Bruce Lee
Birthday: Born in 1940-11-27 in San Francisco, California, USA
Deathday: 1973-07-20
Bruce Jun Fan Lee (Lee Siu Lung) was born on November 27, 1940 in San Francisco, CA while his parents were on tour with the Chinese Opera. Ultimately raised in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee was a child actor appearing in more than 20 films. At the age of 13, Bruce took up the study of wing chun gung fu under renowned wing chun master, Yip Man. Bruce left Hong Kong at the age of 18, came to the United States and made his way to Seattle, Washington where he worked in the restaurant of a family friend. He soon enrolled in the University of Washington where he pursued a degree in philosophy. Bruce began to teach gung fu in Seattle and soon opened his first school, the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. Two more schools followed in Oakland and Los Angeles. Concurrently Bruce married his wife, Linda and had his two children, Brandon and Shannon. In the mid sixties, Bruce was discovered while doing an exhibition at the Long Beach Internationals and a role as Kato in the tv series The Green Hornet soon followed. During this time, Bruce was also developing his own martial art, which he ultimately named Jeet Kune Do (translated: the way of the intercepting fist). Bruce's art was steeped in a philosophical foundation and did not follow long held martial traditions. Instead it had at its core the ideas of simplicity, directness and personal freedom. After The Green Hornet series was canceled, Bruce encountered resistance while working in Hollywood and so headed to Hong Kong to pursue a film career. In Hong Kong he made 3 films, which consecutively broke all box office records and showcased martial arts in an entirely new way. Hollywood took notice and soon Bruce was making the first Hollywood / Hong Kong coproduction with a film called Enter the Dragon. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee died in 1973 before this film was released. This film catapulted him to international fame. Today Bruce Lee’s legacy of self expression, equality, and pioneering innovation continues to inspire people all around the world.
TV Credits
Batman
Character: Kato
Wealthy entrepreneur Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson lead a double life: they are actually crime fighting duo Batman and Robin. A secret Batpole in the Wayne mansion leads to the Batcave, where Police Commissioner Gordon often calls with the latest emergency threatening Gotham City. Racing to the scene of the crime in the Batmobile, Batman and Robin must (with the help of their trusty Bat-utility-belt) thwart the efforts of a variety of master criminals, including The Riddler, The Joker, C...
Mentiras verdaderas
Character: Self (archive footage)
Daily interviews discussing the guest's personal lives and national contingency....
Longstreet
Character: Li Tsung
Longstreet is an American crime drama series that was broadcast on the ABC in the 1971-1972 season. A 90-minute pilot movie of the same name aired prior to the debut of the series as an ABC Movie of the Week....
History's Greatest Mysteries
Character: Self (archive footage)
Investigates a wide range of historically compelling topics and the mysteries surrounding each including the Titanic, D.B. Cooper, Roswell, John Wilkes Booth, and more. Fresh, new evidence and perspectives will be showcased, such as never-before-released documents, personal diaries and DNA evidence....
The Green Hornet
Character: Kato
The Green Hornet is a television series on the ABC US television network that aired for the 1966–1967 TV season starring Van Williams as the Green Hornet/Britt Reid and Bruce Lee as Kato....
Too Young to Die
Character: Self (archive footage)
Those who knew them best describe the sensational lives and premature deaths of iconic actors and musicians whose passing left a void in pop culture....
Ironside
Character: Leon Soo
When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding....
The Pierre Berton Show
Character: Self
The Pierre Berton Show was a television show hosted by Pierre Berton. It ran from 1962 to 1973, and Berton regularly interviewed important artists, actors, and other public figures. His iconic interviews included Malcolm X in 1965, Lenny Bruce in 1966, and the only known interview with Bruce Lee in 1971. When CTV launched, a Pierre Berton show quickly followed, aiming to compete with CBC's late-night news. Initially on CTV, it later shifted to CHCH Hamilton due to scheduling conflicts, continui...
Movie Credits
Marlowe
Character: Winslow Wong
Mysterious Orfamay Quest hires Los Angeles private investigator Philip Marlowe to find her missing brother. Though the job seems simple enough, it leads Marlowe into the underbelly of the city, turning up leads who are murdered with ice picks, exotic dancers, blackmailed television stars and self-preserving gangsters. Soon, Marlowe's life is on the line right along with his case....
