Bruce Lee

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?
Cast as Kato in the 1966 TV show The Green Hornet, Bruce Lee made an unplanned return to acting. Despite
the show airing just one season, Lee made an impression on audiences and Hollywood executives. For Bruce,
the part opened the door to a new and widely influential way to share his rapidly developing beliefs about
martial arts and life in general through entertainment.

ChapTer

During the 1910-1920s, of becoming a Hollywood star charmed by his charisma.
Hollywood’s silent era, one of when he moved to America. After Sebring even had access to film
the biggest stars of the silver all, Bruce Lee wanted to make it in
screen was an actor named the U.S. He wanted to be a success. of the event, which he shared with
Sessue Hayakawa. American Dozier. The producer agreed with
audiences were captivated by In early 1965, however, TV his hairstylist: Bruce Lee didn’t
the Japanese matinee idol whose producer William Dozier had look like any other leading man
fame rivaled Charlie Chaplin’s. an idea for a new show, an idea in Hollywood, but there was no
But Hayakawa’s popularity took that seemed perfect for someone denying that he was a star.
a hit when the arrival of sound like Bruce Lee. The pitch: the
to movies revealed his heavy son of Charlie Chan, the popular  F ebruary1965wasan
accent. The country’s increasing (and fictional) Hawaiian police eventful time for Bruce
anti-Japanese sentiment and detective, seeks to avenge the Lee. Six months earlier,
a spirit of nationalism rising murder of his father. In the in August 1964, Bruce
out of World War I pushed movies, Charlie Chan was first married his girlfriend
Hayakawa further to the margins, made famous by Swedish- from the University
ultimately compelling him to American actor Warner Oland. of Washington, Linda
leave Hollywood. For the next 40 Dozier wanted to find an Asian Emery, and on February
years, it was rare to see an Asian actor to play his proposed hero: 1, 1965, Linda gave birth to a baby
male actor of any nationality in Number One Son. boy, Brandon Bruce Lee. Across
a leading role. By the 1960s, no the ocean, in Hong Kong, Bruce’s
Asian man had ever starred on a The search was not easy. But father, Hoi Chuen, was gravely ill.
network television show. Dozier’s hairstylist, Hollywood Bruce’s family informed him that
legend Jay Sebring, had a he should expect to return for a
It’s perhaps no surprise, then, suggestion. Sebring had been funeral at any moment.
that even an accomplished actor in the stands at the 1964 Long
like Bruce Lee, who before he Beach International Karate Just three days after Brandon’s
turned 20 had starred in 20 films Championship and, like many birth, Bruce was due to have
in Hong Kong, had no aspirations others, left in awe of Bruce Lee, a screen test for Number One
dazzled by his physical feats and Son, a potentially life-changing

50 B R UC E L E E

FAMILY MAN
Bruce, fer left with wife Linda and
young son Brandon, always strived
for success. This became especially
true after he married and started a
family of his own. When producer
William Dozier (center) offered him
the chance to star on an American
TV series, Lee jumped at the
opportunity as well as the steady
pay check.

BRUCE LEE MADE 20 men with reflexes too slow to
FILMS IN HONG KONG, BUT even realize what was going on.
HE HAD NO ASPIRATIONS When it was over, someone on
OF HOLLYWOOD STARDOM set mentioned that Bruce looked
nervous. “He has nothing to
opportunity. It was still Bruce’s impeccable posture, his hands worry about,” Dozier replied.
dream to create a national folded across his lap. His hair was Bruce returned home and soon
franchise of martial arts studios, parted. He looked more like a received the call that his father
but now the realities of supporting suburban husband than a fierce had passed away. Hoi Chuen had
his young family put Bruce at a kung fu master. been sick for several months,
crossroads. his heart and lungs damaged by
Bruce offered some years of smoking, and while he
“My name is Lee—Bruce Lee. background. “You worked in lived to see the day that grandson
I was born in San Francisco in motion pictures in Hong Kong?” Brandon was born, he wasn’t
1940,” Lee began his screen test, asked a voice from off-camera. able to see Bruce get his first big
on a studio stage that looked like “Yes, since I was around six years break: Number One Son, Bruce was
a living room. He wore a dark old.” Lee then demonstrated a few informed, would move forward
suit and black tie, sitting with moves on production assistants, and Dozier’s company wanted to
sign Bruce to a contract for $1,800.

After six months of working
together, Bruce and his business
partner in Oakland, James Yimm
Lee, agreed to close the Jun Fan
Gung Fu Institute so that Bruce
could pursue his new opportunity
in Hollywood. But while Dozier
offered Bruce a job, it was still far
from a career. Soon, Number One

51

Son was put on hold until Dozier CALIFORNIA DREAMING
got another one of his projects off Bruce, shown sparring in a publicity
the ground, the superhero show photo with Green Hornet star Van
Batman. In early 1966, Bruce Williams, embraced the job of
received more disappointing promoting his new show—even
news. Dozier had submitted a though it required him to answer
draft for Number One Son to countless questions about being an
ABC and the network passed. Asian-American actor trying to
Bruce got his first lesson on the break into Hollywood and
realities of Hollywood: there are mainstream American
no guarantees. In reality, Number entertainment.
One Son had always been a long
shot; the idea that an American no. He called the role “typical In fact, Dozier continued, Kato
TV network in the 1960s would houseboy stuff,” nothing like would be the Green Hornet’s most
get behind a show headlined by a the starring role in Number One important weapon in the show
completely unknown Asian man Son that had convinced Lee to and handle nearly all the fight
was asking too much, too soon. abandon his martial arts studio in scenes.
Oakland.
But Dozier had a new project Suddenly, Bruce saw the role
for Bruce. With Batman a Bruce Lee didn’t see himself in a different light. Playing Kato
runaway hit, Dozier was prepared as anyone’s houseboy, not in real was less an opportunity for a good
to bring another familiar hero life and not on television. Dozier acting part and more a chance to
to TV: The Green Hornet. A reassured him, insisting that Kato bring his style of martial arts right
popular radio serial in the 1930s, wasn’t a servant to the Green into America’s living rooms. In a
The Green Hornet followed Hornet but instead a partner. way, it would be like teaching.
the adventures of Britt Reid, a
newspaper publisher by day and PLAYING KATO WAS A
masked crime fighter at night. CHANCE TO BRING
On radio, the Green Hornet’s MARTIAL ARTS INTO
faithful sidekick was a masked AMERICA’S LIVING ROOMS
Japanese valet named Kato,
whose nationality was changed to
Filipino after Japan’s invasion
of China.

