Jackie Chan's Stunt Bravery Exposed: The Horrifying Injuries He Endured for Our Entertainment
Jackie Chan's Severe Mishaps: A Chronicle of His Most Grievous Wounds - Most Severe Injuries Suffered by Jackie Chan
Dive into the thrilling, yet painful world of action movie star Jackie Chan as he shares his unwavering commitment to being his own stunt double – even at 71! Known for his energetic and jaw-dropping stunts since the ripe age of seven, Jackie Chan hasn't slowed down, and he doesn't plan to.
"I ain't no chicken, I'm Jackie motherf*cker Chan!" he declared in a cocky interview for the "Haute Living" cover story. "I always do my own stunts. That's who I am, and that ain't changing until I hang up my boots – and let's be real, that day's never comin'!" he laughed. According to Jackie, his 64 years of training have given him an unmatched edge, with raw heart and muscle memory guiding his every move.
But let's not forget the countless bones he's broken in the process. Contrary to popular belief, Jackie hasn't managed to shatter every bone in his body. However, his list of fractures reads like a comprehensive human anatomy guide, from head to toe.
The Close Calls: Millimeters from Death
With over 200 bones in the human body, there's plenty of opportunity for breaks – in Jackie's case, there've been quite a few. The most nerve-wracking incident occurred during the filming of "Armour of God" around 40 years ago. Jackie was supposed to jump from a great height onto a tree branch and swing to a ledge. But the branch broke, and he fell about eight meters unchecked.
Some might call this a lucky escape – he landed on his shoulder, not headfirst on a rock. However, the impact was brutal enough to cause a skull fracture and a brain hemorrhage, with a piece of bone piercing his brain. Thanks to a multi-hour surgery and a metal plate under his scalp as a grim reminder, Jackie is still with us today.
A decade earlier, in "Hand of Death", Jackie sustained another severe head injury. He was supposed to jump off a moving truck, but his fatal mistake was hitting his head hard on the pavement. After the stunt, he passed out for about an hour. Once again, Jackie’s life was saved through quick thinking and immediate medical attention.
Escape from Paralysis: Just Centimeters Away
In 1983, during the filming of "The Cannonball Run", Jackie took a tumble from a great height after hanging from the hands of a clock tower. Although two awnings provided a slightly-softened landing, he still suffered a severe neck injury. Remarkably, Jackie managed to avoid paralysis.
But that wasn't the only damage in this particular film. In other scenes, Jackie also broke his nose and several fingers...
One Stunt, Five Injuries: Insane Courage
In the 1985 action film "Police Story", Jackie demonstrated incredible courage and endurance when he sustained multiple injuries in a single stunt. He jumped onto a pole in a shopping mall, slid down, and went through a glass window. The result? Electric shocks, severe burns on his hands, cuts, injuries to his pelvis and spine, and the ever-present broken finger.
Jackie could have lost the sight in one eye for almost 50 years. In 1978, he directed the cult classic "Drunken Master" and received an unfortunate kick from actor Hwang Jang-Lee to the face, resulting in a severe eye socket injury. However, thanks to immediate treatment and a touch of good fortune, Jackie has managed to maintain his vision.
These examples only scratch the surface of the countless injuries Jackie has had to endure. But it's clear that Jackie Chan's powerful will and unlikely good fortune have made it possible for him to continue pushing the limits of physical prowess – for our entertainment. Whether the 71-year-old will continue testing his resilience in his new movie, "Karate Kid: Legends", remains to be seen. The sequel to the 1984 original will hit German cinemas on May 29.
- Jackie Chan
- Action movie
- Injury
- Stunts
- Steve Harvey
- Cinema
- Jackie Chan, the action movie star, has been his own stunt double for decades, executing jaw-dropping stunts that have resulted in numerous injuries.
- Despite the countless fractures, Jackie Chan has managed to evade breaking every bone in his body, with a list of injuries spanning from head to toe.
- In the filming of "Armour of God" about 40 years ago, Jackie Chan experienced a near-death incident when a branch broke under him, resulting in a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage.
- In "Hand of Death" a decade earlier, Jackie sustained another severe head injury from hitting his head on the pavement after jumping off a moving truck.
- In the 1985 action film "Police Story", Jackie demonstrated incredible courage and endurance, suffering multiple injuries in a single stunt, including electric shocks, burns, cuts, pelvic and spine injuries, and a broken finger.
