Honorary Oscar for Jackie Chan

By Sandy Cohen
AP Entertainment Writer

Jackie Chan

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The film academy announced Sep.1 that actor Jackie Chan, film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentarian Frederick Wiseman are getting honorary Academy Awards.

Chan has written, directed, produced and starred in dozens of films, dazzling with his stunts and martial arts. His most recent release is “Skiptrace” with Johnny Knoxville; past credits include the “Rush Hour” series with Chris Tucker, “The Karate Kid” reboot and voicing a monkey in the animated “Kung-Fu Panda” films. Chan has never been nominated for an Oscar and doesn’t make the kind of movies that generally would be nominated.

Filmmaker Edgar Wright cheered the choice on Twitter.

“So pleased The Academy are awarding Jackie Chan with an honorary Oscar this year. The man is a legend of action cinema & its truly deserved,” Wright wrote.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has long presented honorary Oscars to recognize humanitarian work, lifetime achievement, and exceptional contributions to film. Since 2009, the organization has presented those statuettes at a private, untelevised dinner dedicated solely to the recipients. The move has allowed for a broader range of honorees, including comedians (Steve Martin in 2013), stuntmen (Hal Needham in 2012) and this year’s editor and casting director.

Chan will received his Oscar statuette at the eighth annual Governors Awards on Nov. 12.