Now that the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences has deigned to give Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar, it has apparently decided to stop screwing around with people’s emotions and give out awards to famous people who have put in a few decades of solid work. Jackie Chan became the latest beneficiary of this newfound generosity, with the Academy presenting him with an honorary Oscar at its annual Governors Awards ceremony over the weekend.
Chan’s award was presented to him by Michelle Yeoh, Tom Hanks, and his Rush Hour co-star Chris Tucker, who unfortunately did not take the opportunity to make a great “do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth” reference. During his speech, which you can see below, Chan explained that he never thought he’d win an Oscar due to the fact that he makes comedy action movies. After seeing an Academy Award at Sylvester Stallone’s house 23 years ago, though, he knew he wanted to win one. “After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, after so many bones, finally, this is mine,” Chan said, holding up the trophy. He also added that he’ll continue making movies, “jumping through windows, kicking and punching,” and “breaking [his] bones.”
Designed to honor the people who deserve Oscars but didn’t star in/direct/write/create the special effects for a big movie in the past year, the Governors Awards also saluted the contributions of some other people who didn’t star in The Tuxedo, including editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster, and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.