According to Cosmopolitan magazine, Jackie Chan has an estimated net worth of USD$400mil (RM1.76bil) as of 2023. Photos: Shanghai Pictures
Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan is currently promoting his latest action-comedy movie, Ride On, which tells the story of a washed-up stuntman named Luo (Chan) and his trusty horse, Red Hare.
At the film’s premiere attended by StarLifestyle in Beijing, Chan reflected on the early days of his career and said he’s grateful to be where he’s at now.
He revealed that when he first started out, he was only paid 5 yuan (RM3.20) a day for playing a dead body in cold water.
“Even then, I was scolded and yelled at. There was no honour at all.
“When I jumped from a tall building for a stunt scene, a group of dubbing actors told me I couldn’t act. But I refused to admit defeat. I wanted to prove myself.
“Not long after, the same people (who insulted me) started praising me (for my stunt work),” he remembered.
After making a name for himself in Asia, Chan decided to aim higher and go for Hollywood.
In 1980, he made his first attempt at breaking into the American market with the movie, The Big Brawl. However, he temporarily abandoned his attempts after his 1985 movie, The Protector, flopped at the box office.
He only rekindled his Hollywood ambitions in the 1990s.
After over a decade since his first attempt, Chan finally broke into the North American market with the 1995 film, Rumble In The Bronx, in which he starred alongside the late Hong Kong singer Anita Mui and Canadian actors Marc Akerstream and Garvin Cross.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over US$76mil worldwide.
Chan cemented his status as an international superstar after co-starring with Chris Tucker in the 1998 buddy cop action movie, Rush Hour.
He would go on to star in more Hollywood blockbusters like Shanghai Noon, The Karate Kid and The Spy Next Door.
Today, Chan has an estimated net worth of USD$400mil (RM1.76bil) as per reported by Cosmopolitan magazine.
While the action star always dreamed of breaking into the Hollywood market when he was younger, he advised aspiring actors today to not follow his footsteps.
Jackie Chan says he will be making action movies as long as he can.“I went there but no one praised my fighting skills. They only cared about my English, so I gave up on Hollywood.
“Today, I’m proud of my decision because I realised that now, it’s not me who wants Hollywood... it’s Hollywood who wants me,” he said.
The martial arts star also urged actors to focus on developing their careers in China first as they may only be given small roles if they aim for Hollywood from the get-go.
“People won’t write scripts for you. It’s better to get a big role and develop in China first. When you become successful, people will naturally look for you,” he added.
As for his key to success, Chan said it’s all about passion and perseverance.
“If you have a dream, you have to work hard to achieve it. Don’t give up. You need to keep trying even if you fail,” he advised.
“I have failed so many times in life, but I never gave up. I always try my best to move on and do better.”
An everlasting bond
Ride On may seem like your typical action-comedy film at first glance, but it’s a story packed with tear-jerking moments guaranteed to have you reaching for the tissues.
In the movie, audiences can see the heartwarming bond between Luo and his horse, Red Hare – which he saved from being euthanised due to its weak legs and lungs.
At a roundtable interview, Chan said he formed an unbreakable bond with his equine co-star during the two-month shoot.
“I developed a strong bond with Red Hare from the very first day of filming. Every morning when I go on set, I’d talk to Red Hare to try to get to know it better,” he said.
Chan and his horse buddy got along very well on set.
“I’d always tell the crew members to not touch Red Hare, and to let me get along with it, feed it and take care of it.
“Soon enough, we grew much closer and developed a stronger sense of trust for each other,” he added.
Chan described his horse buddy as being “like a relative”.
And when the time finally came for them to part, he couldn’t help but burst into tears, as seen in a behind-the-scenes video. The horse appeared to feel the same way as it kept wanting to go back to him.
When asked about whether or not he adopted Red Hare in the end, as suggested by netizens on social media, Chan responded no. According to director Yang, Red Hare is now living in one of the best horse farms in China.
“Since filming began, Brother (Chan) has been asking me where Red Hare will go after shooting is done. He’d go out of his way to contact and find the best (horse farms).
“It was only when we decided to send Red Hare to one of China’s finest horse farms did Brother feel relieved,” he said.
Ride On is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
