Jackie Chan gets standing ovation during rare appearance at Critics Choice Awards 2025

Jackie Chan got a standing ovation during his latest public outing, making a rare appearance at the Critics Choice Awards.

The legendary actor, who turns 71 in just a couple months, brought the crowd to their feet as he shocked viewers with his attendance at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Friday, Feb. 7. Chan was introduced to the stage by host Chelsea Handler, who jokingly referred to him as "a sexual icon."

When the Shanghai Noon star walked out onto the stage to introduce the award for foreign language film, he was met with an extended standing ovation from his industry peers. It was obvious just how honored he was to be greeted with such enthusiasm, thanking the passionate audience as he was visibly wowed by the warm welcome.

As a fan continued to cheer in the audience, Chan quipped, "Quiet, let me remember my dialogue."

"Tonight, we're celebrating movies," the actor began. "They remind us that we may be from all different parts of the world, different walks of life, but we all laugh and cry and eat too much popcorn in the same way."

Once the award was given to Emilia Pérez, director Jacques Audiard began his speech by saying, "It's a magnificent day. I just received a prize from Jackie Chan. I feel like I've died and gone to Heaven." 

Chan's appearance at the Critics Choice Awards comes ahead of an upcoming Karate Kid movie that is set to hit theaters on May 30. In November 2023, Chan and Ralph Macchio were announced to be reprising their roles in the film. Macchio, now 62, played teenage mentee Daniel LaRusso in the original 1984 film, a role that was later played by Jaden Smith in the 2010 reboot that co-starred Chan.

The action-packed trailer for the upcoming movie, titled Karate Kid: Legends, debuted on Dec. 17, 2024, with newcomers Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley and Ming-Na Wen in the cast.

It seems like the movie legend has been doing a lot in preparation for his new film, also recently being spotted at the Paralympic Games in August 2024. The actor took to the streets of Paris to carry the event’s iconic flame in his iconic, recognizable style ahead of the event’s opening ceremony.

While wearing a white tracksuit and his trademark black eyeglasses, the martial artist waved enthusiastically to the crowd on both sides of the street as he walked through the historic city. No matter where he goes, fans always show love for Jackie Chan.