They say good things come to those who wait, right? Somehow, I don’t think Jackie Chan ever thought he’d have the title of Oscar winner, but now all that has changed. The 62-year-old actor, who hasn’t really aged all that much, accepted an honorary Oscar at the 8th Annual Governors Awards at the Hollywood and Highland Center on Saturday night.

Tom Hanks, Michelle Yeoh, and Chris Tucker were on hand to honor their colleague. Tom was delighted to honor him for his work in martial arts and action-packed comedic films, two genres he said were “historically underrepresented” at the Oscars. That’s sweet to say, Tom, but somehow I fail to see Shanghai Noon grabbing any gold statuettes away from, say, American Beauty, the film that won Best Picture that year. But nice sentiment anyway.

Tom went on to compare Jackie to silent film comedian Buster Keaton and to John Wayne, making sure to add, “But Jackie does something that neither of those great screen legends were ever able to do: Neither one of those great artists ever, ever put the bloopers on during the closing credits.” He’s definitely right about that. The bloopers at the end of Rumble in the Bronx are pretty awesome, and the tune is so damn catchy. (It’s called “Kung Fu” and it’s by the band Ash. Thanks, Google.)

Jackie had a charming acceptance speech, as if he were capable of doing anything else. He told the audience that “Standing here is a dream. After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, breaking so many bones, finally this is mine.” He went on to say,

“My dad always said, ‘Son, you get so many movie awards in the world, when are you going to get one of these [Oscars]?’ Then I just look at my dad. ‘Ha, ha, ha. Dad, I only make comedy action movies.'”

“I want to thank you, Hong Kong, such an incredible city, my hometown, my hood, who make me,” Chan continued. “China, my country, I am proud to be Chinese. Thank you, Hollywood, for all of those years teaching me so many things, and also [for making] me a little bit famous. I’m just honored to be here.”

[From US Magazine]

The whole speech just proves what a beloved star Jackie Chan really is. And he’s just so sweet, despite molesting friend Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar when he saw it in his house. See the speech below. It’s well worth it.

I love that he loves his fans and promises to keep on “jumping through windows, kicking and punching,” and “breaking [his] bones” for us. Back in the late 80s/early 90s, I couldn’t get enough of Jackie Chan’s martial arts flicks. I loved Rumble in the Bronx and Super Cop. His combat choreography was always dazzling, so it’s nice that Hollywood has finally acknowledged his talents. Congrats, Jackie.

Photo credit: Getty Images, Fame Flynet