Actor Jackie Chan, 62, was awarded an honorary Oscar at the 8th Annual Governors Awards of the Hollywood and Highland Center in Los Angeles. Tom Hanks, Michelle Yeoh, and Chris Tucker presented the award to him.
“As you know, the Governors Awards are a chance for the Academy to recognize unique achievements across an artist’s whole body of work, because Jackie Chan, the man that puts the ‘Chan’ in ‘Chan-Tastic,’ because he has worked mostly in martial arts films and action comedies, two genres that have been, for some reason, shall we say, historically underrepresented at the Oscars, a fact that will change if I have any pull on the board of Governors,” Hanks said.
Chan accepted his award and called it a ‘dream’. “My dad always said, ‘Son, you get so many movie awards in the world, when are you going to get one of these?’ Then I just look at my dad. ‘Ha, ha, ha. Dad, I only make comedy action movies,’ ” he said. “After 56 years in the film industry, making over 200 films, I’ve broken so many bones, finally this is mine.”
Recommended
“I want to thank you, Hong Kong, such an incredible city, my hometown, my hood, who make me. China, my country, I am proud to be Chinese. Thank you, Hollywood, for all of those years teaching me so many things, and also make me a little bit famous. I’m just honored to be here,” he added.
Besides the 62-year-old actor, documentary maker Frederick Wiseman, British film editor Anne V. Coates, and casting director Lynn Stalmaster received the 2016 Governors Awards this year.
Featured Image Courtesy: Reuters