Fist of Fury
Character: Chen Zhen
Chen Chen returns to his former school in Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While investigating the man's death, Chen discovers that a rival Japanese school is operating a drug smuggling ring. To avenge his master’s death, Chen takes on both Chinese and Japanese assassins… and even a towering Russian....
Enter the Dragon
Character: Lee
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover....
The Way of the Dragon
Character: Tang Lung
Tang Lung arrives in Rome to help his cousins in the restaurant business. They are being pressured to sell their property to the syndicate, who will stop at nothing to get what they want. When Tang arrives he poses a new threat to the syndicate, and they are unable to defeat him. The syndicate boss hires the best Japanese and European martial artists to fight Tang, but he easily finishes them off....
The Big Boss
Character: Cheng Chiu On
Cheng is a young Chinese mainlander who moves in with his expatriate cousins to work at an ice factory in Thailand. He does this with a family promise never to get involved in any fights. However, when members of his family begin disappearing after meeting the management of the factory, the resulting mystery and pressures force him to break that vow and take on the villainy of the Big Boss....
Game of Death
Character: Billy Lo
A martial arts movie star must fake his death to find the people who are trying to kill him....
Fury of the Dragon
Character: Kato
Several episodes of the 1966 TV series "The Green Hornet" edited together and released as a feature....
Bruce Lee: The Lost Interview
Character: Self
A priceless gem from the fine folks at The Internet Archive: Bruce Lee’s only existing television interview, from 1971. Martial arts expert Bruce Lee became world-renowned for his performances in such Kung-fu classics as ENTER THE DRAGON. Now his only interview in English is available. Just after the release of his first film THE BIG BOSS, he spoke in Hong Kong with Canada's premier journalist Pierre Berton. This is the closest one can get to this extraordinary master....
Dragon Rising: The Green Hornet Screentest
Character: Kato
Before he was a global icon, Bruce Lee was a young martial arts master, 24 at the time, trying to make his way in Hollywood. In this rare and never-before-seen screentest, Lee shows off his incredible skills and charisma as he auditions for the role of Kato in the TV series The Green Hornet. The screentest is a fascinating glimpse into Lee's early career, and it's clear that he was destined for greatness. His movements are fluid and powerful, and his expressions are full of intensity and focus....
The Orphan
Character: Ah Sam
When a young street thug becomes friends with the headmaster of a school, he gives up the triad life to enroll in the school....
In the Face of Demolition
Character:
This early leftist social drama from Hong Kong offers a panoramic portrait of a crumbling apartment complex and its down-and-out denizens, including a taxi driver, an unemployed teacher, a professional reduced to selling his blood and, of course, a venal landlord. In addition to establishing an omnipresent theme in Hong Kong cinema – the plight of the urban poor – the film is also a prime example of the popular melodramas of the time, which featured displaced Mainland film stars....
The Green Hornet
Character: Kato
After the superstardom and early death of Bruce Lee, 20th Century Fox decided to cobble together a couple of theatrical feature films from this property, of which this 1974 effort is the first. The bulk of the film consists of four episodes crudely spliced together. Scattered throughout are bizarrely irrelevant fight scenes from other episodes, which make the already disjointed plotting quite surreal. The television image was cropped to make a widescreen film, which means the tops of heads and h...
Amazing Masters of Martial Arts
Character: Self (archive footage)
This collection of archive footage from martial arts films offers an array of power-packed kicks, chops, leaps, and other dramatic fighting moves from expert martial artists Sonny Chiba, Carter Wong, Bruce Lei, and others....
The Kid
Character: Kid Cheung
A 10-year-old Bruce Lee stars as Kid Cheung, an orphan boy who sells comics in a little stall in the slums to survive. He and his two siblings are looked after by his Uncle Ho, a teacher. When the wealthy Hung Pak-ho surveys the slums to build a school for orphans, he is robbed by the vicious Blade Lee and his gang. Cheung helps Blade Lee escape and earns his friendship, but Uncle Ho convinces him to return the gold necklace Lee stole. Hung rewards Ho by hiring him as his private secretary....
Exit the Dragon, Enter the Tiger
Character: Self (archive footage)
This martial arts movie tries to explain the strange death of the international movie star and kung fu master Bruce Lee. Most of the story centers on a former disciple of Lee who launches a private investigation and ends up avenging the brutal death of his own girlfriend....
