Bruce Lee

80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Who Became $12.99 U.S.
A Worldwide DISPLAY UNTIL
Icon and FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Inspiration

Official
Publication
Of:





INTRODUCTION

by Thomas Lee, Editorial Director of the Chinese Historical
Society of America’s 2021 “We Are Bruce Lee” Exhibit

P. 4

ALL-AMERICAN REBEL PIONEER TV IDOL

The son of an Growing up in After returning to Bruce’s martial arts
entertainer, Bruce Hong Kong, Bruce America as a young skills and natural
Lee was born in was full of energy charisma led to an
man, Bruce found
San Francisco’s but didn’t know a calling in teaching unexpected role on
Chinatown in 1940. how to direct it. American TV.
martial arts.
P. 18 P. 28 P. 48
P. 38

ENTREPRENEUR “MY FATHER” LEGEND WE ARE
BRUCE LEE
After seeing the power An interview with Bruce Lee died
of entertainment to Shannon Lee on her unexpectedly in July What one person
reach people, Bruce stood for continues
focused on making memories of her 1973, but it didn’t
his own luck. father, and his lasting stop the rise of his to inspire.
worldwide popularity.
P. 58 legacy. P. 88
P. 78
P. 68

2 BRUCE LEE





CONFIDENCE FROM WITHIN
Good-looking and stylish, Lee broke all the stereotypes of how
Asian men had been portrayed in Hollywood. The source of his
charisma was comfort and self-assurance about who he was as a
person and what he had to offer the world.

By Thomas Lee

CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

 B ruceLeehadthelook. Historical Society of America in
Not just the face of San Francisco decided to create an
a movie star but the exhibit on Bruce Lee. CHSA is the
look of someone who oldest organization in the country
knew something others dedicated to the interpretation,
didn’t. It was the look promotion, and preservation of
of a person destined for the social, cultural and political
greatness. history and contributions of the
“I feel this great force, this Chinese in America.
untapped power, this dynamic
something within me,” Lee wrote. A Bruce Lee exhibit in the Bay
“This feeling defies description, Area has long been overdue. Lee
and [there is] no experience was born on November 27, 1940, in
with which this feeling may be San Francisco’s Chinese Hospital
compared. It is something like in Chinatown. Yet, surprisingly,
strong emotion mixed with faith, there has been little to mark
but a lot stronger.” Lee’s connection to this historic
neighborhood. Since Lee would
Throughout his life, Lee have turned 80 years old this year,
possessed an almost supernatural the timing seems appropriate.
sense of self-assurance. Some
might mistake this quality as So does the moment that we
arrogance. Yet Lee lived in a world, are all struggling to overcome.
and time, that required all the In 2020, the global pandemic
confidence he could muster. and issues of social unrest and
intolerance have made every day
It’s entirely fair to say, decades an often heartbreaking struggle.
later, that we still live in an equally Bruce Lee does not live in our
challenging world today. That time, but he shared—and worked
is a big reason why the Chinese to overcome—similar obstacles

in his own lifetime. The name of industry, in every profession, Bruce Lee “the father of mixed
CHSA’s exhibit is “We Are Bruce ideas are what America is looking martial arts.”
Lee: Under the Sky, One Family.” for,” he wrote. “Ideas have made
The title refers to how Bruce Lee America what she is and one good Bruce Lee also spent
once answered a question from idea will make a man what he considerable time thinking
an interviewer about whether wants to be.” Lee opened kung fu about how to train his body. In
he considered himself Chinese studios that catered to both the an era when people prized pure
or American. Lee said that he general public and Hollywood strength, Lee emphasized power,
considered all people to belong to celebrities. In Hong Kong, he flexibility, and speed. To this end,
the same family because we are all formed his own production he developed specific strategies on
human. company, Concord Productions, exercise, fitness, and nutrition.
to make his masterpiece Enter
Some may feel it’s impossible to the Dragon, which allowed him The Unifier: Bruce Lee
compare themselves to Bruce Lee, creative control of the film. and his films inspired people
a figure who has become a larger- across the world. Lee holds a
than-life legend. But Bruce Lee The Athlete: Lee developed particularly special place in the
was entirely human. He was born his own unique brand of martial hearts and minds of generations
like everyone else: an ordinary arts called Jeet Kune Do, which of African-Americans, who
person with a few advantages, emphasized no one style but embraced martial arts as a means
some notable challenges, and rather the improvisation of to Black empowerment. As
endless possibility. different techniques, including author David Walker wrote in
kung fu, boxing, and fencing, Becoming Black: [Lee’s movies]
To demonstrate Lee’s to best suit the opponent and “laid a foundation for what
humanity, the We Are Bruce Lee situation. Today, we see his vision would become a significant
exhibit focuses on four personas. play out in mixed martial arts, challenge to the established racial
a multi-billion-dollar global ideologies entrenched in popular
The Visionary: Bruce Lee industry led by the Ultimate culture.” The work “redefined
was a highly entrepreneurial, Fighting Championship. UFC the filters through which Blacks
innovative man who disrupted the President Dana White called were presented and perceived
worlds of entertainment, martial in popular culture.... This
arts, and pop culture. “In every

