If someone were to ask how many times Jackie Chan almost risked his life while performing his own stunt on a movie set, it would be way too much to count. The list of countless injuries from broken ribs to fractures knows no end in his extensive career of over five decades. Throughout his long career as an action star, the actor has famously done his own stunts, often at the risk of his own life and limb, and recently may have had the closest brush with death he has ever experienced.
For his last movie called Vanguard, the actor went the extra step which ended up almost costing him his life, since he almost drowned to death while performing an on-water stunt. Fortunately, the crew of the film took quick action and was prompt to reach the site to rescue the legendary actor.
Jackie Chan Almost Drowned to Death
During the shooting of his 2020 film, Vanguard, the actor Jackie Chan encountered a distressing incident. As reported by CNA Lifestyle, while filming a scene involving a jet ski, Chan found himself unexpectedly trapped underwater beneath a rock. Although the precise events leading to this is still a blur to the actor, recalling it made him “shake” with fear. At a press conference in Beijing, the actor said,
“When I took a shower later that night and remembered the incident, I suddenly felt really scared and started shaking. I was thinking about how I could have so easily died.”
The entire cast and crew, witnessing the crisis unfolding, quickly jumped to rescue the actor, with time rapidly running out. With each passing moment, Jackie Chan’s oxygen supply dwindled, exacerbating the urgency and tension of the rescue efforts. And fortunately, they were successful in returning Chan back to the shore in one piece to everyone’s relief.
Another Incident Where Jackie Chan Almost Died
It is practically impossible to identify which story is the most frightening of them all when it comes to Jackie Chan. The artist has had many close calls during his career, but one that stands out to this day is when he fractured his skull during the shoot for the 1986 movie Armour of God. While filming, Jackie Chan attempted a daring jump from a tree during a scene. However, feeling unsatisfied with the initial take, he decided to give it another try.
Tragically, as he leaped, the tree branch unexpectedly snapped, causing him to plummet and collide with a rock upon landing. Regrettably, the outcome was far from favorable, and as a result, the actor had to be swiftly transported to the hospital and was later revealed that he has fractured his skull in the process. In a Yahoo Entertainment interview, the actor stated,
“I just feel my back’s hurt. Then I get up, but everybody pushes me down because my whole body was numb. By the time the numbness passed, then I feel my ear and I see the blood. We go to the hospital…I almost died.”
Thus, close calls are nothing new to Jackie Chan, despite knowing the risk, he loves the thrill of putting everything on the line just to provide mere entertainment to his fans, a legend indeed!
Vanguard is now available on Hulu for streaming.
Source: CNA Lifestyle (via Cinemablend)
