Jackie Chan celebrated his 70th birthday on April 7 by reassuring fans about his health following concerns sparked by recent photos showing him with grey hair. The iconic actor took to Instagram to clarify that any images of him looking older than his age are simply for a character in an upcoming movie.
In his Instagram post, Chan addressed the worries expressed by fans, stating, 'Not so long ago, a lot of friends saw some recent photos of me on the internet, and they were all concerned about my health. I want to take this opportunity to let everyone know, don't worry! It's just a character appearance for my latest movie. The character requires me to have white hair, white beard and look old.'
Chan, who has been in the entertainment industry for 62 years, emphasized his willingness to take on new challenges for his roles. He did not reveal the specific character that necessitated the grey hair transformation but mentioned his recent voice role in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem' and his upcoming reprisal of Mr. Han in the next 'Karate Kid' movie alongside Ralph Macchio.
The new 'Karate Kid' film, directed by Jonathan Entwistle, is scheduled for release by Sony Pictures on December 13, 2024. Reflecting on turning 70, Chan shared a sentiment from his colleague Sammo Hung, highlighting the privilege of growing old, particularly for individuals in physically demanding professions like stunt work.
Chan expressed his love for filmmaking and gratitude for the support from his fans, thanking everyone for their birthday wishes. He concluded his message with well wishes for everyone's happiness and health.
For the full message from Jackie Chan, visit his Instagram account.