CHINA / Newsmaker

Jackie Chan apologizes for drunken disruption
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-18 09:30

Jackie Chan apologized Sunday for his drunken disruption at Taiwan singer-songwriter Jonathan Lee's concert last week after the actor unexpectedly climbed on stage and verbally sparred with annoyed audience members.

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan performs as a guest singer during Taiwanese pop musician Jonathan Lee's concert in Hong Kong in this July 9, 2006 file photo. Local media reports on July 11, 2006 said an apparently drunk Chan had disrupted Lee's concert the previous night.
Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan performs as a guest singer during Taiwan pop musician Jonathan Lee's concert in Hong Kong in this July 9, 2006 file photo. Local media reports on July 11, 2006 said an apparently drunk Chan had disrupted Lee's concert the previous night. [Reuters]

Chan was a scheduled concert guest last Sunday but showed up unannounced on stage the following evening.

His surprise appearance was filmed by an audience member, apparently by cell phone, and posted on the video-sharing Web site Youtube.com. After Monday's incident, the Ming Pao Daily News quoted Chan saying on stage that he was drunk.

The three-minute film showed a surprised Lee asking Chan, "How come you came up?"

Viewers heckled Chan yelling "pull him off stage," "go away," and "you're so annoying." Chan then responded with a Cantonese insult.


Taiwan pop musician Jonathan Lee (L) sings with Hong Kong star Jackie Chan during Lee's concert in Hong Kong July 9, 2006. [Reuters]
Preparing to sing, Chan motioned Lee's band to start playing then abruptly stopped the music with "shut up." He then walked up to one of the musicians and said, "You're quite defiant, starting to play before I say 'one, two, three.' Where are you from?"

The crowd eventually applauded after Lee and Chan start singing a duet.

Meeting with reporters after a promotional event for his upcoming action comedy "Rob-B-Hood," Chan was initially reluctant to address the incident, but later he apologized.

"I was wrong. I shouldn't play with my friendship with Jonathan Lee in public," Chan said. "I apologize to Jonathan Lee and I apologize to the audience that night."

Asked about the video footage of his disruption, he said: "I don't care. I'm not a saint. I'm an ordinary person."

Separately, he said "Rob-B-Hood," in which Chan plays a character who must protect a baby from kidnappers, is currently wrapping up post-production and will be released in Hong Kong on September 29.

Chan said he was set to film "Rush Hour 3" this summer. He said filming will take place in France, New York and Los Angeles. The actor also said he will make a movie called "Shinjuku Story" next year. He didn't give details.