Jackie Chan seals prints at famed Hollywood theatre
Actor Jackie Chan, imprints his face during a ceremony in front of TLC Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan became the first Chinese actor Thursday to have his hands and feet cast in wet cement at Hollywood s famed Chinese Theatre, alongside generations of Tinseltown icons.
He was joined by American actor Chris Tucker, his co-star from the "Rush Hour" movies, in the ceremony in the courtyard of the TCL Chinese Theatre, as hundreds of fans screamed from across Hollywood Boulevard.
Chan, who has starred in over 100 films and directed 20, recalled first coming to the then Grauman s Chinese Theatre -- it changed name this year for sponsor Chinese company TCL -- two decades ago, invited by Sylvester Stallone.
"Twenty years, ago, 1993 ... I was not on the red carpet, (I was) on the side, and I saw there are so many stars doing interviews. I had nothing to do. I was standing there looking around to see the handprints.
"I thought to myself, when will I have my own things? During all those years my dream (grew)," he said, before thanking his co-stars, TCL, and -- to cheers from the crowd -- "the fans around the world, you make my dream come true."
The honor is considered more exclusive than that of being given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Chan was born in Hong Kong and began his international movie career in the early 1970s, going on to fame with hits including the "Rush Hour" series and "Little Big Soldier."
The 59-year-old -- who stuck his face into the Tinseltown cement, as well as his hands and besocked feet -- also worked as a stunt coordinator for martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
The courtyard of the TCL Chinese Theatre is paved with the hand- and foot prints of decades of Hollywood greats, from Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis to Jane Fonda and Brad Pitt.
Chan said that, as well as being the first Chinese actor honored, he was actually the first to have his handprints done twice. "Twelve years ago I did the handprint, but somebody stole it," he said.
"Then that s the second time. I really want to thank you."