6 BRUCE LEE

SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY
As a child, Bruce Lee struggled to
channel his energy. In martial arts,
he found a way to unite and fulfill all
aspects of his potential. He then
spent the rest of his life working to
overcome challenges and obstacles
to share his beliefs with as many
people as possible. This mission
ultimately led him to reach the
masses through entertainment.

transformation, which played out people should adopt a flexibility This section of the exhibit will
in movie theaters, drive-ins, on to life that would allow them to pay particular focus to Be Water,
television, and the burgeoning overcome adversity by adapting to My Friend, a new book by Bruce
home video market of the 1980s, whatever circumstances the world Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee.
would have a tremendous impact presents. The work, published by Flatiron
on Black youth.” Books, examines how Bruce Lee’s
“Be like water making its way philosophies can serve as tools
The Thinker: Lee studied through cracks,” Lee said. “Do for personal growth and self-
philosophy at the University not be assertive, but adjust to the actualization. Through her father’s
of Washington and produced object, and you shall find a way writings, Shannon explains how
copious writings on how to around or through it. If nothing people achieve freedom, power,
obtain self-knowledge and live within you stays rigid, outward and self-expression.
one’s best life. Lee believed that things will disclose themselves.”
CHSA hopes that Bruce Lee’s
“THERE IS UNTAPPED life and words will continue to
POWER WITHIN EACH OF inspire Americans to reach our
US TO MAKE THE WORLD full potential. We sincerely believe
A BETTER PLACE.” that there is untapped power
within each of us to make the
world a better place. That is why
we are all Bruce Lee.

Thomas Lee is Editorial Director
of “We are Bruce Lee: Under One
Sky, One Family,” a new exhibit
slated to open November 2021
at the Chinese Historical Society
of America in San Francisco’s
Chinatown. For information, visit
wearebrucelee.org.

7

FATHER & SON
Bruce’s father, Li Hoi-chuen, was a
popular opera singer and film actor
in Hong Kong. Bruce was conceived
and born in San Francisco while his
parents were on tour in the U.S.



KUNG FU ON TV
The Green Hornet lasted only one
season on TV, but Lee made a
favorable impression as Kato. His
style of fighting was new and
exciting for viewers.



LEARNING THE ROPES
Lee, shown with son Brandon,
moved his family to Hong Kong to
create films that would prove that
well-made kung fu movies were
marketable.



BIRTH OF A LEGEND
In Hong Kong, Lee founded his own
production company. This gave him
the freedom and control to make
extremely popular and financially
successful films.



REMEMBER FOREVER
Bruce Lee statues, like this one in
Hong Kong, can be found around
the world—a tribute to his
popularity and the lasting impact
that Lee made in a short lifetime.





DESTINED FOR GREATNESS
Bruce Lee, shown here as a teenager, may have appeared to be 100% Chinese, but he was of Eurasian decent
and was born in San Francisco. Proud of his heritage and his birth country, Lee would spend much of his life
facing forms of discrimination in both America and Hong Kong.

A COMFORTABLE CHILDHOOD
Right: Bruce sits with his brother
on the family’s Rolls Royce in
Hong Kong. Below: Bruce (far
right) with his family, including
Robert, his mother, Peter, Agnes
and Phoebe. Bruce’s mother came
from one of the most prestigious
and wealthiest families in Hong
Kong. His father’s family was
relatively poor.

