Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Hong Kong American martial artist, actor, movie director, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement. Lee is famous for martial arts films in the United States in the 1970s, when he played in a series of movies. Lee starred in five movies: The Big Boss, Fist of Fury (also known as The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand), The Way of the Dragon (also known as Return of the Dragon), Enter the Dragon and The Game of Death.

He starred in the first ever martial arts movie in the United States - called Enter the Dragon, which was released after Bruce's death. He died in 1973 during the production of a movie called, The Game of Death. The movie was not finished, although some completed section were later released. Almost 20 years later his son, Brandon Lee would also die while making a movie. Lee also taught other people martial arts, including actors Huggo Chairres, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He inspired many other actors who are famous for using martial arts in their movies including Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Tony Jaa, and Chuck Norris. Jackie Chan had a small part in 'Enter The Dragon' and Chuck Norris co-starred in Way of The Dragon.

He is noted for his major contributions to both the Hong Kong and American movie industry during the 1970s, his martial arts movement and innovative ideas (including Jeet Kune Do), his philosophy, and his physical fitness ability. He is considered to be a cultural icon and is considered to be one of the most influential martial artists ever by social critics and other martial artists alike.

On the night of July 20, 1973, Lee aged 32, died at his home from cerebral edema, which is a buildup of fluid around the brain. This is believed to have been caused by a reaction to painkillers he was taking for a back injury.

 Movies 
Golden Gate Girl (1941)
The Birth of Mankind (1946)
Wealth is Like a Dream (1948)
Sai See in the Dream (1949)
The Story of Fan Lei-fa (1949)
The Kid (1950)
Blooms and Butterflies (1950)
Infancy (1951)
A Myriad Homes (1953)
Blame it on Father (1053)
The Guiding Light (1953)
A Mother's Tears (1953)
In the Face of Demolition (1953)
An Orphan's Tragedy (1955)
Orphan's Song (1955)
Love (1955)
We Owe It to Our Children (1955)
The Faithful Wife (1955)
The Wise Guys Who Fool Around (1956)
Too Late For Divorce (1956)
The Thunderstorm (1957)
Darling Girl (1957)
The Orphan (1960)
The Wrecking Crew (1968, as choreographer)
Marlowe (1969)
A Walk in the Spring Rain (1970, as choreographer)
The Big Boss (1971)
Fist of Fury (1972)
The Way of the Dragon (1972)
The Game of Death 死亡的遊戲 (1972)
Fist of Unicorn (1973, as choreographer)
Enter the Dragon (1973)

TV series
The Green Hornet and crossover with Batman (1966-1967) 
Ironside(1968)
Blondie (1968)
Here Come the Brides (1968)
Longstreet (1971, as Jeet Kune Do expert)


 Notes 

 References 

 Other websites 

 Hong Kong Bruce Lee Club


 Bruce Lee Foundation
 Bruce Lee talk
Sketchu: Drawn portrait of Bruce Lee
 Circle of Iron: Bruce Lee's Lost Movie
 Bruce Lee quotes 

Category:1940 births
Category:1973 deaths
Category:Deaths from cerebral edema
Category:American martial artists
Category:Hong Kong sportspeople
Category:Educators from San Francisco
Category:Hong Kong actors
Category:Actors from San Francisco
Category:American movie actors
Category:American television actors
Category:American movie directors
Category:American movie producers