Jackie Chan Finally Receives An Oscar; Why It Took Him More Than 50 Years To Get It

Martial arts screen legend, Jackie Chan was awarded an honorary Oscar at the Eighth Annual Governors Awards at the Hollywood and Highland Center in LA on Saturday night November 12. Giving Chan the the final presentation of the night, Tom Hanks, Michelle Yeoh, and Chris Tucker made a tribute to his outstanding career.

"Jackie Chan, the man who puts the 'Chan' in 'Chan-tastic,' because he 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," Tom Hanks said as he earned laughs from the audience according to People Magazine. "Great acting comes in many different forms, but if you are an actor you always know it when you see it. Jackie Chan's films have been incredibly serious, sometimes gruesomely so, as well as incredibly hilarious to the point pop delighting millions of peoples around the globe,"the two-time Oscar winner continued.

Hanks also compared Jackie Chan with John Wayne and Buster Keaton and told the crowd that neither one of those screen legends put bloopers during the end credits, which Chan's movies are known for. Michelle Yeoh, "Police Story 3" co-star, introduced a video montage of Chan's films. Then comedian Chris Tucker who handed Chan the award said, "The fact that I got to work with Jackie was amazing a living legend." When the action star received the Oscar trophy, he called it a "dream" and recalled watching the Oscars with his parents.

"My dad always said, "Son, you get so many movie awards in the world, when are you going to get one of these?" Then, I just look at my dad. "Ha, ha, ha. Dad, I only make action-comedy movies," shared Jackie Chan. "After 56 years in the film industry, making over 200 films. I've broken so many bones, finally this is mine," he said. "I want to thank you, Hong Kong, such an incredible city, my hometown, my hood, who make me, my country, I am proud to be Chinese. Thank you Hollywood, for all of those years teaching me so many things, and also make me a little bit famous. I'm just honored to be here." He also acknowledged the people and places that helped him get to where he is now.