Dozier wanted Bruce for the
role of Kato. But he needed to
convince a lot of people who had
no idea who Bruce Lee even was.
“He is actually an American-born
Chinese but can play any sort
of Oriental or Filipino,” Dozier
wrote to the character’s creator,
George W. Trendle. “I don’t think
we should ever say what sort of
nationality Kato is: just let him be
what he looks like—an Oriental.”

When Dozier told Bruce about
the show and the role that he
had in mind, Bruce initially said

52 B R U C E L E E



 F romhisyearsactingin grudgingly added flashy kicks for Kato was a breakthrough role
Hong Kong, Bruce was extra visual impact and agreed to for Asian actors. Bruce knew
completely comfortable shoot his scenes in slow motion. that clearly, and he embraced
in front of the camera, the responsibility of answering
but all his previous films When the cameras were off, questions about his race over
were dramas, not action Bruce wasn’t always made to feel and over again whenever he gave
movies. He was also a comfortable. Once, while walking interviews to promote the show.
confident martial arts with an actress appearing on the
performer, but all his experiences show, a guard saw the Asian man “In the early days of radio,”
there were in front of live in a valet outfit and yelled “You’re one reporter asked, “Kato was
audiences—not rigid TV directors not allowed back here!”
or their cameras. “KATO IS
Bruce also wasn’t fairly AN ACTIVE
So, in the early days of compensated. Van Williams, who PARTNER...
filming The Green Hornet, Bruce played the Green Hornet, was NOT A MUTE
struggled. The stuntmen that paid five times more than Bruce; FOLLOWER.”
he worked with were seasoned another supporting actor was
pros, but their style was made for making more than twice as much.
Westerns — lots of big, round-
house swings that were a staple Bruce also protested over the
of cowboy saloon fights but that scarcity of his speaking lines: “As
felt sloppy and wrong to a trained a crime fighter, Kato is an ‘active
martial artist like Bruce. partner’ of the Green Hornet
and not a ‘mute follower,’” Bruce
The problem was Bruce’s more wrote to Dozier. “[Fellow actor]
efficient punching and kicking Jeff Corey agrees and I myself
didn’t translate well to TV screens. feel that at least an occasional
His moves were just blurs to the dialogue would certainly make
camera. When directors explained me ‘feel’ more at home with the
the problem to Bruce, he fellow players.”

Despite all the negatives,

54 BR UCE LE E

Caption Head ACTION!
Tk pienti veliquatur? Lecae que qui Bruce’s martial arts training actually
volorrum et preprovid erro oditiur, made playing Kato more difficult:
ute ipis ut esedis volupta tempores His style did not mesh well with
et, quiaspiene volende llaccus Hollywood stunt men and his
apelicius doloraestion net, movements were often too fast to
serfernatem faceperum aut be captured on camera. Eventually,
audipitio. Nequo omni te milit et es Bruce was able to adapt and
venis ea pressitatent molo mosse et showcase enough of what he was
eicipie ntionsequos sequas ex capable of to mesmerize audiences
excestrum fugiam eatiae. Icim nes and leave them wanting more.

identified as a Japanese but during made Bruce Lee the pride of the were not good enough to earn a
the war he suddenly shifted American martial arts community. second season. “Confucius say,
nationalities and emerged as He was profiled in Black Belt ‘Green Hornet to buzz no more,”
Filipino. How do you see Kato?” magazine, and was booked as the Dozier wrote to Bruce as a way to
headliner at karate events across tell him the news.
“Speaking for myself, I am the country.
Chinese,” Bruce replied. Bruce answered with a gracious
His performance also excited note to the man who took a big
“But won’t some knowing a whole new audience, the kids chance on him. “I’d like to take
Orientals protest, since Kato is of America who saw Kato as a this opportunity to thank you
after all, a Japanese name?” different kind of superhero. Kato personally for all that you’ve
did not leap tall buildings in a done to start my career in show
“I am a karate expert, black- single bound, but he certainly business,” he wrote. “Without you,
belt class,” Bruce explained with seemed like he could fly when I would never have thought about
sly humor. “Anyone object, I put he unleashed kicks in midair. He being in Hollywood.’”
them on their back.” didn’t look especially strong, but
he could break just about anything Some people would have
The Green Hornet debuted with his bare hands. And despite chalked up the whole thing as a
on September 9, 1966, to mixed being the size of a typical kid, he failure. Bruce Lee chose to see
reviews. Most of the criticism was a force to be feared. it differently. It was the start
centered on the fact that the of something big, a learning
show was a 30-minute drama. TV Most kids watching The Green experience, and perhaps even a
audiences expected the show to Hornet at home in the cities way to help him teach more people
be another campy comedy with and suburbs of America looked at once than any tournament or
action, another Batman. nothing like Bruce Lee. But no chain of studios could ever offer.
matter what their color or nation
Despite the disappointing of orgin, they related to this guy. Entertainment, it turned out,
reception, Lee stood out. “Those Some even wanted to be like him. was an excellent way to share
who watched him would bet his philosophies with the world
on Lee to render Cassius Clay Despite Bruce’s breakout about martial arts—and, perhaps,
senseless if they were put in a performance, the show’s ratings even more.
room and told that anything goes,”
one reviewer opined. The show

55







MAN WITH A PLAN
Bruce Lee once dreamed of creating a chain of his own martial arts studios around the country. But, faced
with the possibility—and compromises—of making that dream a reality, Bruce instead decided to pursue a
different path to share his talents with the world. To make it work, Bruce needed to turn himself into a
businessman. As he had when facing other challenges in his life, Bruce rose to the occasion with style and flair.

