The legend of Bruce Lee is one of the more unique tales of Hollywood success. What makes Bruce Lee's accomplishments such a success is the proven fact that he really did overcome all types of adversities and hurdles to attain mega stardom that was reputedly elusive to him. As a fighting skills instructor to the stars, one of Lee's most renowned clients was Steve McQueen. McQueen was a major international star coming off the successfulness of 'Bullitt ' and during a training programme with Bruce Lee, Lee asked McQueen if he would help open a door in Hollywood. McQueen arrogantly expounded no and did so in a dismissive manner. Basically, McQueen recounted "Why should I let you ride my coattails?"
Almost everyone would have been broken down and dejected over the clear dismissive betrayal but Lee permit it to be known he will not be disheartened. He talked to others he would be a much successful star than McQueen ever was.
Today, both men have passed on and the legend of Bruce Lee has far surpassed the slightly forgotten career of Steve McQueen.
The life and career of Bruce Lee really took off when the film 'Enter The Dragon ' earned over $10 million in a month - an amazing sum in 1973. The film made Lee an enormous worldwide star and, together with Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery, he was thought to be one of the Founders of the modern action film idiom.
Unfortunately , this success was post-mortem. Lee had passed just before the release of 'Enter The Dragon'. Films that he had made in Hong Kong in 1971 and 1972 would be released after the US premiere of 'Enter The Dragon'. The double feature of 'Fists Of Fury ' and 'The Chinese Connection ' would earn over $50 million in North America and Europe.
Yes, Bruce Lee was a massive ticket office draw because there simply was not any one else in the film industry quite like him. He used to be a superhero come to life which helped 'Enter the Dragon ' draw in large audiences of youngsters on matinee showings. This was ironic considering the film carried an R Rating at the time.
Through the lens of history, many will have a hard time believing that Bruce Lee ever had a complicated time in becoming such a star considering all his gifts. The truth of the case is Hollywood was leery of putting an Asian actor in a lead role. This is the reason why he was turned down for the David Carradine role in the TV series 'Kung Fu'. Warner Bros. TV didn't think an Asian star would be accepted in a lead role in American television.
Bruce Lee proved his critics wrong and did so ever since his youth.
Lee was an infamously hyperactive kid who was considered "incorrigibly bad" and prone to fighting. His dad felt that enrolling him in martial arts lessons would be good for him. Lee submerged himself in the study of Wing Chun southern kung fu at Yip Man's kwoon (college) in HK. Apparently this calmed him down somewhat that he was trained enough to work as a child actor in Hong Kong films. Definitely, here is where the seeds of being a production star bloomed.
Highly inquisitive , Bruce Lee studied as much as he could about various sorts of Chinese fighting skills till coming to America in 1959.
Lee moved to Seattle where he commenced to teach kung fu to non-Chinese students...something that didn't sit well with many gurus. At last, Lee moved to Oakland where the legend of Bruce Lee took another turn. He was challenged by a fellow kung fu practitioner due to Lee's teaching non-Chinese kung fu. Lee won the fight but felt it took too much time and he was too winded in the result. This led straight to him developing a new martial-arts approach dubbed Jeet Kune Do, The Way of the Intercepting Fist. This new methodology eschewed the standard concept of learning a martial arts style and, as an alternative combined kung fu, boxing, and fencing to sanction a more organic and liquid kind of personal combat. Such a liquid nature not only made for a quality self-protection system; it also helped form the base for a uniquely appealing melodramatic style that was developed for demonstrations and films.
Bruce Lee finally got bit by the acting bug once again and that led straight to his landing the role of 'Kato' in the 'Green Hornet' series. The successfulness of the 'Green Hornet' in syndication in HK finally led straight to a film deal overseas which ultimately led on to the green light for Enter the Dragon in America.
Unfortunately , Bruce Lee would die at the age of 33 after a severe allergic reaction to a prescription led on to cerebral swelling. As he passed on from this world, he would enter the records of popular culture history due to his amazing success in life.
