HONG KONG, Aug 28, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Kung-fu daredevil, Hollywood star and 
Guinness world-record holder, and now Hong Kong-born actor Jackie Chan is set 
to be a torchbearer in the lead-up to Wednesday's opening ceremony of the 
Paralympics in Paris.

The 70-year-old commands a huge following in France and beyond, his signature 
blend of comedy and martial arts transcending language barriers.

Born in British colonial Hong Kong in 1954, Chan Kong-sang started his film 
career as a child actor and worked as a stunt double in the 1972 Bruce Lee 
film "Fist of Fury".

His brand of thrilling fights interjected with slapstick humour -- showcased 
in films such as "Drunken Master" and "Police Story" -- made him a household 
name in Hong Kong and across Asia.

But his stunt work also led to frequent injuries, and the outtakes of scenes 
gone wrong were typically shown at the end of his films in blooper reels 
alongside the credits.

Guinness World Records recognised him in 2012 for "Most stunts by a living 
actor".

Chan's Hollywood breakthrough came with "Rumble in the Bronx" in 1996 and the 
subsequent "Rush Hour" trilogy where he starred opposite American comedian 
Chris Tucker.

The third instalment of the Rush Hour movies, filmed in France, had a pivotal 
fight scene at the Eiffel Tower, with Chan somersaulting and rolling off the 
iron beams of the Paris icon to evade his opponent.

"I did all my stunts, even the scene full of fighting and acrobatics on top 
of the Eiffel Tower," he told reporters in 2007 during the premiere.

"I can tell my grandchildren, 'This is your grandfather. This is me. That's 
not a double flying around the Eiffel Tower in 100 mile-per-hour winds'," 
Chan said.

On Wednesday he is expected to take over the ceremonial torch in the 
afternoon. This will not be his first time carrying the Olympic flame.

In 2008 he was among several other Chinese personalities -- including Zhang 
Ziyi of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fame -- to carry the Olympic torch 
ahead of the Games in Beijing.

- Oscar recognition -

Despite a late start to his international film career Chan has been listed 
multiple times in the past decade as being among the best-paid actors in the 
world.

He has also starred in big-budget action blockbusters such as "Shanghai 
Noon", "The Karate Kid" and the "Kung Fu Panda" series of animated films.

Chan was awarded the Honorary Oscar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, 
saying, "After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films -- I 
broke so many bones -- finally this is mine!"

Back in Hong Kong, his star has waned somewhat over the years as Chan's pro-
Beijing stance rankled some fans, and his decision to join China's top 
political advisory body made headlines in 2013.

A video emerged in 2021 of him saying he wanted to be a card-carrying Chinese 
Communist Party member.

"I'm honoured to be a Chinese person. But I'm also very envious that you are 
a party member. I think the Communist Party is just too great... I want to be 
a party member!" he said.

Chan sits at the head of a sprawling business empire encompassing a clothing 
line, cinemas and restaurants.

His net worth was estimated at $350 million in 2015, according to Forbes.

Speaking to reporters at the premiere of Rush Hour 3, the then-53-year-old 
said he sometimes forgets his age.

"You just keep moving," he said. "I'll do it until my body will tell me stop. 
I don't think about retirement," he said.