ChapTer

TWO LEGENDS
As Bruce Lee’s reputation grew, so
did the demand for his services as a
trainer. Among the stars that Bruce
would develop a strong working
relationship and friendship with was
future action star Chuck Norris. The
two legends would appear together
in Way of the Dragon, the 1972 film
released in America as Return of
the Dragon.

On March 27, 1970, Bruce Lee, The deal was lucrative, but Bruce Lee Jun-fan, the prodigal son,
accompanied by his five-year-old felt it would ultimately result in had indeed returned home a
son, Brandon, landed in Kai Tak selling out something he felt was hero. Bruce made the rounds on
Airport in Hong Kong. It had been important. Mass studios meant TV and radio shows, including
five years since his last visit and mass conformity, and Bruce was the late night variety show Enjoy
his main purpose was to visit his the one screaming that there Yourself Tonight, which was Hong
mother Grace. Bruce also hoped needed to be more appreciation Kong’s equivalent of The Tonight
to conduct some business, but for uniqueness and individual Show. In front of screaming
his plans weren’t entirely clear. freedom in martial arts. fans, Bruce took center stage for
Bruce vowed that he’d one day a kung fu demonstration, but
return to Hong Kong a success. Instead of making the deal, what he showcased was unlike
He had already accomplished a Bruce focused on finding the right anything Chinese audiences had
lot for a young man, but with the projects to advance his acting ever seen: Bruce did two-finger
cancellation of The Green Hornet, career. He didn’t necessarily push ups and leg kicks and his
Bruce wasn’t entire sure what was expect to find those projects young American son came out to
coming next. in Hong Kong, but when he break boards. Bruce’s moves were
stepped off the airplane at Kai familiar yet his efficiency and
The good news was he had Tak, he was astonished by the frenetic energy were entirely new.
options. When he arrived in scene: a crowd of reporters and The demonstration showed what
America as a teenager, Bruce photographers were awaiting his tradition looked like when it was
dreamed of opening a franchise arrival. Wherever he went in Hong set free.
of martial arts schools across the Kong, Bruce attracted a throng
country. After The Green Hornet’s of adoring fans. Bruce’s mother’s For a few days in Hong Kong,
abrupt end became public, house was also inundated by Bruce was a superstar. But back
potential investors approached reporters and flashing cameras. home in the U.S., he remained
Bruce to make that dream come As it turned out, The Green Hornet a relative unknown. To make
true. They sensed an opportunity had just aired in Hong Kong and it in Hollywood, Bruce made
to capitalize on Kato’s popularity— was such a sensation that locally it a transformation. He turned
and possibly make a lot of money. was called The Kato Show. himself into a businessman.

60 B R UC E L E E

 T hebusinesscardsread: and Chuck Norris. Within months, TO BECOME
BRUCE LEE, JEET he had his business cards changed. A STAR,
KUNE DO, Professional His rate had nearly doubled. HE BECAME
Consultation and A MOVIE
Instruction: $150 per His most famous client was MOGUL
hour. actor Steve McQueen, who was at
With no TV the height of his stardom. Bruce Westerns, for example, were still
projects lined up in the and the Indiana-born McQueen a popular staple on TV but Bruce
aftermath of The Green Hornet’s had much in common: both grew failed to land parts because he
cancellation, Bruce needed to up on the streets fighting in gangs refused to wear a Chinese pigtail,
make some money for his family, and both were smart but had or queue. Putting one on, Bruce
which would soon include a underachieved at school. They told others, was simply degrading.
daughter, Shannon. Bruce was became friends, and McQueen Bruce had other ideas percolating
ready to hustle to make it happen. introduced Bruce to more of inside him for a period show,
Hollywood’s rich and famous. including one about a kung fu
When he was first trying to Bruce became enthralled with
break into acting in Los Angeles, the movie star life, and he seemed
Bruce had started giving private to embrace it as he became a
kung fu lessons to Jay Sebring, successful instructor: Bruce had a
the hairdresser who had Porsche and a house in Bel Air to
recommended him for The Green go with his beautiful wife and two
Hornet. His experience with adorable children.
Sebring gave Bruce an idea: what
if he became a private instructor Now Bruce had a lifestyle to
to Hollywood stars? Bruce’s first support, and kung fu lessons
client was singer Vic Damone, alone weren’t going to be enough.
and over time he collected an He was landing occasional guest
eclectic group of celebrity clients, spots on TV, but none of the parts
including actors James Coburn offered great potential. Bruce also
refused to play to stereotypes.

61

NOT YET A STAR, BUT IN DEMAND
Bruce trained Hollywood greats
ranging from Dean Martin (right) to
Steve McQueen. He also grabbed
attention on TV as a supporting
player opposite lead star James
Franciscus (far right) on the
short-lived series Longstreet. But to
make a name for himself, Bruce
returned to Hong Kong and started
his own production company.

master who roamed America was studying kung fu with Bruce team to solve mysteries. Initially
seeking to free Chinese laborers at the time. The two connected, Bruce believed that he would
working in the West. and Weintraub knew he’d found play a featured role. But, once
the actor for his series. again, he found himself pushed
It turned out that within to the margins, ultimately cast
Warner Brothers studios a The show in development, to in a supporting part. Bruce made
treatment was circulating for a be called Kung Fu, was slow to his first appearance on the show
similar show centered around a get off the ground, but Weintraub devoted to his character—the
character who was part Chinese believed he’d found a star—and episode was called “The Way of
and part American—a Shaolin he wanted to keep him engaged. the Intercepting Fist”—and Bruce
monk in the Wild West. A One opportunity was a part in a appeared as an antique dealer
producer at Warner Brothers, TV project, Longstreet, in which who was also a kung fu master.
Fred Weintraub, had a friend who a blind detective worked with a He made the most of his screen
time, delivering an unforgettable
BE FORMLESS, SHAPELESS, moment, one that included a line
LIKE WATER.... BE WATER, that would become iconic to his
MY FRIEND.” career: “If you try to remember,
you will lose. Empty your mind.
Be formless, shapeless, like water.
Now you put water into a cup,
it becomes the cup, put it into
a teapot, it becomes the teapot.
Now, water can flow or creep or
drip or crash. Be water, my friend.”

