Martial arts icon Jackie Chan recently clarified the reason behind his significantly aged appearance in a photo that went viral. Fans have also expressed shock and disbelief upon realizing the action star has reached the milestone age of 70.
Jackie Chan posing for a picture posted on April 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jackiechan
Before recently celebrating his 70th birthday, a photo of a white-haired Jackie Chan looking very frail went viral on online platforms, worrying his fans around the world.
Since the frenzy of concern sparked by the viral photo, Jackie has taken to Instagram to dispel public worry about the status of his health. He explained that his aged appearance was all for a movie role.
Jackie Chan posing for a picture posted on April 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jackiechan
In his Instagram post, which featured a carousel of pictures of him from different times in his personal and professional life, Jackie opened up about turning 70.
Jackie Chan posing for a picture posted on April 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jackiechan
“Every time I hear this number, my heart would stop for a second – I’m 70 years old already?” wrote the star. Switching his tone, Jackie then reflected on a saying from a close friend of his, Sammo Hung, who said “being able to grow old is a fortunate thing.”
Jackie Chan captured in a photo posted on April 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jackiechan
After reiterating how fortunate he feels to grow old, especially as an actor who performs his own stunts, Jackie cleared up the confusion about the viral photo.
Jackie Chan posing for a picture posted on April 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jackiechan
“It’s just a character appearance for my latest movie. The character requires me to have white hair, white beard and look old,” he revealed.
Jackie Chan at a commercial event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China on May 3, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Jackie then continued his message by emphasizing his love for making movies and his gratitude for being able to continue his passion. He also thanked his fans for their well wishes and birthday messages.
Among the messages he received for his birthday, fellow actor Will Smith dedicated a birthday tribute to Jackie on his social media page. He shared throwback images of them with Will’s son, Jaden Smith, from when they worked on “The Karate Kid” together.
Will and Jaden Smith with Jackie Chan during the filming of “The Karate Kid” posted on April 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/willsmith
Will’s message was heartfelt. “Happy 70th (wow) Birthday to My Guy @jackiechan!!” he exclaimed. The “I Am Legend” star also thanked Jackie for his significant impact on Jaden and their family.
Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan during the filming of “The Karate Kid” posted on April 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/willsmith
“Our time with you in Beijing during the Karate Kid left an eternal impact on our entire family,” shared Will. He ended his message by wishing Jackie “the deepest Love & Revelation” on his “next trip around the sun 
.”
Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith during the filming of “The Karate Kid” posted on April 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/willsmith
The news of Jackie turning 70 has left many of his fans shocked. They took to various social media platforms to voice their disbelief and recall their fond memories of the icon.
“Jackie Chan being 70 can’t be real,” commented someone while another bewildered fan pondered, “Wait, he’s 70??????” Another social media user expressed, “Looks too old for a [70-year-old],” and another person noted, “Jackie Chan being 70 does not sit well with me.”
Someone else stated, “He looks so old .” Other fans remembered the joy Jackie brought to their childhoods. “Woahhh. He has aged this much? […] He made my childhood fun ,” gushed one.
Jackie Chan at the 8th Annual Governors Awards in Hollywood, California on November 12, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
The comments posted by fans, along with Will Smith‘s special birthday message are testaments to Jackie’s ability to inspire and entertain countless people, at any age. Though his recent Instagram post reflecting on turning 70 caused shock among his fans, it also reminded them of his journey in film.
Prior to this trip down memory lane, Jackie caused quite a scare among the public with the contested photo he recently addressed, which we previously reported on March 18, 2024.
Jackie Chan, the revered martial artist and venerated star of the screen, recently appeared in a video on a Chinese social media platform, showing off a full head of gray hair as he approaches his 70th birthday.
The video, which quickly spread across the internet, was from a report by Sichuan Observation on Weibo and was shot during a special event in Luzhou, Sichuan.
