Jet Li for the first time reacted seriously to rumors that had spread strongly on social networks about him "replacing the heart of a young martial artist to prolong his life".
The 63-year-old actor frankly shared: "I have been rumored dead many times in the past 10 years. People even organized a memorial service online for me." Despite maintaining a calm tone, he still could not hide his fatigue when mentioning the malicious rumors that had lasted for many years.
What made Jet Li unable to continue to remain silent was that a young Shaolin martial artist and his family were dragged into an unfounded story. He said: "We are public figures, but a martial artist over 20 years old who is completely innocent is put into such rumors. Secondary harm to their family is very serious".
According to Chinese media, the cause began in August 2025, when Jet Li underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor in his neck. After surgery, his health improved significantly, especially his hyperthyroidism that lasted for more than 13 years was better controlled. The actor also changed his appearance, dyed his hair black and appeared with a younger, healthier appearance than before.
However, that positive change itself became an excuse for many false rumors to appear. On social networks, some accounts began to spread information that Jet Li had undergone "heart transplant surgery". Things went further when a fabricated story appeared related to a Shaolin martial artist named T.P, who died in a traffic accident in 2025. And many people believe that the male actor had his heart transplanted from this martial artist to help him maintain a good life and health.
Many netizens believe that the subjects who spread the news intentionally combined two unrelated events to create sensational content, attract views and interaction.
Previously, Jet Li had repeatedly chosen to respond with a humorous attitude. In November 2025, he posted a video of exercising with his upper body exposed to prove that his body did not have major surgical traces as rumored. In March this year, he continued to joke: "If you exchange organs, why not exchange Huawei's heart, Xiaomi's liver, or Tesla's kidney?
In the latest interview, the actor continued to affirm: "I don't replace the heart. To replace the heart, the heart must be sick, while my heart has no problems".
However, unlike previous times, this time Jet Li no longer maintained a joking attitude when mentioning the family of the young martial artist who was implicated. His statement quickly received great sympathy from the public.
Many viewers believe that what Jet Li cares most about is not his personal reputation, but the invisible damage that rumors cause to innocent people.