Today, the legend of Bruce Lee is still as powerful as ever as he has risen to worldwide celebrity as a selfdefense skills icon and all-time great action superstar.
Almost everyone would have been broken down and dejected over the clear dismissive betrayal but Lee permit it to be known he will not be disheartened. He talked to others he would be a much successful star than McQueen ever was.
Today, both men have passed on and the legend of Bruce Lee has far surpassed the slightly forgotten career of Steve McQueen.
The life and career of Bruce Lee really took off when the film 'Enter The Dragon ' earned over $10 million in a month - an amazing sum in 1973. The film made Lee an enormous worldwide star and, together with Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery, he was thought to be one of the Founders of the modern action film idiom.
Unfortunately , this success was post-mortem. Lee had passed just before the release of 'Enter The Dragon'. Films that he had made in Hong Kong in 1971 and 1972 would be released after the US premiere of 'Enter The Dragon'. The double feature of 'Fists Of Fury ' and 'The Chinese Connection ' would earn over $50 million in North America and Europe.
Yes, Bruce Lee was a massive ticket office draw because there simply was not any one else in the film industry quite like him. He used to be a superhero come to life which helped 'Enter the Dragon ' draw in large audiences of youngsters on matinee showings. This was ironic considering the film carried an R Rating at the time.
Through the lens of history, many will have a hard time believing that Bruce Lee ever had a complicated time in becoming such a star considering all his gifts. The truth of the case is Hollywood was leery of putting an Asian actor in a lead role. This is the reason why he was turned down for the David Carradine role in the TV series 'Kung Fu'. Warner Bros. TV didn't think an Asian star would be accepted in a lead role in American television.
Bruce Lee proved his critics wrong and did so ever since his youth.
Lee was an infamously hyperactive kid who was considered "incorrigibly bad" and prone to fighting. His dad felt that enrolling him in martial arts lessons would be good for him. Lee submerged himself in the study of Wing Chun southern kung fu at Yip Man's kwoon (college) in HK. Apparently this calmed him down somewhat that he was trained enough to work as a child actor in Hong Kong films. Definitely, here is where the seeds of being a production star bloomed.
Highly inquisitive , Bruce Lee studied as much as he could about various sorts of Chinese fighting skills till coming to America in 1959.
Lee moved to Seattle where he commenced to teach kung fu to non-Chinese students...something that didn't sit well with many gurus. At last, Lee moved to Oakland where the legend of Bruce Lee took another turn. He was challenged by a fellow kung fu practitioner due to Lee's teaching non-Chinese kung fu. Lee won the fight but felt it took too much time and he was too winded in the result. This led straight to him developing a new martial-arts approach dubbed Jeet Kune Do, The Way of the Intercepting Fist. This new methodology eschewed the standard concept of learning a martial arts style and, as an alternative combined kung fu, boxing, and fencing to sanction a more organic and liquid kind of personal combat. Such a liquid nature not only made for a quality self-protection system; it also helped form the base for a uniquely appealing melodramatic style that was developed for demonstrations and films.
Bruce Lee finally got bit by the acting bug once again and that led straight to his landing the role of 'Kato' in the 'Green Hornet' series. The successfulness of the 'Green Hornet' in syndication in HK finally led straight to a film deal overseas which ultimately led on to the green light for Enter the Dragon in America.
Unfortunately , Bruce Lee would die at the age of 33 after a severe allergic reaction to a prescription led on to cerebral swelling. As he passed on from this world, he would enter the records of popular culture history due to his amazing success in life.
Today, the legend of Bruce Lee is still as powerful as ever as he has risen to worldwide celebrity as a selfdefense skills icon and all-time great action superstar.
About the Author:
Today, the legend of Bruce Lee lives on. He is an inspiration to many worldwide through his
way of life, character, philosophy and his impact on martial arts and the film
industry. For more information, visit Bruce Lee Fan Club and LIKE us on Facebook!
way of life, character, philosophy and his impact on martial arts and the film
industry. For more information, visit Bruce Lee Fan Club and LIKE us on Facebook!
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