Jackie Chan Shares Health Update on 70th Birthday
The action star is in good spirits.
Jackie Chan has been working on screen as an actor and stuntman for nearly his entire life. Over the years, Chan has been introduced to audiences around the world in a variety of roles, including his beloved part in 2010's The Karate Kid.
On April 7, Chan celebrated his 70th birthday, and he took to Instagram to mark the occasion and reflect on his journey to where he is today, sharing photos from throughout his illustrious life and career.
"Even before today, many friends have been reminding me: 'Jackie, it’s going to be your 70th birthday!” Every time I hear this number, my heart would stop for a second — l’m 70 years old already?" he captioned the post.
"After recovering from the shock, the second thing that would come to my mind is a saying that my big brother Sammo Hung once said: 'Being able to grow old is a fortunate thing.' Especially for us stunt people, we don’t know how lucky we are to be able to grow old," he continued.
He went on to address some fans' worries after a public appearance last month prompted questions online about his vitality.
"Not so long ago, a lot of friends saw some recent photos of me on the internet, and they were all concerned about my health. I want to take this opportunity to let everyone know, don’t worry! It’s just a character appearance for my latest movie. The character requires me to have white hair, white beard, and look old," he explained. "Over the years, I’ve always been willing to try new things for a movie, no matter if it’s a challenging stunt or a breakthrough appearance for a character. I’ve been in the entertainment business for 62 years and I cherish every moment because I’m lucky I’m still filming today."
The photo carousel gives fans a glimpse into Chan's life over the years and his gratitude in the life he lives today.
"Looking at these photos brings back so many fond memories," Chan wrote. "All I can say is: I love making movies and I love you all. A big thank you to everyone for all your birthday wishes. Hope everyone stays happy and healthy!"
Chan is set to reprise his role from The Karate Kid in the upcoming next installment in the series, Karate Kid, which hits theaters Dec. 13.