Jackie Chan has starred in over 200 films, and worked in cinema across five decades. But he has never won an Oscar – until now. The annual Governor’s Ball ceremony, organised by the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences, dishes out lifetime achievement-style Oscar statuettes, especially to those who might have been overlooked by the regular competitive awards-giving.
During a pretty ludicrously star-studded evening, even by the Academy’s golden standards, Tom Hanks wittily acknowledged that the prestigious awards show has not tended to pay much heed to martial arts or action comedies, the genres Jackie Chan is known for.
His co-star in Supercop, Michelle Yeoh, praised his “infectious exuberance”, while Chris Tucker, his partner-in-crime from the Rush Hour series, said “I love you, you’re part of me”.
For his part, Chan seemed genuinely thrilled. During a gracious acceptance speech, he recalled a time in which he saw Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar in his house. “I touched it, I kissed it, I smelled it..." he said, kissing his own award. "I told myself...’I really want one!’”
Also honoured during this year’s ceremony was 90-year-old Anne V Coates (editor of Lawrence Of Arabia); 88-year-old casting director Lynn Stalmaster; and 86-year-old documentarian Frederick Wiseman.
The 89th Academy Awards – the regular Oscars, if you will – take place on 26 February, 2017.