On December 8, 1939, under were often held in detention The largest enclave of Chinese
the gaze of the glistening, two- centers on the island for months families outside of Asia and
year-old Golden Gate Bridge, the and, in some cases, years. One the only area in San Francisco
SS President Coolidge rumbled young couple, because they where a Chinese individual
into the waters of San Francisco arrived on a one-year cultural could own property, Chinatown
Bay. The ocean liner’s weary work visa from Hong Kong, was reminded the couple of Hong
passengers, many of them processed without a lengthy Kong. A prime tourist attraction
immigrants journeying from the interrogation. Li Hoi Chuen and with shops and restaurants, the
ship’s point of origin, Hong Kong, Grace Ho were directed into the neighborhood had thrived since
were roused by the first sights of a city, to San Francisco’s Chinatown, it was rebuilt in the aftermath of
strange land that had long existed the neighborhood they’d call home San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake.
only in their dreams. They saw the for the next year. In the heart of the neighborhood
80-foot statue of Pacifica, goddess
of the Pacific Ocean, towering over BRUCE’S PARENTS WANTED
Treasure Island, then sailed past TO MAKE SURE THEIR
Alcatraz Island’s forbidding rocks AMERICAN-BORN SON WAS
and buildings. The Coolidge eased ALWAYS FREE TO RETURN
into the docks at Angel Island,
where just beyond the pier was the
station that was a gateway to a new
world and, the travelers hoped, a
new life.

But while Angel Island was
known as the Ellis Island of the
West, it didn’t welcome foreigners
as much as keep them out. Since
the passage of the 1882 Chinese
Exclusion Act, Chinese laborers

20 BR UC E L EE

21



WAYWARD SON BORN UNDER
By the time he was a teenager, A GOOD
Bruce, shown here with his father SIGN: THE
and mother, had a reputation for YEAR OF
being a poor student and a THE DRAGON
troublemaker with a growing taste
for gang fights in the streets of
Hong Kong. His parents tried to
encourage better behavior by
allowing Bruce to take movie roles,
which he seemed to enjoy.

was the Mandarin Theatre, which A block away from the He and Grace had agreed on the
staged operas during the day and Mandarin Theatre was the baby’s Chinese name: Li Jun Fan,
presented movies at night. The neighborhood’s largest building, which included part of Hoi Chun’s
theater was where Li Hoi, an opera the Chinese Hospital. It was father’s name, Li Jun Biao. The
singer and actor, had come to the only hospital in all of San character Jun meant to “shake
work, and he and Grace would live Francisco that opened its doors up, or excite”; fan was the Chinese
in the theater’s boarding house. to Chinese patients, and it was character for San Francisco. The
here, 11 months after arriving in name, then, roughly translated
Married 10 years earlier, Hoi the U.S., that Hoi Chuen and Grace to “shake up and excite San
Chuen and Grace came from welcomed a new child into the Francisco.”
two different worlds: the son of world—an American-born son.
a fisherman, Hoi Chuen grew up Deciding on an American
poor, in a small village in southern I t was a most auspicious year: name for the child was more
China. Grace was a member of a 1940 was the Year of the challenging. When he arrived in
wealthy and prominent Eurasian Dragon, the most powerful the U.S., Hoi Chuen’s last name
family, Hong Kong’s Rockefellers. and propitious of the zodiac was changed from Li to the
The two met when Hoi Chuen signs on the lunar calendar. anglicized “Lee.” The baby’s first
was giving a performance at the The baby was born at 7:12 name was Grace’s to decide at the
home of the richest man in Hong a.m., on November 27, 1940, hospital. The midwife, Mary E.
Kong, Sir Robert Hotung Bosman, a particularly auspicious Glover, offered a suggestion: How
Grace’s uncle. They fell in love, moment as it was the year and also about Bruce?
married, had two children, and the hour of the dragon.
adopted another. When Hoi Hoi Chuen imagined a
Chuen was invited to the U.S. for At the time of his son’s birth, very different life for his new
a one-year tour, Grace decided to Hoi Chuen was across the country, American-born son than his
accompany her husband and leave in New York City, on tour with his own. He certainly never thought
their three children with relatives opera troupe. Your boy is destined that baby Bruce—or any of his
back home—a decision that would for greatness! his fellow actors told children, for that matter—would
change their lives. him when he revealed the news. follow in his footsteps and become
an entertainer. But when a friend

23

CHILD ACTOR
In Hong Kong, Bruce followed his
father into show business and
played roles in a variety of films.
Between 1953 and 1955, he
appeared in 10 movies. But, as he
entered his teen years, the work
became harder to find. After 1957,
Bruce wouldn’t appear on screen
for three years. His new passion
quickly became martial arts.

