“After 200 Movies, You Certainly Deserve This Oscar”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Heaped Praise on ‘Great Friend’ Jackie Chan in 2016

Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger are the two legends of the film industry. Schwarzenegger entered Hollywood after being famous in the West because of his bodybuilding. However, Chan entered the industry as a novice. Though he was already a big figure in the Hong Kong film industry, not many knew him in the west. It took years of dedication and multiple attempts for the action comedy legend to break through in Hollywood.

Ultimately, Chan came to be known as one of the most popular action film stars of all time. For his contribution to art and cinema, Jackie Chan was honored with the lifetime achievement award in 2016. Arnold Schwarzenegger stood by Jackie Chan when he received the honor. Soon after the ceremony, the bodybuilding legend shared a post on Facebook to congratulate his “good friend.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulated Jackie Chan

In 2016, Chan received the Academy Award for his lifetime achievement in Hollywood. Though the actor confessed he never expected to win the title, the entire film fraternity, along with the fans, shared the opinion that Chan deserved the award. Soon after the announcement, congratulations were in toe.

Schwarzenegger, who sat next to Chan in the ceremony, congratulated the winner after the event too. The bodybuilder shared a photo with the star from one of their acting gigs. Adding a caption, he wrote, “Congratulations to my great friend Jackie Chan on his fantastic honor – after 200 movies, you certainly deserve this Oscar. You always inspire.”

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Not only was Chan caught off guard by the award, but he was also overwhelmed by the appreciation that followed. Jackie Chan gave a detailed account of his special moment in his book, Never Grow Up.

An account of the special evening in 2016

Chan mentioned how he was sitting next to “old friend and co-star” Arnold Schwarzenegger, completely clueless about what was about to happen. The now 68-year-old was taken by surprise when three presenters began introducing him.

Chan defines the moment as a “dream come true,” for the star never imagined he’d win one in real life. Receiving the award, surrounded by close friends, the memory goes down as one of the most treasured moments in Chan’s life.

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