The Guiding Light
Character: San at 13
13-year old Bruce Lee plays San, a child up for adoption. Finally accepted by his surrogate parents, he is faced with a dilemma when his real parents show up and want him back....
An Orphan's Tragedy
Character: Wong Fuk-kwan (child)
Rascal To Chai-yan brings a false charge of selling fake medicine against doctor Fan Tin-sang, who is sentented to a twenty-year imprisonment. Fan makes an escape after a decade, and secretly provides for the education of his son Fuk-kwan brought up by a poor blacksmith. Fuk-kwan grows up to be a doctor practising in the country. To again does harm to Fuk-kwan, only this time Fan intervenes. Both he and To die in the fight....
The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies
Character: Self - Interviewee (archive footage)
Hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, this in-depth documentary offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the martial arts film -- from the genre's rebellious beginnings to high-flying modern epics. Jackson takes you through the best moments of 100 movies, including Charlie's Angels and Oscar winner Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Interviews with martial arts film veterans Sammo Hung, John Woo and Ang Lee round out the video....
Golden Gate Girl
Character: Baby (Uncredited)
The story follows a Chinese-American girl who falls for a Cantonese opera star against her father's wishes and becomes pregnant....
La Légende du petit dragon
Character: Self (archive footage)
...
We Owe It to Our Children
Character: Le fils fainéant
...
Thunderstorm
Character: Chow Chung
The Thunderstorm is a 1957 Hong Kong drama film directed by Ng Wui and starring Bruce Lee based on the play Thunderstorm by Chinese dramatist Cao Yu....
The Warrior Within
Character: Self
This documentary is about martial arts; about their beauty and their lethal potential, their history and their present status. It is also about their place in a modern society whose escalating crime rate and violence is making the knowledge of self defense a necessity for more and more ordinary people, especially women. The viewer is bombarded with a series of top rated martial artists. Fifteen top practitioners of Karate, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Kendo, Tai Chi Chuan and Classical Oriental Weaponry pa...
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
Character: Self (archive footage)
The fantastic story of how an ancient martial art, Chinese kung fu, conquered the world through the hundreds of films that were produced in Hong Kong over the decades, transformed Western action cinema and inspired the birth of cultural movements such as blaxploitation, hip hop music, parkour and Wakaliwood cinema....
The Green Hornet
Character: Kato
...
A Myriad Homes
Character:
...
The Wise Guys Who Fool Around
Character: Lee Siu Lung
...
Darling Girl
Character:
...
Too Late for Divorce
Character: Kai Cheung
...
The Real Bruce Lee 2
Character: (archive footage)
Mostly a re-cut of the movie Dragon the Master 2 with 30 extra minutes of footage added from various Bruce Lee, Bruce Li, Dragon Lee, and Bruce Le movies....
Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon
Character: Self
Promotional film on the making of 'Enter the Dragon.'...
Game of Death II
Character: Lee Chen-chiang (archive footage)
In this dark tale of revenge, Bruce Lee "returns" as Billy Lo, whose best friend Chin Ku dies of a sudden illness. But suspicion of foul play arises when a gang tries to steal Ku's coffin at the funeral using a helicopter. When Lo's younger brother Lo hears about the incident, he leaves his Buddhist master to investigate the truth. His trail soon leads him to the Castle of Death, the last place Chin Ku was seen alive. There, he meets and befriends an unlikely ally--a cruel and merciless martial ...
A Mother's Tears
Character:
This script was adapted from a Rediffusion Radio airwave novel, written by Lang Wun and read on-air by his wife Ngai Mun. Ngai Mun also acted in this film. Wang (Cheung Ying) worked himself to an early death. His wife Ching (Hung Sin Nui) raised their three children all by herself. Eldest son Kei (also played by Cheung Ying) was spoiled and grew up to be a robber. Middle child, daughter Ching-han, is materialistic and vain, and is later killed by Kei. Youngest son Leung (Yeung Fan) is diligent a...
Orphan's Song
Character:
The wealthy businessman Wu Xiang Fu’s family was trying to win the family’s wealth. The young and widowed two young women did not obey the woman’s way, and she was driven out of the house. She even wanted to poison her son, and she was fortunate to be saved by the old servant Zhong Bo and raise the adult. After a lot of hard work, the mother and child can finally reunite...
