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Jackie Chan ‘Finally’ Wins an Oscar After 56 Years, 200 Films and Many Broken Bones

It’s about time! After 56 years in the film industry and with more than 200 movies under his belt, Jackie Chan received an honorary Oscar at the 8th Annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 12.

Tom Hanks, Chris Tucker and Michelle Yeoh presented the Rush Hour actor, 62, with the gold statuette at the end of the night’s star-studded ceremony at the Hollywood and Highland Center.

Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan accepts his award on stage during the 8th Annual Governors Awards hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Nov. 12, 2016. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

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“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 … 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, 60, said during the introduction speech.

Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan
Chris Tucker resents an award on stage to honoree Jackie Chan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 8th Annual Governors Awards. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The Sully actor then compared Chan to late movie icons John Wayne and Buster Keaton, quipping, “But Jackie does something that neither of those great screen legends were ever able to do: Neither one of those great artists ever, ever put the bloopers on during the closing credits.”

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As the Hong Kong native took the podium, he admitted, “Standing here is a dream. After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, breaking so many bones, finally this is mine.

“I want to thank you, Hong Kong, such an incredible city, my hometown, my hood, who make me,” Chan continued. “China, my country, I am proud to be Chinese. Thank you, Hollywood, for all of those years teaching me so many things, and also [for making] me a little bit famous. I’m just honored to be here.”

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The Skiptrace star also honored his late father, Charles Chan, telling the audience, “My dad always said, ‘Son, you get so many movie awards in the world, when are you going to get one of these [Oscars]?’ Then I just look at my dad. ‘Ha, ha, ha. Dad, I only make comedy action movies.'”

British film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentarian Frederick Wiseman also received honorary Academy Awards on Saturday night.

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