Jackie Chan is 71 years old and still defying gravity, literally.
The global action legend made it clear in a recent Haute Living interview that he has no plans to slow down or let stunt doubles take over. Jackie Chan’s own stunts have been his trademark for over six decades, and he has zero intention of quitting. “Of course, I always do my own stunts. It’s who I am. That’s not changing until the day I retire, which is never!” he said with complete confidence.
It’s not just talk. Jackie Chan has been breaking bones and blowing minds since he was a child actor in Hong Kong. He started working in the film industry at just 7 years old and was enrolled in the China Drama Academy, where he endured grueling training in martial arts, acrobatics, and performance. That early foundation made Jackie not just an actor but a physical performer unlike anyone else. He went on to become a stuntman for Bruce Lee in films like Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon and eventually became a global star himself through hits like Drunken Master, Police Story, and Rush Hour.
At this point in his career, Chan doesn’t even need the usual prep for his action scenes. “When you’ve done it for 64 years straight, there’s no physical preparation anymore. Everything is in your heart and soul; it is muscle memory,” he said. Despite newer tools like CGI and motion capture dominating today’s action scenes, Jackie believes nothing can beat the real thing. “In the old days, the only [choice we had] was to be there and jump; that’s it. Today, with computers, actors can do anything, but there’s always a sense of reality that you feel is missing.”
And while Chan has become synonymous with death-defying stunts, he doesn’t want to be boxed in as just an action guy. In a 2017 GQ interview, he said, “If I’m to continue on in the film industry, I have to change. Otherwise, you’re gone. That’s why I’m looking for different scripts, different characters, a different Jackie Chan.” He mentioned the careers of other action stars who faded away, pointing out that only a few, like Sylvester Stallone, have been able to evolve. Jackie wants to be remembered as a versatile actor who can fight, not just a fighter who acts.
Looking back, he does have some career regrets. He wishes he’d learned English earlier and kept up with the piano. “I’d probably tell my younger self, ‘Jackie, you should study English harder, and don’t give up on learning that piano!’ I could have used those skill sets to make my movies better.”
Still, Jackie Chan’s legacy is unmatched. He holds the Guinness World Record for most stunts by a living actor and has appeared in over 150 films. He’s also received honorary Oscars and multiple lifetime achievement awards around the globe. His body may be scarred from years of injuries, broken bones, concussions, even a cracked skull, but his spirit is bulletproof.
Jackie Chan’s own stunts are more than just impressive, they’re proof that passion doesn’t age. Whether he’s leaping from buildings or reflecting on missed piano lessons, Jackie shows no signs of stopping. “Retirement?” he laughs. “Not happening.”
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