I feel like a god grabbed me and pulled me out of the water

Chung Cheng-kai, rescued stuntman

The stuntman explained how a fight scene in the film saw Chan kicking two people, both played by stuntmen, off a moving boat.

One of the stuntmen came up quickly from under the water but Chung Cheng-kai was caught under the boat.

Chan pulled him out by the arm, just when Chung Cheng-kai thought he could not hold out any longer and would be killed by the propeller.

"I feel like a god grabbed me and pulled me out of the water. A moment later, I would have been dead. He save my life. He give me second life," said Chung Cheng-kai.

Fearless

Action comedy Rush Hour 2, co-starring American actor Chris Tucker, is the sequel to Chan's first successful collaboration with Hollywood.

In 2000, Chan also starred in another Hollywood movie, Wild West spoof Shanghai Noon.

Like Chan's Asian productions, these US-made movies bear the actor's hallmarks of fearless action tempered by comedy.

Chan has his own film company in Hong Kong and has become one of the world's most prolific and constant film-makers. His most notable movies include Mr Nice Guy and Who Am I?

He is also well known for his hands-on approach to movie-making, performing many of his own stunts, something which has led to him breaking most of the bones in his body over the years.

The number of movies under Chan's belt, and the infectious elements of his features, have made Chan a star the world over, with children and adults.

His next feature is to be a comedy action movie called Highbinders, another Hong Kong/US collaboration.

Set in London in the 20s, it tells the tale of a Chinese immigrant police officer who is killed in the line of duty. But he returns from the dead with supernatural powers.

Chan stars in the movie alongside British comedian Lee Evans.