who was a film director in San  U ponreturningtoHong Hong Kong was the Hollywood of
Francisco asked if she could use Kong, the family found the East, and Hoi Chuen was an
Hoi Chuen’s baby in one of her a land engulfed by in-demand actor who brought his
movies, Hoi Chuen didn’t see the World War II, with kids to the set. One director was so
harm in saying yes. And so, in 1941, the Japanese military taken by Bruce that he offered the
appearing in the film Golden Gate marching into China six-year-old the part of a runaway
Girl as a young baby girl being and the cholera in a movie called The Birth of
rocked to sleep in a basket, Bruce outbreak ravaging Mankind. More roles followed.
Lee, at two months old, made his the city. Disease reached the Li “Cameo by Wonder Kid Little Li
big-screen debut. household, and even threatened Hoi Chuen,” read an ad for the
the new baby. Not long after his film Wealth is Like a Dream.
By then, Hoi Chuen and Grace’s siblings met him for the first time,
one year visa was nearly up. Before Bruce quickly became so weak One day in 1950, the Li family
returning to Hong Kong, the that the family feared for his life. received a visitor at their home. A
parents worked to make sure their seasoned film director, Feng Feng,
American son would be allowed Bruce was a frail child—rail was casting for his upcoming
free entry to the U.S. when he was thin, he didn’t walk properly until movie, The Kid. Based on a comic
older. American-born Chinese he was four. But after the end of book, the story centered on a
who left were, upon return, often the war in 1945, he quickly became 10-year-old orphan struggling to
denied entry on the grounds that such an energetic child that his survive the slums. Feng had a kid
they had “repatriated,” or given up family nicknamed him Mo Si in mind to play the part, and he
their citizenship. Ting, or “Never Sits Still.” He was needed Hoi Chuen’s blessing.
full of life, with an imagination
Hoi Chuen and Grace hired a that ran wild: he devoured comic Hoi Chuen initially said no. He
lawyer to complete immigration books, reading late into the night. knew the acting life, and it was not
documents so that no one would By the time he was six, Bruce was as glamorous as it appeared; he
question Bruce’s roots. They didn’t wearing corrective glasses. wanted to see his children grow up
know when their boy would return to become doctors or lawyers. But
to the U.S., but they wanted to He was also hanging around after offering Hoi Chuen himself
ensure that he’d be welcomed. movie sets. In the 1940s and ’50s, a role in the movie—mainly so he

24 B R U C E L E E

“I WAS A BIT OF A Chinese and Eurasians, and the
TROUBLEMAKER AND WAS curriculum was taught in English.
GREATLY DISAPPROVED The environment was strict, but
OF BY MY ELDERS.” Bruce was not more behaved.

could be on set to keep a close eye son to appear in a sequel. The “From boyhood to adolescence,
on his boy—Bruce was allowed to reason was Bruce’s subpar grades I was a bit of a troublemaker and
take the role. at school, and his penchant for was greatly disapproved of by my
getting into trouble. Acting, Hoi elders,” Bruce later said. “I was
The film’s opening credits Chuen told him, was a privilege. extremely mischievous.”
listed the star as Li Long, or School was most important.
“Dragon Li.” The movie was a box His parents tried dangled movie
office success, and in the ensuing After attending a school just roles as rewards for good behavior,
weeks and months, offers for a few blocks from his home, and between 1953 and 1955, Bruce
the boy known as Little Dragon Bruce followed his brother to appeared in 10 movies. He was
came flooding in. Bruce’s father, La Salle College, one of the most becoming a familiar face on the big
however, refused all of them; prestigious prep schools in Hong screen, but as he got older, Bruce
he even rejected an offer for his Kong. Students were middle class struggled in his transition to his
teenage years. After appearing in
Darling Girl (1957), Bruce went
three years without a film.

Bruce spent more time running
with a local gang in Hong Kong’s
Kowloon district, taking part in
rooftop brawls. After five years at
La Salle, Bruce was expelled. For
Hoi Chuen and Grace, this was an
embarrassment and a sign that
their teenage son was struggling to
find his way.

25







TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL
Bruce struggled to accept the rigid formalities of traditional education. But his natural energy and hunger
for new experiences led him to pursue many passions—from acting, to dancing, and, eventually, martial arts.
Naturally gifted and not afraid of hard work, Bruce tended to excel at whatever he set his mind to.

