll see if those ever happen.
