It feels like just yesterday we were watching him dismantle entire gangs in Romeo Must Die or defying gravity in Hero. But time is a weird thing, especially for legends. If you’re wondering about Jet Li how old he is right now, the answer is 62. He was born on April 26, 1963.
Honestly, the internet has been weirdly obsessed with his age and health for years. You’ve probably seen those viral photos. The ones where he looks "frail" or "unrecognizable" in a temple somewhere in Tibet. It usually leads to a flood of "Is Jet Li okay?" posts.
The truth is a lot more nuanced than a blurry cell phone picture.
The Reality of Aging for a Kung Fu Legend
Jet Li has been through the ringer. Physically, I mean. You don't spend decades doing your own stunts and winning five national wushu championships in China without your body keeping the receipts.
By the time he was a teenager, he was already a national hero. He even performed for President Nixon on the White House lawn. Think about that. At an age when most of us were worrying about algebra, he was a cultural diplomat.
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But that level of intensity has a cost. In 2013, he went public about his struggle with hyperthyroidism. It’s a condition that messes with your metabolism and heart rate. Basically, your body's engine is idling too high all the time.
That’s why his weight has fluctuated so much. One year he looks like the Jet Li from Lethal Weapon 4, and the next, he looks significantly older. He also dealt with serious leg and spinal injuries from years of filming. He once joked that if he keeps working the way he used to, he might end up in a wheelchair.
What’s Jet Li Doing in 2026?
He isn't just sitting around. Even at 62, he’s still active, though his focus has shifted. He’s much more into philanthropy and his spiritual path now. He’s been a devout follower of Tibetan Buddhism for over 30 years.
There’s a massive project he’s involved in right now—a $13.9 million AI revival of Kung Fu cinema. It’s pretty wild. They’re using AI to restore classic films and even "resurrect" younger versions of martial arts icons. But don't think he's replaced by a computer. He’s actually starring in a new film called Blades of the Guardians, directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping. It’s a huge ensemble piece with Wu Jing and Nicholas Tse.
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Also, he has a book coming out in May 2026 called Beyond Life and Death: The Way of True Freedom. It’s a memoir, but also a guide on his Buddhist practices. Michelle Yeoh even gave it a glowing review, calling him "deeply awake."
Why the "How Old" Question Keeps Trending
People search for Jet Li how old because of the death hoaxes. Seriously, he’s been "dead" on social media more times than I can count. Just last year, in August 2025, he had to post a photo of himself eating noodles just to prove he was out of the hospital after a minor surgery for a benign tumor.
He’s got a great sense of humor about it, though. He recently told an influencer in Tibet not to help him down the stairs because "if a video of this gets out, I'm done for." He knows the world is watching his every move, waiting for a sign of weakness.
Quick Facts About Jet Li
If you’re looking for the data, here’s the breakdown:
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- Current Age: 62 (as of early 2026).
- Birth Name: Li Lianjie.
- Citizenship: He’s been a Singaporean citizen since 2009.
- Health: Manages hyperthyroidism and past spinal injuries; recently recovered from a minor surgery in late 2025.
- Family: Married to Nina Li Chi since 1999; he has four daughters.
The Legacy Beyond the Screen
It's easy to get caught up in the numbers or the health scares. But Jet Li’s impact isn’t about how many years he’s been on the planet. It’s about how he changed action cinema. He brought a grace and fluidity to martial arts that felt more like dance than fighting.
He’s also deeply committed to the One Foundation, which he started after narrowly surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. That experience changed him. He realized that fame and money don't mean much when you're facing a wall of water.
So, yeah, he’s 62. He has some gray hair. He’s had some health battles. But he’s still here, still working, and still teaching us that "life is movement."
If you want to keep up with him, keep an eye out for his book release in May. It’s probably the closest we’ll get to understanding the man behind the "Jet" persona. You can also look for Blades of the Guardians in theaters later this year to see him back in action.
Next Steps:
Check out the trailer for Blades of the Guardians to see how he's holding up in his latest role. You can also pre-order his memoir, Beyond Life and Death, if you're interested in the philosophical side of his journey.