There are few pure martial artist stars in Hollywood right now, and one of them is Jet Li. Sometimes confused with the late Bruce Lee, the naturalized Singaporean citizen blew people away with his martial arts stunts.
Li began learning Wushu at a young age and became the national champion at 12. He also retained his title from 1975 to 1979. Born on 26 April 1963 in China, his martial arts career ended due to a knee injury.
However, his fame didn’t stop there. He came to Hollywood and wrote his own destiny. He has appeared in films like The Forbidden Kingdom, Hero, Unleashed, and more. The martial artist turned actor was also requested by President Nixon to become his personal bodyguard but declined the offer. But that was years ago; people haven’t seen him star in a blockbuster for a long time, so many are wondering if he is alive.
Contrary to rumors, Jet Li is alive and well at 60. He still stars in films but drastically reduced his working schedule after being diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and spinal problems in the 2010s. This isn’t the first time the actor has been rumored dead. Back in 2018, similar speculations arose, but the actor squashed them with a post. His last film was the 2020 Disney movie Mulan.
Is Jet Li Still Alive?
Yes, Jet Li is alive and well. As per Celebrity Net Worth, he is 60 years old now and has $250 million in wealth. Just because he isn’t in the public eye, much doesn’t mean he’s dead. The last Hollywood film he starred in was Mulan (2020), where he played the Emperor of China. Before that, he appeared in The Expendables 3 in 2014. In between, he appeared in two Chinese films- 2017’s Gong Shou Dao and 2016’s League of Gods.
Just because he hasn’t been seen in films, much doesn’t mean he is idle. In 2023, he visited Nepal with his wife, Nina, and their two kids- Jane and Jade. He met his old meditation guru, a Tibetan Monk named Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Here’s the Instagram post:
This isn’t the first time rumors about the actor’s death have circulated. In 2018, the same speculations arose after he was seen with his head shaven, thinner, and looking sick. But he assured fans that he was doing well in a post. He wrote:
“I would like to thank all my fans who expressed concerns about my health. I’m doing great and feeling great!”
However, if he’s doing well, why isn’t he acting in films much?
Why Doesn’t Jet Li Act in Films Anymore?
In 2010, the actor was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. This condition prevented him from practicing his martial arts training and staying fit. However, he was able to slow down the effects with medications. But that was only till 2013 when the condition came back stronger.
The effects of the disease were visibly seen too. It had affected Jet Li’s heart rate and metabolism, as a result of which he looked fuller. To make matters worse, he was also diagnosed with spinal problems due to training intensely and putting his body through bonkers action scenes. Doctors informed him that if he didn’t take a break, he could become wheelchair-bound. So he extensively slowed down his career to live.
This is why fans of the actor and people who love martial art movies haven’t seen the actor on screen much. However, the actor still gets offers to star in tentpole films. Recently, Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick films, stated that he wanted to cast Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the franchise with lead Keanu Reeves.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, John Wick 5 has been announced. It will be interesting to see if Jet Li stars in the film.
What are your thoughts on the Jet Li death rumors?
Do you think it’s irresponsible for people to spread such news without proof? Should Jet Li star in more films, especially Hollywood tentpoles?
Let us know in the comments below.