As he did on The Green Hornet,
Bruce stole the show. Longstreet
received tepid reviews but Bruce
garnered critical praise. Fan mail

62 BR UC E L EE

came pouring in for the bit player business-wise it is a risk,” he white-collar worker who took
and audiences fell in love with said. “I don’t blame them. If the phone calls, scheduled business
him. Bruce’s success in the role situation were reversed, and an meetings, and brokered deals. The
reignited interest in Kung Fu. He American star were to come to operation was simple: Bruce was
was the logical actor for the lead Hong Kong, and I was the man in charge of creative decisions and
role, but the ultimate decision with the money, I would have my Chow oversaw the administration.
was up to Tom Kuhn, the head of own concerns as to whether the Profits would be split 50-50
Warner Brothers’ TV division. An acceptance would be there.” between the two of them. Bruce
actor with Hollywood experience signed with the Hong Kong film
who also happened to be a kung  B rucesaidtheright production company Golden
fu master? And one who was things but he was far Harvest to produce and star in two
Eurasian, to play a half-Chinese from satisfied. Bruce films. The Big Boss was a hit for
half-American monk? It seemed was also emboldened the company; his second film, Fist
to be a perfect fit. as he saw his popularity of Fury, was even bigger. His next
continuing to soar movie, The Way of the Dragon, was
There was just one problem: in Asia. In order to Concord Production’s first film.
Lee’s accent. Kuhn decided become a movie star, he Made for only $130,000, its small
Bruce wasn’t right for the part first had to become a movie mogul. budget was covered by early sales
because he felt that audiences in Taiwan alone. Released in 1972,
would be turned off by the way he Bruce and his producing it was the highest grossing film
spoke. Five decades after Sessue partner, Raymond Chow, ever in Hong Kong for its time.
Hayakawa was marginalized for established Concord Productions,
his accent, not much had changed a company that would incubate The string of success was
in Hollywood. all of Bruce’s projects. They noticed back in America. Until
opened a new office in Hong 1972, Hollywood had released
Eventually, the producers Kong’s Diamond Hill, set up with films in Hong Kong but did not
gave the role to David Carradine, a desk and weights so that Bruce have much experience working
a white actor. If he was could lift at all hours of the day. with a Chinese production
disillusioned, Bruce didn’t say Bruce, for the first time, was a company. Warner Brothers’ head
so publicly. “They think that

63



THE DRAGON RETURNS
In Hong Kong, the city where he
grew up, Bruce partnered with
Raymond Chow (far left) to start
Concord Productions. This allowed
Bruce to create the kind of martial
arts movies that he wanted to make
and share them with the world. His
crowning achievement, Enter the
Dragon, was such a success that it
made Lee a legend.

of Far East distribution was well to lead to more movies if all went  O ntheafternoonofJuly
aware of Bruce’s popularity and well. It was a bold proposition. 20, 1973, Bruce met
suggested an unusual deal, one As Warner Brothers considered with his producing
that would be a marriage of West the partnership, Bruce sent partner Raymond
and East. The idea was to create a the president of the studio, Ted Chow and actress
film as a co-production between Ashley, a letter. Assuming the Betty Ting Pei. Later,
Hong Kong and U.S. studios, a position of strength, but with he complained of a
film intended to ignite Bruce’s awareness of the prejudices he headache. He took a
stardom in America and possibly knew existed, Bruce wrote: “If painkiller, lied down for a nap, and
Warner develops something didn’t wake up. Rushed to Hong
YEARS OF specific for me, I’m sure my special Kong’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
STRUGGLE brand of action will sock it to he was declared dead on arrival.
AND WORK them. . . .The way I look at it, and He was 32 years old.
FINALLY honestly feel about it, is that this
PAID OFF Chinaman will definitely invade A month later, Enter the Dragon
the States in a big way, one way or premiered in Los Angeles. The
another. I am sure, if you give this ground-breaking co-production
matter a fair and serious thought, between Golden Harvest, Warner
something will be worked out to Brothers, and Concord had been
our mutual benefit.” made for a budget of $850,000. It
went on to gross an astounding
All the years of struggle and $350 million worldwide. It
work were about to pay off. Shortly remains one of the most profitable
after sending his letter to Ashley, and popular movies of all time,
Bruce learned that he would be the and a model for action films to
star of his own Hollywood kung fu come. Enter the Dragon also
movie, one that would eventually solidified Bruce Lee, in death, as
have a most-appropriate title: one of the most recognized icons
Enter the Dragon. in entertainment history.

65







AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT
The Lee Family: Brandon, Bruce, Linda and Shannon, circa 1970. A doting father, Bruce Lee moved his entire
family with him wherever his career led. This meant that Brandon and Shannon spent a few years growing up
in Hong Kong. When Brandon died accidentally in 1993, Shannon became the keeper of her father’s legacy.

