TORONTO -- Toronto saw its first weekend Rush Hour yesterday as martial arts movie star Jackie Chan became the city's newest honorary citizen.

"Who's better than Jackie Chan?" shouted Mayor Mel Lastman as he awarded Chan with a key to the city.

"Nooooobody!" cried Chan's adoring fans at the SkyDome.

Thrills, spills, tumbles and laughs were all on the agenda at Chan's action-packed charity event, Knight of the Dragon: Jackie Chan Live in Person.

"I didn't practise. I don't know what I'm doing," Chan told the crowd. "I just wanted to do something for the sick kids and the seniors."

Born to a poor family in Hong Kong, Chan is no stranger to working hard. That's why he feels it is so important to take time out of his busy schedule and give back to others.

"Train hard, study hard and one day you'll be somebody," he said.

Lastman said Chan has helped more than 40 charities.

DREAM FULFILLED

"Jackie is best at playing the hero -- a role that suits him both on and off the screen," Lastman said. "In these difficult times, we can use more stars like Jackie Chan."

Super-fan Fritz Titus, 31, said seeing Chan was like fulfilling one of his dreams.

"He's my childhood idol. I grew up watching him, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris," Titus said.

A second-degree black belt karate enthusiast, Titus had nothing but praise for his idol -- and dreams of one day rising to Chan's level of fame. "He's amazing," he said. "He does his own stunts; he's action-packed; he's entertaining -- the man is awesome."

Chan, who's in town filming Tuxedo, has starred in Shanghai Noon, Rush Hour and Rumble in the Bronx.

He hoped to raise $500,000 yesterday, with all proceeds going to The Hospital for Sick Children and the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.


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