Jackie Chan nearly walked away from his movie dreams, until two iconic underdog films gave him the motivation to keep going.
The martial arts legend, who turned 71 in April, revealed that watching Karate Kid and Rocky during a low point in his career completely changed his outlook and inspired him to stick with it.
In an interview with Extra, Jackie said, “This year, I’ve been in the film industry for 64 years.” But early on, things weren’t so promising. “I remember when I was a stunt guy; at that time, action movies were not popular anymore. We don’t know what to do. I try to give up,” he admitted. Things changed when he went to see The Karate Kid in 1984 with friends. “When I see it, I see the energy, I see the positive message, and then I think, ‘I should not give up. Life knocks me down, I get back up’.”
That single movie gave Jackie the push he needed to continue training and chase bigger roles. But just as he was gaining momentum, he watched another powerhouse film, Rocky. “Then I see Rocky, ‘Eye of the Tiger,’ wow! And suddenly full of energy,” he said. The message of perseverance and rising above defeat hit home hard.
At the time, Jackie was still deep in martial arts training at the dojo, not knowing where his next paycheck, or opportunity, might come from. But fate intervened again when a director saw his moves and told him, “You be an actor.” Jackie took it seriously. “Luckily, I didn’t give up. I still keep training. That makes my day,” he added.
Fast forward to now, and Jackie is starring in Karate Kid: Legends, playing kung fu mentor Mr. Han. For longtime fans, it’s a full-circle moment, especially since it was the original Karate Kid that sparked a fire in him decades ago.
Despite hitting 71, Jackie isn’t slowing down. In fact, retirement isn’t even on his radar. Speaking to Haute Living, he said, “Of course, I always do my own stunts. It’s who I am. That’s not changing until the day I retire, which is never!” His devotion to doing his own action sequences has become his trademark, even when the industry itself has shifted toward green screens and digital doubles.
But Jackie insists he doesn’t need elaborate preparation anymore. “When you’ve done it for 64 years straight, there’s no physical preparation anymore. Everything is in your heart and soul; it is muscle memory,” he said. That kind of endurance isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional, and deeply rooted in discipline.
He also commented on how technology has changed filmmaking since he started. “In the old days, the only [choice we had] was to be there and jump; that’s it. Today, with computers, actors can do anything, but there’s always a sense of reality that you feel is missing.” He’s not against CGI, but it’s clear he believes the rawness of real action can’t be replicated.
From almost quitting to becoming a symbol of perseverance and discipline, Jackie Chan’s journey shows that sometimes the right movie can completely redirect your path. Thanks to the fighting spirit of Rocky and the inspirational vibes of Karate Kid, Jackie chose not to give up, and the world is all the better for it.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