Wearing sunglasses and a hairstyle knew he was a regular at beimo pushed for Little Dragon to be
that resembled Elvis Presley’s, the matches: organized, bare-knuckle expelled.
new student walked through the rooftop fights which were regular
doors of the Wing Chun occurrences in Kowloon. They also The head of the Wing Chun
Association as everyone looked knew he was an actor, and they Association, a man named Ip
on, not sure what to make of the sensed his show-business swagger. Man, refused to release Bruce,
one they called Little Dragon. But they weren’t sure what he was who began to study separately
doing at their cramped martial arts from the other students. When
The martial-arts students school off Lei Tat Street in Hong he participated in group events,
Kong’s Yau Ma Tei district, because Bruce was called names and
their version of kung fu was about pushed around. “These guys, some
self defense, not fighting, and of them assistant instructors,
Little Dragon was a fighter who gave me a hard time when I first
ran with a tough crew, a hot-head studied Wing Chun,” Bruce would
who often instigated the fights. recall. “I was just a skinny kid of
fifteen.”
Little Dragon began to
ingratiate himself with the It was the first time Bruce
school’s instructors, quietly and Lee formally studied any kind of
patiently learning from them, martial arts, and the community
but many of the students weren’t wanted to send him a clear
willing to accept him. They were message: You don’t belong.
aware of Little Dragon’s family
and background. They knew his After her son was expelled
mother was Eurasian and that from La Salle, Grace Ho enrolled
Bruce had “mixed blood.” The Bruce at Hong Kong’s most
traditional Chinese belief was that prestigious parochial school, St.
kung fu should not be practiced by Francis Xavier. The school had a
those who weren’t “100% pure.” reputation for keeping their boys
On these grounds, some students off the streets, an increasingly
difficult task for Hoi Chuen and
Grace when it came to their son.

“I WAS A FINDING A NEW WAY
PUNK WHO Instructor Ip Man agreed to take on
WENT Bruce as a student at his Wing
LOOKING Chun Association, despite the
FOR FIGHTS.” protest of other students who
didn’t think Lee should be taught
martial arts because he was not
100% Chinese. The teacher would
help guide Lee through his wild
teen years, and open his mind to
calm and discipline.

30 B R U C E L EE



Now, instead of using movie a fight.” He added: “I only took close-quarters fighting: short
roles, his parents tried to motivate up kung fu when I began to feel punches, low kicks, and chi sao,
Bruce to work harder in school insecure.” or “sticky hands,” which reacted
by paying for his martial arts to feeling, not sight. Ip Man
instruction. Bruce was intrigued by encouraged students to fight each
Wing Chun because the best other to train and also suggested
Bruce’s interest in martial arts fighter he knew was a disciple they use their techniques on
was cultivated early on, when of this southern Chinese style. the streets. As rooftop matches
Hoi Chuen would take Bruce to Wing Chun’s grandmaster, Ip became more popular in Hong
King’s Park for morning Tai Chi. Man, turned his students into Kong, word got around that Ip
The slow, meditative practice ferocious fighters by giving them Man’s boys were the most skilled
was more like yoga than fighting, an unshakable foundation of and the toughest.
but Bruce enjoyed it. As Bruce fundamentals that focused on
grew up, kung fu, once looked
down on in Hong Kong, had AMERICA ALWAYS
become popular again across REPRESENTED A FRESH
the city, which was seeing a START. AND IT SEEMED LIKE
rise in neighborhood gangs and BRUCE LEE NEEDED ONE.
skirmishes between factions. Like
many others lining up at martial
arts studios, Bruce’s interest in
learning was mostly to become a
better fighter.

“As a kid in Hong Kong,” Bruce
recalled in Black Belt magazine, “I
was a punk and went looking for
fights…. Then, one day, I wondered
what would happen if I didn’t have
my gang behind me if I got into

32 BRUCE LEE

THE TALENTED MR. LEE
In addition to blossoming into an
excellent martial arts student under
Ip Man (far left), Bruce also became
a champion cha-cha dancer in Hong
Kong, c. 1959. At the time, Lee
would often brag to his friends
about his dancing abilities more
than anything else he had
accomplished thus far in his
relatively young life.

