The man in the photo looked both familiar and foreign. The media would describe the bespectacled face, crows feet prominently framing the eyes under the glaring sun, as “frail” and “unrecognizable.” One headline pondered, “is this the same Jet Li we all know.”
A picture allegedly of the martial artist has alarmed fans and raised questions about the 55-year-old action star’s health. Long known for his youthful looks and acrobatic moves spanning decades of action movies, in recent years Li has battled hyperthyroidism, a condition that can cause fatigue and weight loss and that has previously ignited rumors of Li’s declining health. But Li’s manager has refuted the rumors, and offered what he said was a recent photo of the star.
The South China Morning Post reported Saturday that fans were “praying for his health” after the emergence of the photo, which the SCMP said was taken at a temple in Tibet and has been widely shared. Others have speculated that the man they believe is Li looks older because of bad lighting or the angle.
On Monday Jet Li’s manager, Steven Chasman, said that it was just a bad photo of someone who is 55 years old.
“He has hyperthyroidism that he’s been dealing with for almost 10 years. It’s nothing life-threatening and he’s dealing with it,” Chasman told the Washington Post, adding that he has spoken with Li’s assistant.
Diagnosed with an overactive thyroid in 2010, Li has previously spoken about his condition, saying in 2013 that he was uncertain if he could continue working but was determined to, according to the Associated Press.
“I’m in pain, but I’m not suffering. I’m happy,” he said, adding that he took medication.
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