The caption alongside the video highlighted Jackie’s appearance at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Sealing Ceremony on March 11th, with Jackie humorously comparing his age to the ancient brewing techniques of Luzhou Laojiao, saying, “Luzhou Laojiao’s brewing technique has a history of 700 years, and I am 70 years old.”
Jackie Chan on the red carpet at the Closing Night Gala Red Carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival on December 8, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Source: Getty Images
At the ceremony, Jackie, who is a father of two, mentioned his strong connection with Luzhou and expressed his admiration for the event, which he was attending for the first time. He voiced a heartfelt desire to see Chinese kung fu prevail in every corner and the rich aroma of Luzhou Laojiao to be omnipresent.
As images of Jackie’s transformed appearance surfaced, the internet reacted with a mix of shock and admiration. The Daily Loud’s shared photo of Jackie’s new look garnered significant attention, prompting fans to voice their surprise and nostalgia.
Jackie Chan during a portrait session in 2002. | Source: Getty Images
Comments ranged from stunned queries like “What happened to Jackie Chan?” and “Can’t believe he’s that old already” to expressions of disbelief such as “Yo I barely recognize him. A legend.” “He looks completely different” and “How?”
Fans reflected on their own disbelief with remarks like “Ahh, I couldn’t recognize him for a while” and “Unbelievable.” The collective sentiment echoed the reverence for the passage of time, with multiple fans remarking, “[What’s] happening to Jackie Chan?” and “Can’t believe that Jackie Chan is getting this old. Legend.”
Jackie Chan on the red carpet at the 2023 Beijing International Film Festival on April 21, 2023 in Beijing, China | Source: Getty Images
Tolulope Michael, a cyber-security instructor and career coach, didn’t hide his emotions when sharing the viral photo, reflecting on the inevitable nature of aging and the bittersweet reality of seeing a childhood hero grow old.
He recounted how Jackie’s films from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s continue to bring joy and how the anticipation for “Rush Hour 4” keeps the excitement alive.
His tribute, heartfelt and resonant, read: “Seeing one of the greatest actors of all time get old is really heartbreaking for me, even though getting old is a part of life. Jackie Chan is part of those actors that made our childhood fun. He was my childhood favourite actor and I still watch his 80’s 90’s and early 2000’s movies to watch again and relive those memories.”
Jackie Chan posing for a picture ahead of the premiere of “New Police Story” in Cologne, Germany on October 10, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Michael shared that he loved Jackie as a child and still felt that way. He shared that although he couldn’t bear to see Jackie aging, he knew it was something he couldn’t escape.
In October 2017, when addressing questions about himself on social media, Jackie’s responses were imbued with his characteristic wit and humility. To the query “How did Jackie Chan die?” he quipped, “Jackie Chan never dies.” Addressing retirement rumors, he confidently stated, “No. The movie business is so fun.”
Jackie Chan at the ‘Ride On’ Guangzhou Road Show April 7, 2023 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China | Source: Getty Images
He revealed that if he retired from acting, he would pursue directing. When asked if he lived in Mexico, he clarified, “No, Beijing. But I have an office in Shanghai, Taiwan… actually, I’m living around the world.”
Jackie Chan at a commercial event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China on May 3, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
To the suggestion of immortality, he humbly responded, “Actually, no. I’m not immortal. I’m just ordinary people. I just have the guts to try everything.” And in the timeless debate of who would win in a fight between him and Bruce Lee, Jackie graciously conceded, “Bruce Lee win. Let him win.”
Jackie’s reflections on life and work, captured in his book “Never Grow Up,” resonate with his recent appearance. In his book, he divulges, “I don’t want to retire either. Sometimes I wonder if I should just vanish suddenly one day, pack a bag and fly a plane to somewhere.”
He also added, “That might be the way to do it. But I probably never will. I hope that, when the time is right, I’ll know when to stop working. I’ll take care of myself. Or I’ll keep plugging away and fighting until the very end.”
