Jackie Chan Says His Mother ‘Never Watched’ Any of His Movies All the Way Through. Here’s Why (Exclusive)

Jackie Chan whitethorn beryllium 1 of nan biggest action stars successful nan world, but 1 astonishing personification who “never” watched immoderate of his movies each nan measurement done was his mother, Lee-lee Chan.

“My Mom ne'er watched nan full of 1 of my movies,” 71-year-old Chan exclusively tells PEOPLE while promoting his caller movie, Karate Kid: Legends. 

Explaining her guidance to watching his activity successful films specified arsenic nan Police Story bid and Rumble successful nan Bronx, the prima says his mom, who died successful 2002, could not carnivore to spot her boy flirt pinch threat while doing his ain stunts.

“She started nan movie, starts astatine nan beginning, possibly nan credits. [But] erstwhile she sees I’m doing a stunt, she turns around,” he says. 

He continues of his mom, who was 86 erstwhile she died, “When I deed somebody, she didn’t want to see. Somebody deed me, she didn’t want to see. She ne'er watched a full movie.”

Even though she ne'er watched 1 of his celebrated movies successful its entirety, Chan assures PEOPLE that Lee-lee, who was a housekeeper, was a large instrumentality of his work. “She had each my posters,” nan character recalls affectionately. “She touched and kissed them earlier sleeping. That’s my mom.”

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Making a rare quality astatine nan 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards successful February, nan beloved character received a rapturous reception and a opinionated ovation from nan assemblage made up of journalists and his manufacture peers. After being introduced by three-time big Chelsea Handler, Jackie seemed overwhelmed by nan reaction: “Wow!" he said,

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Chan was connected manus to coming nan grant for champion overseas movie — and he utilized nan opportunity to definitive his passion for film.

"Tonight, we're celebrating movies," nan character said. "They punctual america that we whitethorn beryllium from each different parts of nan world, different walks of life, but we each laughter and outcry and eat excessively overmuch popcorn successful nan aforesaid way."

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After Emilia Pérez was named arsenic nan winner, head Jacques Audiard, besides paid tribute to nan Rush Hour star, saying, “​​It's a magnificent day. I conscionable received a prize from Jackie Chan. I consciousness for illustration I've died and gone to heaven."

In November 2023, Ralph Macchio and Chan were announced to beryllium reprising their roles successful a caller Karate Kid movie called Karate Kid: Legends. And Chan tells PEOPLE that filming nan last instalment successful nan franchise meant “more than a movie” to him.

“Not only tin I usage my [martial arts] technique, I tin show nan Chinese civilization to nan world," Chan explained.

The star, who has been joined to erstwhile character Joan Lin for 43 years, adds that he hopes nan sequel will bring group together because “the world needs a batch of love.” 

Karate Kid: Legends is group to his theaters connected May 30