Under Ip Man’s tutelage, Bruce for different cultures. Lee began younger brother, Robert, as his
was a quick learner. He began spending his afternoons at the dance partner. By this time, Bruce
proving himself on the streets neighborhood tea house where had starred in movies and won
with each victory in a beimo other teenagers mingled, hung fighting competitions, but his
challenge. He practiced his moves out at the jukebox, and danced. friends would say that he spoke
on the playground and instructed They embraced everything from with the most pride when he
eager classmates during recess the jive to the boogie-woogie; reminded others that he was
and after school. His confidence Lee fell in love with the fad that the 1959 Cha-Cha Champion of
grew as a clique of followers at St. was sweeping through Latin Hong Kong.
Francis Xavier began looking up to America: the cha-cha. For a
him. In 1958, in front of a packed young man from a middle-class Still, Bruce’s passion for
gymnasium, Bruce won a boxing family in Hong Kong to become a dance—and kung fu—couldn’t
tournament held every year master of Latin dance might seem keep him out of trouble. In 1959,
between Hong Kong’s two main incongruous, but it was a natural Bruce was involved in an incident
British schools. Now a champion fit for a teenage Bruce Lee. The with an individual who came
fighter, Bruce’s standards for dance was not unlike Wing Chun, from a well-connected Hong
excellence only with its emphasis on balance Kong family. The police warned
got higher. and rhythms. that if Bruce continued on this
path, he would end up in jail. His
 I nthelate1950s,asthe Lee was as serious about grades, meanwhile, were dreadful;
world was becoming dance as he was about kung fu. Bruce would have trouble even
increasingly closed off and He took lessons, developed new graduating from high school. His
xenophobic, Hong Kong, moves, even kept a personal movie roles were also drying up.
perhaps because of its notebook documenting Bruce’s future was more uncertain
history, embraced multi- techniques and steps. He showed than ever.
cultural influences. Like off his talent at school, where he’d
many teenagers around challenge others to dance-offs. When they left the United
him, Bruce had an enthusiasm He signed up for a competition States 20 years earlier, Hoi Chuen
at a popular nightclub with his and Grace always thought that
their son would one day return to

33

34 BR U C E L E E

HONG KONG’S JAMES DEAN  S oonaftertheydecided but in actual application it was
Despite acting less and less as a that they would send difficult.
teenager, Bruce landed an iconic Bruce back to America,
role in The Orphan. Hong Kong’s Hoi Chuen and Grace Bruce continued: My instructor,
take on Rebel Without a Cause, the sensed a change in their Professor Ip Man, would come
film cast Lee as a surly, tough and son. The boy who lived up to me and say, “Relax and
charismatic teen with a taste for up to his childhood calm your mind. Forget about
trouble. The part wasn’t too far from nickname, Never Sits yourself and follow the opponent’s
the truth. Shortly after the film’s Still, seemed more settled and movement. Let your mind do the
release, Bruce left Hong Kong for a grounded. counter-movement without any
fresh start in America. interfering deliberation. Above all,
Kung fu was becoming Bruce’s learn the art of detachment.” That
America. As Bruce struggled in his religion, and the teachings of Ip was it! I must relax.
teenage years, they knew that if Man had a profound effect. Bruce
Bruce went to the United States, was also increasingly interested Just as preparations were
he could finish high school, get a in Taoism, which balanced some underway for Bruce to depart for
diploma, and perhaps maybe even of his more aggressive tendencies. the U.S., he landed a role casting
go to college. Bruce was turning inward. him as an orphan who became a
pickpocket for a street gang. The
America had always He reflected in an essay he movie, called The Orphan, was
represented a fresh start, and it wrote in 1961: inspired by an American hit: Rebel
seemed that Bruce needed one. Without a Cause.
About four years of hard
“NO ONE training in the art of gung fu, I The film was both a critical and
IS ALLOWED began to understand and felt the commercial success, becoming the
TO IMITATE principles of gentleness—the art first Hong Kong movie to break
LITTLE of neutralizing the effect of the into the international market.
DRAGON.” opponent’s effort and minimizing Bruce inspired teenage boys,
expenditure of one’s energy. All who began to emulate the way he
this must be done in calmness and behaved—and even the way he
without striving. It sounded simple, danced the cha-cha. One Hong
Kong school posted a sign: “No
one is allowed to imitate Little
Dragon... in The Orphan.”

Even with his movie career
back on track, Bruce and his
family stuck to their plan: On the
afternoon of April 29, 1959, Bruce
carried a one-way ticket on the SS
President Wilson, an ocean liner
much like the one that brought
him from San Francisco to Hong
Kong nearly two decades earlier.

As they said their goodbyes,
Grace gave Bruce $100. Bruce
promised that he’d only return
when he’d made something of
himself. Alone, he boarded the
ship, ready to embrace the country
where he was born—even if that
country wasn’t ready to fully
embrace him.

35







ONLY IN AMERICA
When Bruce Lee arrived back in America, his plan was to study to become a professional: maybe a doctor,
dentist or even a pharmacist. But he soon discovered that the young people he met in the U.S. wanted to learn
his techniques in martial arts and were willing to pay him to be a teacher. Traditionally, only the Chinese were
meant to learn kung fu. Bruce Lee broke from tradition and taught anyone.

