Renowned actor Jackie Chan has reassured his fans following concerns raised about his looks in photographs released earlier this year.
The stuntman, famous for his roles in movies such as Police Story, Rush Hour, and Who Am I?, was photographed with graying hair, sparking speculation about his well-being among fans.
Chan has now addressed these concerns on social media, marking his 70th birthday this week by sharing a series of photos reflecting on his career.
He explained that his aged appearance earlier in the year was actually for a character in an upcoming film.
Addressing his 6.2 million Instagram followers, the star stated, “Recently, many friends saw some new pictures of me online and expressed concerns about my health. I want to assure everyone, there’s no need to worry! It’s simply a character appearance for my latest movie. The role requires me to have white hair, a white beard, and an elderly look.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve always been open to trying new things for a film, whether it’s a challenging stunt or a transformative appearance for a character,” he added.
Chan gained fame starring in over 30 martial arts films in Hong Kong before achieving global recognition with Rumble In The Bronx in 1995.
He subsequently appeared in numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including the Rush Hour trilogy, Shanghai Noon and its sequel Shanghai Knights with Owen Wilson, Around The World In 80 Days, and the Kung Fu Panda series alongside Jack Black.
Although he did not specify which movie required the aging appearance, Chan currently has multiple films in production, including reprising his role as Mr. Han in the upcoming Karate Kid sequel alongside Ralph Macchio, the star of the original 1984 film.
Reflecting on his 62 years in the entertainment industry, Chan expressed gratitude for every moment and contemplated turning 70, remarking, “Am I really 70 years old? After the initial shock, I’m reminded of a saying from my dear friend Sammo Hung: ‘Growing old is a blessing.’ Especially for us stunt performers, we often overlook the blessing of growing old.”