On the occasion of his 80th guy. But they didn’t necessarily of your ability so you can walk
birthday, how do you want know him as well—or as broadly— through the world naturally as
the world to remember your as a philosopher or thinker or your quintessential self.
father? innovator or Renaissance man—
all of the different ways that I see At the same time, of course, he
Shannon Lee: People certainly him. That is really at the core of had a huge humanitarian message:
know my father’s name. They what they get excited about when under the sky of heavens, we’re
know him as a martial artist, an they see him on screen. Without one family. And I think that the
action star, this badass kung fu all of that foundation, he is not biggest thing that I see right now
someone we would still be talking that is just so troubling to me is
about, 47 years after his passing. the polarization and the right/
wrong, good/bad that’s going on.
People see him and they know The beginning of his “Be Water”
some of the quotes—like “Be quote is: Empty your mind. Be
Water’ and “Walk On”— but as formless, shapeless, like water.
you delve into more of his writing, One of the points of that is to stop
I really want people to be able to judging everything and everyone.
see just what a philosopher he was
and for them to get his message. We have to make allowance for
one another and have compassion
What part of his message do for one another and understand
you think most resonates that people have all kinds of
today? issues, and you telling them that
they’re wrong is not helping the
Shannon: It’s a multi-layered problem. I really feel like this is
message, but I think that the most the hardest thing. Because we
prevalent one is the message of all want to be right. People want
self-actualization. It is of knowing to point the finger away from
yourself and expressing yourself themselves—and this goes back to
and being yourself to the best knowing oneself.

There are all kinds of problems

“UNDER GIRL DAD
THE SKY OF Bruce, shown here sharing some
HEAVENS,WE quiet time with Shannon while on
ARE ALL ONE set, was an ordinary father to his
FAMILY.” children. It was only later that
Shannon and her brother Brandon
realized how many people knew
and loved their father and all that
he represented as an entertainer,
martial artist, teacher and
philosopher.

70 B R U C E L E E



72 B R U C E L E E

FAMILY FIRST “I STRONGLY
After Bruce passed away, Linda REMEMBER
moved her children back to the U.S. THE IMPRINT
In late 2000, Shannon took over for OF [MY
her mother as the lead figure in FATHER].”
managing her father’s legacy and
the various projects created in his
name. Shannon accepted the
responsibility largely to help share
her father’s positive philosophies
with future generations.

in the world, but the really important to my mother to stay in My father was so focused on
important thing is how are you touch from a cultural standpoint. representation in Hollywood.
responding to it? My mom is blond-haired, blue He really wanted to bring an
eyed, Caucasian but spoke fluent authentic representation of an
What are your strongest Cantonese. And it was important Asian man to Hollywood because
memories of growing up? that we go to Chinese school. My he could see very clearly that that
mom cooked Chinese food. We was not happening. And it was
Shannon: I was four when my celebrated Chinese New Year. his goal, and it was something
father passed away, so I was very Even though he was the only I have no doubt would be a big
young. But I strongly remember quote-unquote Chinese person part of his work. I know he was
the imprint of him. The feeling of in the family, we were still very already in talks as they were
him. I felt his presence so strongly. much in touch with that side of on post [production] on Enter
And I felt so extremely loved. He our culture. The Dragon to work on further
was just so present in our lives. projects and he was looking at
How do you think your father different scripts, and working for
We were living in Hong Kong might have shaped his career more representation of Asians in
at the time when my dad passed, had he lived longer? What do Hollywood was going to be a big
and when we moved back to the you think he was going to do part of it.
United States we brought all of next?
our stuff with us. And our house How would your father feel
was filled with reminders of him. Shannon: It’s hard to say, but I about the wide variety of
We had pictures everywhere. know that he did want to move people that he has inspired and
We had all of his books. We had back to the United States. He influenced?
the furniture that was in our very much prefered living in
house. We had all of his gear, his the United States, in California Shannon: He was a child actor,
boxing gloves, punching bags. in particular. When we moved but when he left Hong Kong, he
And my brother Brandon and I for his movies, it was always had no intention to get into acting
were constantly playing with that supposed to be temporary. again. But he started to see that
stuff and touching it. And it was

73

media was extremely powerful was as a human being and the way KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
and that, in fact, he could continue he lived his life. His philosophies Shannon and Linda, shown here at
to teach [through entertainment], have been extremely nourishing Bruce’s Hollywood Walk of Fame
that he could show more people and helpful to my own life. ceremony in 1993, continued to
his beloved martial arts and also share Bruce Lee’s messages with
his culture. He would always say, I really wanted to get his the world through the work of the
I had no idea that what I’m doing philosophy out there. I’ve run Bruce Lee Foundation. Their
would lead to all this—that martial into so many people, from all projects include entertainment,
arts was going to lead to making walks of life, who have been books, camps and clinics, all based
Hollywood movies. And then positively inspired and impacted on the teachings and beliefs that
for him to become a global icon, by him. And for me to amplify that Bruce used to guide his own life.
touching people from so many message and that foundational
different walks of life, he never core wisdom and practices and for people to have access to and to use
would have imagined that. those practices is what is really
meaningful to me and what I love.
There’s nowhere in the world
that I have been where people When people think of Bruce
don’t know who Bruce Lee is and Lee, whether we think about his
aren’t super excited about Bruce image, his name, his words or
Lee. Eastern Europe, Russia, just things he accomplished in
India. I’ve been to the Middle East his life—to me all of this creates
and people tell me how long they a positive and uplifting reaction
waited in lines stretching around for people. My goal in whatever
the block to see his movies. project we do is to continue that
uplifting feeling.
A friend was doing some charity
work for Habitat for Humanity
and was in Africa and sent me a
picture, because they’d stopped
at some roadside structure where
you could buy a cold drink. And
they had walked in, and there was
a picture of my dad on the wall.

How did you become involved
with the Bruce Lee Foundation
and what is your mission?

Shannon: At some point, my “I’VE RUN INTO SO MANY
mom came to me and said, You PEOPLE, FROM ALL WALKS
know, I look after your Dad’s OF LIFE, WHO HAVE BEEN
stuff, but I’m getting older and INSPIRED AND IMPACTED.”
I’m thinking that I would like to
pass this along for someone else.
She said, You definitely don’t have
to be the one to do it, but do you
have any interest? And I said that
I do, actually. And so in late 2000,
that’s when everything was sort
of handed over to me. I know the
full range of his legacy and who he

74 B R U C E L E E









THE DRAGON LIVES ON
Bruce’s sudden death left fans wanting more. This led to countless tribute movies. Some used footage of
Bruce shot for various unfinished projects. Others featured lookalike actors. Eventually, the genre expanded to
include characters of all races and nationalities. The point was no longer to represent Bruce Lee himself, but
rather what he stood for.

