Taking a Leap for Every Role: Jackie Chan's Grim Tally of Accidents
Jackie Chan's Most Severe Physical Mishaps - Most Severely Impactful Injuries Sustained by Jackie Chan
Here's a tale that's as action-packed as Jackie Chan himself - a man who's been performing death-defying stunts since the tender age of seven. His journey began with a role in the 1962 film, "Big and Little Wong Tin Bar." At 71, he still radiates an unmatched energy that leaves his admirers spellbound. In a recent interview for his Haute Living magazine cover story, he confessed that he'd never retire, jokingly proclaiming, "I am, and will always be, my own stunt double!"
Blessed with years of resilient training, he no longer needs physical preparation for his stunts. In his own words, "If you've been training for 64 years, you don't need to prep. It's all about heart and soul; it's muscle memory." But his "muscle memory" has endured quite a battering over six decades in the film industry.
A Litany of Fractures and Concussions
Every human body comprises over 200 bones, a fact that Jackie Chan humorously debunks when people claim he's broken every one. In an appearance on Steve Harvey's show, he listed almost every bone he's broken, from his head to his toes. The most substantial damages, though, have often been inflicted on his skull.
The close calls that could have snuffed out his life were most pronounced during the filming of "Armour of God" nearly four decades ago. A broken branch shattered his fall from a great height, leaving him with a skull fracture and a brain hemorrhage. Shockingly, a piece of bone had pierced his brain. Miraculously, a multi-hour surgery saved his life, and he still bears a metal plate under his scalp as a grim reminder of that catastrophic accident.
A decade earlier, in "Hand of Death," he suffered another severe head injury. He was supposed to jump off a moving truck, but his head took a hard hit as he landed. Despite this, he managed to perform the stunt again successfully, only to fall unconscious for about an hour afterward.
Brushes with Paralysis
In 1983, during the filming of "The Cannonball Run," he fell from a great height after hanging from the hands of a clock tower. Fortunate awnings cushioned his fall, but he still suffered a severe neck injury - yet, thankfully, without paralysis. Scenes from this film also saw him break his nose and some fingers.
The 1985 action film "Police Story" almost cost him more. In one stunt, he jumped onto a pole in a shopping mall, slid down, and shattered through a glass window. His injuries included electric shocks, burns on his hands, cuts, pelvic, and spine injuries, and, as usual, a broken finger.
Jackie Chan could have been blind in one eye for nearly 50 years. In 1978, during the filming of the cult classic "Drunken Master," he received an unfortunate kick to the face from actor Hwang Jang-Lee, causing severe damage to one of his eye sockets. Remarkably, immediate treatment saved his sight in that eye.
This is just a snapshot of the countless injuries that the actor has endured. His unwavering resilience and likely an exceptionally resilient guardian angel have seen him through. As of now, we're unsure if the 71-year-old sustained any injuries while filming his latest venture, "Karate Kid: Legends," slated for release in German cinemas on May 29.
- Jackie Chan
- Action movie
- Injury
- Steve Harvey
- Luck
- Camera
- In an interview with Steve Harvey, Jackie Chan humorously debunked the claim that he's broken every bone in his body, revealing the numerous fractures he's endured over six decades in action movies.
- Despite the numerous injuries sustained throughout his career, including skull fractures, neck injuries, and broken fingers, Jackie Chan was lucky to avoid paralysis during several life-threatening accidents.
- In a notable incident, Jackie Chan narrowly escaped losing his sight in one eye while filming "Drunken Master," a kick from actor Hwang Jang-Lee causing severe damage to his eye socket, but immediate treatment saved his vision.