In the summer of 1959, the Seafair rapid hand movements, may not kung fu. Jesse explained that he
festival, held at the Aqua Theater have left a lasting impression on was so desperate to learn that he
off the shores of Seattle’s Green everyone. But in the audience that even went to California to find a
Lake, took over the city. It was day was an onlooker who couldn’t teacher—but no instructors would
an extravaganza of aerial plane take his eyes off Bruce. Jesse take him in.
demonstrations, pirate shows, Glover was African-American
and elaborate parades, and and a martial arts fanatic who had Since arriving in America
also a celebration of the city’s never seen anyone with Bruce’s three months earlier, Bruce had
multicultural fabric. Among the skills. Years earlier, Glover had always been intrigued by the
many exhibitions that August been beaten up by a cop, and soon idea of teaching Americans the
weekend was an event billed as a after he began learning self- relatively obscure version of kung
kung fu show, featuring the city’s defense by studying judo. After fu he knew, Wing Chun. He was
Chinese Youth Club. earning a black belt, he attempted well aware of how traditionalists
to master kung fu next. There was viewed teaching non-Chinese.
One by one, performers took one problem: Jesse couldn’t find Bruce was still stung by how he
the stage, presenting traditional an instructor who would agree to was nearly thrown out of the Wing
martial arts techniques. An teach him. All the Asian kung fu Chun Association for not being
announcer explained the various instructors he approached refused fully Chinese, and he knew that
practices, offering the audience to take on a Black student. he would face backlash from the
a basic introduction to kung fu. entire community if he agreed to
Finally, a handsome young man After the show, Jesse learned instruct Jesse.
walked out as the announcer that he and Bruce were both
presented him as the show’s enrolled at the same high school. But more than knowing that
last performer: Bruce Lee was One day, outside the school, he he’d be asking for trouble, Bruce
his name, and, according to the approached Bruce. understood how it felt to be
introduction, he had just arrived treated like an outsider. When
from California. “Will you teach me kung fu?” he wanted to study Wing Chun
Jesse asked. Bruce looked at him, in Hong Kong, Bruce was treated
The demonstration, in which perplexed: he’d never seen anyone much like Jesse Glover. So how
Bruce flashed high kicks and who looked like Jesse ask to study could he say no?

40 B R UC E L EE

NEW BEGINNINGS
In Seattle, Bruce was determined to
make the most of his opportunity to
forge his own identity. Raised in
comfort in Hong Kong, Bruce
worked at one of Seattle’s Chinese
restaurants and looked for any
chance he could to make money
and expand his knowledge and
experiences. The boy who couldn’t
sit still was well suited for America.

 T hreemonthsearlier,on wave of Chinese immigrants a journal entry in late 1958. “If as
May 17, 1959, clutching were entering the country: a doctor, I must study hard.” He
the documents that his well-educated, skilled workers also expressed interest in dental
parents had secured who came to America striving to school and possibly becoming a
for him when they left become engineers and doctors. pharmacist. In the short term,
America, Bruce Lee As part of this wave, Bruce, who however, he needed to make
returned to the U.S., hailed from an exclusive private money. Soon after arriving in
a country in which school in Hong Kong, did have San Francisco, he began waiting
attitudes toward immigrants thoughts of pursuing medicine tables at a Chinese restaurant. He
were slowly evolving. In 1943, in the U.S. “Now I try to find was also able to make some extra
President Franklin Roosevelt out my career—whether as a cash teaching the cha-cha at San
repealed the Chinese Exclusion doctor or another?” he wrote in Francisco’s Chinese association.
Act, but initially only allowed
an annual quota of 105 Chinese BRUCE’S FIRST MARTIAL
immigrants entry—leaving ARTS STUDENTS WERE
restrictions on immigration BLACKS, LATINOS, ASIANS
from other Asian countries. AND WHITES.
In 1956, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service created
the Chinese Confession Program,
which offered legalized status in
exchange for confession of illegal
entry into the country. This left
Chinese Americans vulnerable
to public suspicion and hysteria
that had been stirred by Senator
Joseph McCarthy.