ChapTer

SHOCK
No one was prepared for Bruce
Lee’s sudden death or how to
respond, including stars who
trained under him like Steve
McQueen, James Coburn and
Chuck Norris (right) and thousand
of fans in Hong Kong (below), who
crowded the streets for his
memorial service.

On July 30, 1973, mourners he became a movie star, former marched, spoke and sometimes
assembled at a cemetery in Seattle students he’d embraced, trained, fought for a world that offered
to say goodbye to Bruce Lee. and inspired. opportunity for all, Bruce Lee
Five days earlier, an estimated did whatever he could to create
15,000 squeezed into the streets The group in Seattle included such a world for the people he
of Kowloon in Hong Kong to catch Bruce’s first student. Fourteen encountered.
a glimpse of their hero’s coffin. years had passed since Bruce
Bruce spent his life on a quest broke from tradition and “I DIDN’T
to bridge the gap between East welcomed Jesse Glover, an REALIZE
and West, but when he died his African-American, into the world THE IMPACT
wife Linda had to choose a place of kung fu. Glover was shattered OF BRUCE
to bury him—she decided that by the death of sifu, the man who UNTIL HIS
after his memorial in Hong Kong, had changed his life. DEATH.”
Bruce would be laid to rest in the
country where he was born. There As a teacher, Bruce pushed his
was no large crowd at Seattle’s students to be well trained and
Lake View Cemetery, only a skilled in combat. But Bruce’s
handful of reporters and fans message to Glover and all his
who milled about, away from the students was not only about
friends and family who had come optimizing their potential in
to pay their respects. The group martial arts.
reflected all the worlds that Bruce
Lee touched: from Hong Kong Bruce encouraged everyone he
and beyond, his extended family met to strive for self-expression,
and friends; from Hollywood, strength and inclusion in
pallbearers James Coburn and everything they pursued—an
Steve McQueen; from the stops ideal that took on greater
he made during his life before significance during the racially-
charged 1960s and continued in
the decades that followed.

In an era when thousands

80 B R UC E L E E

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82 BR UC E L EE

LAID TO REST did. In a divided world, one torn It didn’t matter to Bruce that
Soon after his memorial service apart by nationalism and conflict some of the very Hollywood
in Hong Kong, Bruce’s wife, Linda, during his lifetime and beyond, executives who helped him start
decided to return to the U.S. for Bruce faced discrimination from his career also spoke about him
a burial ceremony held in Seattle, all sides. Yet he also embraced using stereotypes that belittled
the city where Bruce first settled everyone, regardless of their him and, often, outright mocked
after returning to America. skin color or ethnicity. Bruce Lee his heritage and the way he
Seattle would become a special didn’t care what others thought spoke. It also didn’t matter that
place for fans and followers of about him, and cared even less some members of the Chinese
Bruce Lee, a fact that remains true about what they said. In a pre-PC community considered him
to this day. world, cutting and hurtful words “impure” for being Eurasian,
were used casually every day. criticized him for embracing
At Bruce Lee’s funeral in students of different ethnic
Seattle, Glover lingered after orgins, or raised their eyebrows
the casket was lowered into when he married Linda. When a
the ground and the others had Chinese reporter asked him if his
dispersed. When the site workers interracial marriage would cause
arrived, Glover took their shovels him grief, Bruce responded,
from them “because,” Glover “Many people may think that
would say, “it didn’t seem right it will be. But to me, this kind
that Bruce should be covered by of racial barrier does not exist.
strange hands.” If I say I believe that ‘everyone
under the sun’ is a member of a
Glover was the first authorized universal family, you may think
martial arts instructor trained by I am bluffing and idealistic. But
Bruce Lee. “I didn’t realize the if anyone still believes in racial
impact of Bruce until his death,” differences, I think he is too
said Glover, who died in 2012. backward and narrow. No matter
“Perhaps I can do for Bruce in if your color is black or white, red
death what I failed to do for him or blue, I can still make friends
in life.” with you without any barrier.”

“Ithink of myself as a human In Hollywood, where truth can
being, because under the
sky there is but one family,” IN A DIVIDED WORLD TORN
Bruce once said. “It just so APART BY CONFLICT, BRUCE
happens that people are FACED DISCRIMINATION
different.” FROM ALL SIDES
Bruce’s message is
powerful for a simple reason:
he practiced it in everything he

83

be hard to come by, Bruce Lee was to be on. I think that business- could be of any ethnicity and
never afraid to speak out honestly wise, it’s a risk.” came from every walk of life.
yet tactfully. When his idea for
the TV show The Warrior was Such disappointments were It’s no surprise that Bruce
rejected, he was asked whether undoubtedly upsetting for Bruce. Lee had fans from all around the
he’d had conversations with studio But, still, he refused to accept world. His masterwork, Enter
executives about whether an defeat. Without his perseverance, the Dragon, was released in 1973
American audience would accept the stories he brought to the and featured ancient Chinese
an Asian hero. Lee replied: “Such screen might not have been symbols, Afros, bell bottoms, and
questions have been raised, and it widely seen or, possibly, told also one of the first multicultural
is being discussed. And that is why at all. These popular tales casts from a major Hollywood
The Warrior is probably not going became parables of self-driven studio. The plot focused on three
empowerment, with heroes who leads: one Black (Jim Kelly), one
white (John Saxon), and one
BRUCE TRANSFORMED POP Asian (Bruce Lee), and all of them
CULTURE AND INSPIRED A kicked butt.
NEW MOVIE GENRE: THE
BRUCE LEE TRIBUTE FILM When Bruce Lee started
his Hollywood career, Asian
men were still stuck playing
characters on the periphery, like
Hop Sing, the cook who spoke
Pidgin English on Bonanza.
Occasionally, a role would come
up for a sinister villain, like the
silent butler with a deadly bowler
hat, Oddjob, in the James Bond
film Goldfinger.

