Remember Jet Li, the action star known for his very physical roles in films like Lethal Weapon 4, Romeo Must Die, Hero, and The Forbidden Kingdom??
Sadly, it appears that the man you probably remember from the picture (above, from a 2010 movie release in China) is far from the reality living out the actor's life today.
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News reports coming out of Hong Kong this week are revealing new pictures reportedly of the 55-year-old Expendables star, and he looks like someone 20 or 30 years older than you'd expect due to a litany of health conditions and issues that have plagued him over the last several decades.
Li has been suffering the last few years from hyperthyroidism (he was reportedly diagnosed in 2010) as well as a heart condition, and the combination has drastically aged the once-buff, dynamic film star to the point where fans are now shocked upon seeing pictures of him.
Take this picture, allegedly snapped very recently and showing Jet Li with an adoring fan (below):
So, apparently, Jet Li is suffering from "hyperthyroidism and spinal problems" and this is him now ????: pic.twitter.com/Ss0W2EL96D
— simon (@StxNaty) May 19, 2018
Um... WOW.
Li (on the right) is frail and weak -- and completely unrecognizable from the vibrant man we'd all come to know from so many action flicks through the early 2000s.
Hard to believe, we know, but sadly not quite so far from his own most recent Instagram post just months ago:
Introducing GSD to the world is my happiest moment in 2017, it was my pleasure to teach some basic wushu steps to ambassadors from various countries. #jetli #wushu #jetlicomA post shared by Jet Li (@jetli) on Jan 24, 2018 at 5:11am PST
Multiple health problems linked to long, rough days on set doing stunt work and action sequences have damaged Li's health; he has admitted his movements are very limited, and he can no longer stand for a long period of time without hunching over.
Worse yet, he has (reluctantly) completely withdrawn from filmmaking, effectively finding himself forced out of the business due to his health problems.
But it's his rapid aging -- brought on by the hyperthyroidism among other conditions -- that has fans shocked.
Ugh.
Our hearts go out to Jet Li and his family. He's still just 55 years old -- may he find peace, happiness, and good health for the rest of his life.
[Image via WENN.]
bluedevil555 48yo West Coast, Florida, United States
