Jackie Chan Reflects On His Age As Fans Express Concern On His 70th Birthday
The legendary actor said he is lucky to still be filming today and cherishes every moment.
By May Vin Ang — 08 Apr 2024, 04:54 PM
Jackie Chan has shared a reflective update with fans after a recent photo of him left some concerned for his health
The legendary Hong Kong actor, who turned 70 years old yesterday, 7 April, sparked concern about a month ago after a photo of him with white hair and a white beard at an event went viral.
However, in an update on his birthday over the weekend, Chan himself explained his aged appearance and reflected on the joy of ageing
"To all my dearest friends and fans from all over the world," he wrote on Facebook.
"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?
"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 said.
Addressing the viral photo, Chan assured his fans that he is in good health and clarified that the look is just for a character he is playing in an upcoming film
"The character requires me to have white hair, white beard, and look old," he said.
"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," he explained.
Reflecting on his 62-year career in the entertainment business, Chan added that he is lucky to still be filming today and cherishes every moment.
Sharing some throwback photos, the actor also thanked his fans, saying, "Looking at these photos brings back so many fond memories. 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!" he said.
Chan is still actively filming, having announced in 2023 that he will be appearing in a Karate Kid remake, as well as confirming that a fourth installment in the popular Rush Hour series of movies is in development.