But an Asian leading man?
Someone who was charming, well

84 BR UC E L EE

THE END, OR THE BEGINNING?
Enter the Dragon, which premiered
shortly after Bruce’s shocking
death, was a worldwide
phenomenon and led to demand
for more movies. Game of Death,
with a memorable fight scene
against friend and former student,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was stitched
together using footage shot before
Bruce’s passing.

dressed, won the fight and walked right-thinking frame of mind, of all time at 11 million copies.
away with the leading lady? No. I’d like to dismiss the film as Bruce Lee transformed American
That wasn’t acceptable because abhorrently grotesque masculine filmmaking and popular culture.
a lot of people in Hollywood said fantasy,” wrote a reviewer for Producers cashed in on the mania
the country wouldn’t find it to be The Village Voice, “but I have by creating movies around Bruce
believable. to admit that deep down in the Lee look-alikes. They stole ideas
most shadowy recesses of my and plot lines from original Bruce
Bruce Lee changed all that. subconscious the fantasy struck a Lee movies and created their own
He proved that American responsive chord.” genre: Bruce Lee tribute films.
audiences were more ready for
the characters he wanted to bring Bruce’s performance in Enter Game of Death, released in
to the screen than Hollywood the Dragon paved the way for a 1978, included old footage with
executives may have believed. new genre of movies in America— 5-foot-8 Bruce going head to head
and as a person, Bruce resonated in a fight with 7-foot-2 basketball
Bruce Lee was a leading man— with audiences from all walks star-turned-actor Kareem Abdul-
he just happened to be Asian, and of life. Kung fu movies became a Jabbar. While the plotlines,
partly white, and altogether free cultural phenomenon as The Big characters, and action could be
of traditional cultural boundaries Boss, Fist of Fury, and The Way outrageous, the themes of these
and expectations when it came of the Dragon all were granted tributes were timely and urgent.
to how he saw the world and wide releases in U.S. in the wake Soon, martial arts films with
himself. of Bruce’s death. Even episodes African-American heroes and
of The Green Hornet were shown casts were made and released.
The night before the August in movie theaters. Movie houses The influence of Bruce Lee films
1973 premiere of Enter the all over New York City played could be seen and felt clearly in
Dragon, a crowd began forming kung fu flicks. A disco song by a these works as well.
on Hollywood Boulevard, Jamaican artist, Carl Douglas,
near Grauman’s Chinese called “Kung Fu Fighting” was It simply didn’t matter who
Theatre. Even the movie critics among the biggest hits of 1974 you were or where you came
predisposed to trashing a loud and one of the best-selling singles from. It seemed like everyone
and gaudy action flick praised could relate to Bruce Lee.
the movie. “In my most civilized

85







ICONIC SYMBOL OF HOPE
Bruce Lee statues, like this one in Hong Kong, can be found all around the world and sometimes in
unexpected places. The fact that a person of American and Chinese decent became such a popular symbol to
fans of all races and nationalities is a testament not only to his movies and television roles, but also the way he
carried himself as a human being and how he shared his positive outlook on life with everyone.

ChapTer

In 2004, a youth group called As tensions continued in the years racial heritage, even the hurts that
the Urban Movement Mostar after the war, Urban Movement had been put upon him.
sought to do the impossible in the Mostar believed that a symbol
Bosnian town of Mostar: unite the of unity could offer a glimpse of The invention of VHS tapes
city’s divided people. During the hope that people, no matter which allowed Bruce’s message to spread
Croat-Bosniak War in the 1990s, side of the city they were from, globally, including to communist
Mostar exploded into violence, the could come together after years of Yugoslavia in the 1970s. Young
city fracturing along ethnic lines. division. men across the Balkans watched
bootleg copies of Enter the Dragon.
The group decided that they Bruce Lee’s stories ignited such
would finance and build a statue in an interest that martial arts
Mostar’s Spanish Square, located became popular in Bosnia and
in the middle of an ethnically Herzegovina. Bosnian children
divided area. They proposed a practiced moves with homemade
number of figures, from the Pope nunchucks. It didn’t matter what
to Mahatma Gandhi. But there Bruce Lee looked like. These kids
was only one that the people of could relate to Bruce Lee, and
Mostar could agree on: Bruce Lee. in his performances see a vision
of the kind of person they might
It wasn’t just Bruce’s seemingly want to emulate
superhero powers that made him
an icon all over the world. It was In 2005, a nearly life-size
what he represented: strength, bronze statue of Bruce was moved
confidence, and inclusion. to Mostar’s Zrinjevac City Park.
Beneath the surface of what he It was the world’s first statue
projected on screen, you could of him. In the following years,
see the culmination of all his life statues of Bruce would appear in
influences—his embrace of the Los Angeles; Guangdong, China,
teachings of both Eastern and and New South Wales, Australia.
Western philosophies, his mixed As Veselin Gatalo, a member of

90 B R UC E L E E

ALWAYS REMEMBER
The Bruce Lee statue in Mostar (far
left) was erected to bring people
together in a city torn apart by
racial divide. In 1993, Bruce received
his star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame, right outside of Grauman’s
Chinese Theater were Enter the
Dragon staged its premiere in 1973,
shortly after Lee’s sudden and
shocking death.

