Jackie Chan has earned numerous accolades after amassing a fortune and making his mark as a trailblazer in action films. Yet, there was one prestigious prize that had eluded him. During a visit to the home of his esteemed colleague and fellow action star, Sylvester Stallone, Jackie caught a glimpse of an Oscar statuette. This sighting left an indelible impression on him, igniting a sincere aspiration to one day claim this coveted award for himself.
In his book, Never Grow Up, Jackie Chan reflects on the profound impact of holding an Oscar statuette. He also shares poignant recollections of his father’s sincere desire for him to secure this prized accolade.
Jackie Chan First Touched An Oscar At Sylvester Stallone’s House
In his book, Jackie Chan bares his soul on a multitude of personal topics, including his aspirations to achieve an Oscar. His unrelenting drive ultimately led to success, as he claimed the coveted award in 2016. In his poignant acceptance speech, Chan shared a cherished memory of his first encounter with an Oscar while visiting his friend and fellow action star, Sylvester Stallone, who tried roping in Chan for his Expandables franchise multiple times but failed. Chan reminisced fondly about the moment, describing how he felt at that moment.
“I touched it, I kissed it, I smelled it. I believe it still has my fingerprints on it,” Chan said.
Regarded as a paragon of excellence in the entertainment industry, Jackie Chan’s Oscar win was the crowning achievement of his illustrious career. Despite never harboring aspirations of attaining such heights of fame and recognition, the Chinese actor revealed that he and his parents made it a tradition to tune in to the award show every year.
Jackie Chan Thought He Had No Chance
As a preeminent figure in the world of action movies and filmmaking, Jackie Chan never envisioned that the highest accolade in global cinema would one day be bestowed upon him. Yet, at the age of 62, he was humbled to receive the coveted Oscar award. Reflecting on his unlikely journey to the entertainment industry summit, Chan candidly expressed in his book, that despite his self-doubts, the martial arts icon’s undeniable talent and hard work ultimately earned him this well-deserved honor.
Despite his action-packed movies being well-received in the East, Jackie Chan never envisioned attaining the highest accolades for his work that would ultimately culminate in his Oscar win. Nevertheless, his undeniable talent and dedication to his craft ultimately captured the attention of audiences and critics alike, leading to his well-deserved recognition on the global stage.
“I never thought winning an Oscar was remotely possible… Didn’t think anyone in America would notice my work.”
After a challenging childhood, Jackie Chan’s rise to the top was hard-won, devoid of any handouts or shortcuts. Through sheer grit and determination, he has carved out a distinguished place for himself in mainstream Hollywood, setting an inspirational benchmark for aspiring artists.
Source: Goodreads