The Young Bruce Lee
Character:
From a young, boy until his late teenage years, we are witness to the life of Bruce Lee in this epic film that tells his story long before he would become a LEGEND. Featuring clips from Bruce Lee's Childhood movies and scenes featuring Bruce Li....
Fist of Unicorn
Character:
Unicorn travels to a village troubled by gangsters in search of revenge for the murder of his parents years before. The task is made more complicated when he befriends a middle-aged woman and her son who begin to admire and depend on him....
The Gods Must Be Crazy: Crazy Safari
Character: Self (archive footage)
Two guys, one of them a magician, are transporting an ancient chinese vampire who can only be controlled by a series of yellow tapes, and is the ancestor of the other guy. On the way, while flying over Africa, their plane stalls. And of all places, where do they land? That's right, in the village of the tribe of "The Gods Must Be Crazy"....
Bruce Lee: In His Own Words
Character: self
A collection of old interviews with Bruce Lee show us his beliefs, thoughts on fighting and what martial arts means to him....
Blood and Steel: The Making of 'Enter the Dragon'
Character: Self (archival)
The making of 'Enter the Dragon'....
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Character: Self (archival)
Documentary on the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, with a focus on the production of his unfinished film Game of Death. Using interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Lee aficionado John Little paints a portrait of the world's most famous action hero, concluding with a new cut of Game of Death's action finale, reconstructed from Lee's notes and recently-recovered footage....
Bruce Lee: The Legend
Character: Self (archival)
The Official Golden Harvest tribute to the Master of the Martial Arts Film, Bruce Lee....
Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
Character: Self (archival)
A video tribute to a martial arts legend, Bruce Lee. Examined are his early years in Hong Kong and his journey to Hollywood, his role of Kato on the TV series 'The Green Hornet', and his years as the martial arts instructor to the stars. Lee's spectacular rise to super stardom through his Kung Fu films is detailed, with a revealing look at both the on-screen action and behind the scenes controversy. Celebrity interviews include actor James Coburn talking about Lee as a teacher and collaborator, ...
The GREATEST : Bruce Lee
Character: Self (archival)
...
The Lees: Action Speaks Louder
Character: Self (archival)
Bruce Lee 'Famous Families' Documentary...
The Brilliant Life of Bruce Lee
Character: Self (archival)
Screened perennially at Hong Kong Heritage Museum, The Brilliant Life of Bruce Lee is a documentary film about Bruce Lee’s life as part of an exhibition entitled "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu ‧ Art ‧ Life"...
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Character: Self (archival)
More than just a biography, this film explores Bruce Lee's global impact to see how he has influenced all areas of popular culture including fitness, cinema, music, sport, dance, video games and philosophy. A journey across the United States, Asia and Europe, takes Shannon Lee on a trip back to her father's roots in Hong Kong and China. With unique access to the family's photographic archive, home movies and all material owned by the Bruce Lee Foundation....
I Am Bruce Lee
Character: Self (archival)
Bruce Lee is universally recognized as the pioneer who elevated martial arts in film to an art form, and this documentary will reveal why Bruce Lee's flame burns brighter now than the day he died over three decades ago. The greatest martial artists, athletes, actors, directors, and producers in the entertainment business today will share their feelings about the one who started it all. We will interview the people whose lives, careers, and belief systems were forever altered by the legendary "Fa...
Be Water
Character: Self (archival)
In 1971, after being rejected by Hollywood, Bruce Lee returned to his parents’ homeland of Hong Kong to complete four iconic films. Charting his struggles between two worlds, this portrait explores questions of identity and representation through the use of rare archival footage, interviews with loved ones and Bruce’s own writings....
Jackie Chan: Building an Icon
Character: Self (archive footage)
Jackie Chan is a true icon of Asian and Chinese culture. Over a 45-year-long career, he has carved a niche for himself as an actor, stuntman, director, and screenwriter, but also singer and formidable businessman. After starring in almost 200 films, Jackie Chan has reconciled fans of genre film and Hollywood blockbusters, whilst bridging the gap between Asian and Western cinema. Through film excerpts, archive footage and images, and an offbeat approach inspired by the visual codes of the golden...