But by the late 1950s, a new

41

Bruce discovered that he was good his first student, Jesse Glover. A TEACHER, AND STYLE, IS BORN
with students, funny and engaging. Bruce was well aware of the Jesse Glover was not only Bruce’s
He may have been a difficult centuries-old belief that kung fu first student, he became a friend
student back in Hong Kong, but he should not be taught to potential who introduced Bruce to different
was a natural born teacher. enemies—that is, anyone who combat styles, including judo.
wasn’t Chinese. But once Bruce Bruce soon opened his own studio
Bruce and his parents had began instructing Jesse, his world (below) and kept incorporating
a plan: after a short stop in opened up. The two worked different influences and techniques
San Francisco, he would settle together in Jesse’s tiny apartment, into his fundamental training to
in Seattle, to live with family create a style that was effective,
friends and take classes at a high WILL YOU efficient, and uniquely his own.
school which offered vocational TEACH ME
training and adult education KUNG FU? where Bruce taught him
and where he could earn his HOW COULD techniques like chi shao (sticky
diploma in a year. After enrolling HE SAY NO. hands) and in return, Bruce
at Edison Technical High School learned Glover’s judo throws and
in Seattle that fall, Bruce worked Western boxing moves. Bruce
as a dishwasher at the city’s only incorporated those new skills into
restaurant outside of Chinatown, his routines.
Ruby Chow’s, and stayed in a
house above the restaurant. He Soon, Bruce began training one
settled into life in America: his of Jesse’s friends, then another,
English was quickly improving, and then more from the Seattle
and he carried himself confidently, Judo Club. He attracted students
wearing shoes with Cuban from Edison Tech, then opened
heels and flashy shirts and coats up a kwoon—a traditional kung
around town, even showing up fu school—with a motley crew of
at establishments where Asians black, Latino, Asian, and white
were not typically welcomed. He students making up his class.
also quickly became immersed Less than a year after arriving in
in the city’s Chinese community, Seattle, 19-year-old Bruce Lee had
spending many hours at Seattle’s his own studio.
Chinese Youth Club, where he
continued his martial arts training To his first students, he was
with one of his father’s old friends. Bruce—not master or sifu, the
Bruce had studied Wing Chun in traditional name for a kung fu
Hong Kong, but he had just a few instructor. Bruce felt as though he
years of experience in a version of was learning as much from them
kung fu that was mostly unknown as they were from him. He even
in the United States. Bruce began began watching American sports
learning new basic forms such as to learn about movement—he
Eagle Claw and Praying Mantis watched Muhammad Ali carefully,
and he combined those techniques
with what he’d already learned
under Ip Man.

Bruce was once committed
to traditional Chinese kung fu,
believing it was superior to any
other version, but his perspective
would quickly change, thanks to

42 B R UC E L E E

43



GETTING NOTICED “THE
Bruce, shown here at the Long INDIVIDUAL
Beach Championships, participated IS MORE
in some of the largest martial arts IMPORTANT
exhibitions in the country. A THAN THE
showcase for his skill, charm and STYLE.”
brash confidence, this would lead to
some of the biggest breaks of his
life, including the one that would
eventually lead him back to acting
and Hollywood.

studying his timing and footwork. wrote. He continued: “All in all, a style that not only emphasized
Bruce combined these influences the goal of my planning and doing practicality, speed, and efficiency,
from various sources into the is to find the true meaning of life— but also one that drew from
spirit of a hybrid philosophy, peace of mind.” Western combat disciplines. “The
calling his approach Jeet Kune Do: martial arts should be functional
The Way of the Intercepting Fist. The once directionless boy was and practical,” Bruce would say.
He began to see the advantages beginning to find purpose. He
and possibilities in blending believed that martial arts was as He wasn’t afraid to criticize
cultures and ideas, bringing philosophical as it was practical. traditionalists everywhere, from
together East and West. He may He took this approach with him San Francisco’s Chinatown to
not have known it at the time, but to California, where he moved in Hong Kong. In the summer of
he was creating an utterly new with a respected Chinese martial 1964, Bruce was among thousands
style of martial arts: his own. artist named James Yimm Lee. attending one of the biggest
Bruce had read Lee’s books and martial arts events in the country,
 I nSeptemberof1962,Bruce, looked up to the older instructor. the Long Beach International
by now a student at the He also saw James Yimm Lee Karate Championships.
University of Washington, as someone who could help him
wrote a letter to a former become a successful instructor Lecturing in front of a packed
girlfriend in Hong Kong, to himself. crowd, Bruce took martial arts
tell her about his new life tradition to task. “The individual
and a new goal: to establish a Bruce withdrew from the is more important than the style,”
kung fu institute that would University of Washington to start he said. “In China, 80 percent of
spread across the country. His the Jun Fan martial arts studio in what they teach is nonsense. Here,
main objective, he explained, was Oakland with James Yimm Lee as in America, it is 90 percent.”
not to make money. “The motives his partner. They called it the Jun
are many and among them... I like Fan Gung Fu Institute. The crowd was taken aback.
to let the world know about the Not everyone was ready for this
greatness of this Chinese art,” he Bruce now believed—strongly— message. But Bruce didn’t care.
that traditional techniques were He believed what he was saying
too rigid to be of use in street and he wanted others to see the
fighting. He wanted to embrace possibilities of change as well.

45