Why Jackie Chan is getting an honorary Oscar

Rush hour actor, Jackie Chan will pick up Governor Awards. Photo / AP

Jackie Chan is to receive an honorary Oscar.

The Rush Hour actor, and film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, will pick up Governor Awards in November, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a statement: "The Honorary Award was created for artists like Jackie Chan, Anne Coates, Lynn Stalmaster and Frederick Wiseman - true pioneers and legends in their crafts.

"The board is proud to honour their extraordinary achievements."

Jackie, 62, won praise from the Academy for his "distinctive international career", which has seen him star in, write, direct and produce movies in his native Hong Kong, as well as achieve box office success around the globe.

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning editor Anne is best known for her work on classic 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia, and her 60-year career has also seen her work on films including The Elephant Man, Out of Sight, Murder on the Orient Express and Erin Brockovich.

Lynn has worked on over 200 movies, including The Graduate, Fiddler on the Roof and Tootsie, and he helped launch the careers of the likes of John Travolta, Jon Voight and the late Christopher Reeve.

Meanwhile, after releasing his first documentary, Titicut Follies - which went behind the scenes at a hospital for the criminally insane - in 1967, Frederick has made a movie almost every year since then.

The four Oscar statuettes will be presented at the Academy's 8th Annual Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on November 12.

The 2015 honourees were Debbie Reynolds, Spike Lee and Gena Rowlands.

- Bang! Showbiz