For Jackie Chan, being an International film star comes with its fair share of knocks - - and breaks, contusions and concussions. But don't cry for our poor Jackie just yet. With an ability to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office worldwide, this 47-year old action star is laughing his bruised and battered body all the way to the bank.

But the road hasn't always been lined with gold. Jackie hails from a modest background in Hong Kong, with a family so poor, they almost sold him as an infant. At the age of seven he was indentured into the Peking Opera School, where he spent the next decade in rigorous training. It was here that Jackie's nimble training really paid off. In the end, he found himself to be a master in martial arts, acrobatics, singing, dancing and acting.

Starting his film career as a stunt man, Jackie was propelled to stardom as the potential successor to the late Bruce Lee. In fact, in his earliest roles, Chan was often seen as a fierce serious type of avenger. But it was when he began playing for laughs - that was what really catapulted him into mega celebrity status. As evident to anyone who's seen a Jackie Chan film, it's his tireless (and dangerous) devotion to the most elaborate fight gags and out of this world stunts. And in his trademark montage of outtakes that typically end all of his films, fans get to see first hand why Jackie Chan is Asia's greatest import.

Jackie Chan hanging around Hollywood - literally - on the set of the original "Rush Hour" film!

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

Betty: When you were making the very first Rush Hour film, did you envision making Rush Hour 2?
JACKIE: Never. When I made Rush Hour and I saw it, I didn't really like it. I didn't think it would make it in the American market, because I don't know that much about American humor. But when it was released…BOOM, big hit. I didn't understand why. And when I went to the premiere, everybody in the city [Los Angeles] went crazy. But it wasn't a success in Asia like it was in America.

BETTY: Maybe people in America don't understand how big of a film star you are in Asia - - but didn't the female suicide rates in your country go up when got married?
JACKIE: It makes me very sad and very nervous. Once I just said I had a girlfriend, and a girl jumped in the subway and committed suicide. Then another girl was in front of my office drinking poison. Another girl came to Hong Kong and followed me for 24 hours, staying in front of my house and my office. So many things have happened! When I stay in a hotel, I have all my friends stay in the rooms next door to me. They're just watching me everyday. It makes me very nervous.

BETTY: Wow. How do you manage to cope with all of those groupies?
JACKIE: I went to Japan and set up a big meeting with three thousand fans. I said, "Look, there's only one Jackie Chan. If I wanted a girl from here, only one, how can I get married to three thousand girls?" They just screamed, "No!" Same thing when I asked them if I could cut my hair. Japanese fans are crazy. In Hong Kong it's okay because they treat me like the boy next door. But like in Korea and some other countries, it's crazy.

BETTY: Is that why you continue to make so many Asian films? For the fans? JACKIE: The Asian movies are for the fans around the world. I have fans in America but they're action fans, and they've known me for 20 years. With Rush Hour - the Asian market didn't like it. But they still support me. So that's why I go back and forth making Asian and American films. But I don't want to be an action star anymore… I just want to be a star. I want to have one audience.

BETTY: So what kind of movie would you do if you want just "one audience?"
JACKIE: Steven Spielberg's next movie, Tuxedo. He's the producer. He asked me to direct, but I said, "No." I'm a taxi driver who suddenly becomes a spy, and I get to do my real stunts and real action with just a little bit of special effects. But I'd like to do something like Jurassic Park…you know, walking with the dinosaurs!

BETTY: Did you tell Spielberg that you wanted to be in Jurassic Park 3?
JACKIE: He said, "No. What we like you [as] is Jackie Chan, the action star. That's what we like!"

Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker reprise their roles in Rush Hour 2

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

BETTY: Not many Asian actors make it big in America. Why do you think you managed to slip through?
JACKIE: American audiences think I'm a new action star. But I'm an old action star. I think because all of those years (over thirty some years) with what I've done the word of mouth slowly introduced me. I'm like a bank. I save and collect all of my fans… and they don't ever go away.

BETTY: You have a wonderful way of making your actions films non-violent. Is that a conscious effort on your part?
JACKIE: I have to be very careful about my action films…because so many children like my movies. I always tell myself to be careful. It's very, very difficult.