Urban Movement Mostar, said, ever: During his lifetime, there style, Manny Pacquaio said,
“We will always be Muslims, Serbs were less than 500 martial arts “Like Bruce Lee.” The founder of
or Croats, but one thing we all schools in the world. Twenty five Ultimate Fighting Championship,
have in common is Bruce Lee.” years later, there were 20 million Dana White, called Bruce “the
students of kung fu in the United godfather of Mixed Martial Arts.”
 I ntheimmediateaftermath States alone. Conor McGregor, UFC’s most
of Bruce Lee’s death in famous champion, said that if he
1973, an entire industry Legendary fighters who were fighting today, Lee would
was born: posters, t-shirts, followed him cited him as an be a world champion in his sport.
sweatshirts, action figures, inspiration. Sugar Ray Leonard When McGregor attempted to
puppets, magazines, albums said he perfected his moves by crossover into boxing, he cited
and books—-countless watching Bruce. Asked by The New Bruce’s embrace of multiple
collectibles, memorabilia, York Times to describe his fighting
and media that rode the wave of
Bruce Lee’s legend. Teenagers “ADJUST TO THE OBJECT
in Tokyo cut their hair like his. AND YOU SHALL
Atop the music charts in India FIND A WAY AROUND
was a disco song called “Here’s to OR THROUGH IT.”
That Swell Guy, Bruce Lee.” Elvis
Presley watched Enter the Dragon
obsessively and even pushed to
make his own martial arts movie.
Bruce’s mission was to use his
movies to spread the teachings of
martial arts—-the philosophy of
his life. He didn’t live to see how
well he would succeed. Bruce
made kung fu more popular than

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92 B R U C E L E E

LASTING INFLUENCE nearly 50 years later, a message as online and physical exhibits to
All around the world, Bruce Lee’s inspiring today as it was then. continue sharing Bruce’s message
image continues to be looked to as with future generations. The
a symbol of everything he stood for The idea has been embraced foundation provides martial arts
in life. From entertainment to by protestors fighting for equality instruction for young people;
martial arts to issues of equality and all around the world. From the financial assistance to U.S.
human rights, people of all streets of Hong Kong, where students and their families to
backgrounds turn to Bruce Lee for young people have invoked Bruce’s attend college, and has created a
nspiration, positivity, and hope in words (“Do not be assertive, but summer program for kids to learn
the face of daunting challenges and adjust to the object, and you shall about Bruce Lee’s mind, body and
seemingly impossible odds. find a way around or through it”) spirit practices.
as an organizing principle in their
styles as an inspiration. “That’s fight for democracy, to the streets Scheduled to open in November
what a true martial artist can of the United States, where the 2021, the We Are Bruce Lee
do—they can adapt under any Black Lives Matter movement has exhibit at the Chinese Historical
circumstance,” he said. “Bruce Lee swelled across the country. Society of America will urge
said, ‘Be like water.’ When water everyone to continue fighting
enters a cup, it becomes the cup.” When he was alive, Bruce for his beliefs. The exhibit will
Lee didn’t necessarily consider be on display in San Francisco’s
Bruce influenced and inspired himself a civil-rights activist, Chinatown, as the CHSA wants
not just fighters but iconoclasts especially compared to others to reintroduce people to the vast
in all sports and in wider popular of his time. But he would and historic neighborhood where
culture, from basketball legend undoubtedly be proud that Bruce was born. Chinatown
and former student Kareem his beliefs and teachings have was hit hard by COVID-19, a
Abdul-Jabbar—“He beat the inspired such people who weren’t disease that created a new form
system,” Jabbar said of his hero— even born when he died. of racial tension for many Asian
to comedian Tracy Morgan, who Americans. Despite being one of
said: “Listen, Bruce Lee fought out Work in his name to make San Francisco’s most densely-
of anger. That’s why they call it the world a more positive place populated neighborhoods,
the Fist of Fury. Michael Jackson continues today. Since 2002, the Chinatown’s response to the
danced with fury. I do stand up out Bruce Lee Foundation has offered pandemic helped the city stay
of fury. I’m not mad at anybody. ahead of the curve. Chinese
I’m not mad at any human being Hospital led the way, taking in
because I’m a human being.” patients from around the city. Said
one doctor: “We want to reach all
As a teenager, Bruce learned the the members of our community.”
importance of calming his mind—
to be like water. When Bruce first Bruce Lee was born in that
said those iconic words—“Be hospital 80 years ago. He was
water, my friend”—he couldn’t considered American when
have imagined how it would he went to Asia, just as he was
become a battle cry for the world regarded as Asian when he
returned to America. Caught
between two worlds, he chose to
embrace them both, even when he
had to fight to belong.

Taking on that fight was okay
with Bruce Lee. He didn’t mind a
good fight, probably because he
almost always won.

93





EDITORIAL DIRECTION BY

10TEN MEDIA, LLC

MANAGING EDITOR

Vickie An

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ian Knowles

EXECUTIVE EDITORS

Bob Der, Scott Gramling, Larry Hackett

ART DIRECTOR

Crhistian Rodriguez

WRITER

Albert Chen

COPY EDITOR

Kelvin C. Bias

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Thomas Lee, Christopher Fong

BAUER MEDIA ADMINISTRATION

CEO, PRESIDENT

Steven Kotok

CFO

Bill Houston

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS

Eric Szegda (Consumer Revenue) & Jeff Wellington (Group Publisher)

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Dennis Cohen (Subscriptions & Licensing) & Gina Kelly (Production)

VICE PRESIDENTS

Holly Oakes (Consumer Marketing) & Melissa Meredith (Sales & Shopper Marketing)

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Bill Fiakos

Published by Heinrich Bauer Publishing, LP. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or
in part without prior permission of the publisher is prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A.

PHOTO CREDITS
All images used with permission from the Bruce Lee Family Company.
C2-P1: Walt Disney Television via Getty Images; P3: Archive Photos/Getty Images; P16-17: MN Chan/Getty Images; P26-27: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images;
P48: Twentieth Century Fox Television/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images; P54: Walt Disney Television via Getty Images; P72: Visual China Group via
Getty Images; P75: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images; P82: Stuart Westmorland; P88: aphotostory; P90: ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP via Getty

Images; P91: Meinzahn; P92: Tuul & Bruno Morandi (2)
BRUCE LEE and the Bruce Lee signature are registered or pending trademarks of Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC in multiple countries. The Bruce Lee name, image,

likeness and all related indicia are intellectual property of Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved. www.brucelee.com.

96 B R UC E L E E



“Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless
and add what is specifically your own.”

– BRUCE LEE