Bruce Lee biography, photos, family, son Brandon, age and cause of death, height

Bruce Lee's Biography

Bruce Lee stands as the greatest martial artist who, through his unique talent, motivation, and hard work, became a universal legend and gained millions of followers all over the globe. A talented actor, director, and screenwriter, he could portray the beauty and power of Eastern martial arts on screen.

Childhood and Youth

Bruce Lee was born in the United States, where his dad, Lee Hoi-Chuen – a Cantonese Opera Star, was on tour at the time. His pregnant wife, Grace Lee, a Chinese beauty with German roots, accompanied him on his trip. When it became obvious that labor would start any day, Lee Hoi left his wife at San Francisco Hospital and continued with his performances. On November 27, 1940, in the hour and day of the Dragon, a boy was born who was eventually fated to become a legend.

Bruce Lee with his parents in his childhood

The newborn was given several names. According to the Chinese calendar, the baby was called Lee Xiao Long ("A small dragon"). On his birth certificate, he was referred to as Bruce Lee (a name given to him by his midwife), and his mom called him Lee Jun-fan, which translates from Chinese as "return again" Grace really wanted her son to come to America, as soon as he grew up.

Having come back to the native HongKong, where their older daughter Phoebe and son Peter were waiting for them, the parents tried to make it seem as if they had a girl named Sai-fon («small phoenix»). They tried to fool evil spirits who, according to their beliefs, had taken their first child, who died as a baby. Initially, they dressed Bruce as a girl and pierced his ears to dispel any doubts. Interestingly, in his first role, he also appeared as a girl, portraying a 3-month-old daughter of the main character in the drama "Golden Gate Girl."

When Bruce grew up, his parents sent him to a Jesuit school, from which he was soon expelled due to bad grades and awful behavior. The little boy was a terrible student who especially hated math and grammar, and his favorite hobby was picking fights with classmates. Because of this, he often came home all black and blue, which was an incredible disappointment to his parents.

Lee Hoi-Chuen tried to guide his son's path and often brought him to film sets and theaters. Through this exposure, Bruce entered the industry quite early, playing a little thief in "The Birth of Mankind" at age six. His father dreamed of his child becoming an artist and saw that despite his thin build, disproportionately long arms, and slightly twisted left leg, the boy had an innate talent for rhythm and movement. This is why he signed Bruce up for dancing, which Bruce immediately took to.

Bruce Lee used to go in for dancing in his youth

At 13, Bruce first entered a dance class, and four years later he won the Hong Kong cha-cha-cha Championship. But despite this new hobby, the active teen kept getting into street fights, and after losing yet another one, he decided to study martial arts.

He settled on Wing Chun (a close-quarters unarmed combat style) and sought out the best teacher of this practice, ex-policeman Ip Man, who had opened his own school in Hong Kong. He immediately noted the teenager's fluidity and coordination, as well as the speed and precision of his movements. Bruce demonstrated great abilities, but street fights still appealed to him. Once the young man clashed with members of a notorious Hong Kong gang and beat them badly. The criminal world doesn't forgive easily, which meant Bruce was facing mortal danger. The scared mother instantly packed Bruce's things and sent him to the States: thankfully, being born in the US, Bruce was a citizen.

So in 1959, the young man found himself back in America: first in San Francisco, then moving to Seattle, where he stayed with friends and found work at their restaurant. A year later he entered Edison Technical School, where he filled gaps in math and grammar, then became a student at the University of Washington.

Sports Career

Despite his lack of free time, Bruce not only continued training but dedicated every spare minute to it. He mastered various techniques of KungFu, jiu-jitsu, and judo, using trees wrapped in blankets instead of mannequins.

Bruce Lee dedicated all of his free time to training

In 1961 Bruce Lee opened his own martial arts school, where he began teaching Jeet Kune Do, his own Kung Fu style created through exhausting training. It was open to anyone willing to learn, not just Asians, as was customary back then. This was a significant feature that distinguished his school from others like it.

A lost interview with Bruce Lee

The sessions were not cheap (could be as much as 300 dollars per hour), but they were well worth it. Bruce Lee kept perfecting his technique until his death and even created a special meal plan. He was always at the top of his form and constantly exhausted himself with strenuous training his competitors could not even imagine.

Film Career

But Bruce Lee didn't become a world legend just because of his athletic achievements. He completely revolutionized how fight scenes were portrayed in cinema, elevating them to an entirely new level. While earlier films sped up fight scenes, Bruce Lee slowed them down so audiences could appreciate his incredible technique.

Bruce Lee managed to turn around the way fights were portrayed in cinema

In his brief career, Bruce appeared in 36 films, many of which became classics.

While his many small roles as a child and teenager didn't make him famous, Bruce gained invaluable experience he'd later put to use. After moving to the US, he continued working in TV series but never landed any major roles.

When he learned about the new «Golden Harvest» film studio, he decided to return to his homeland and left America in 1971. Bruce convinced the studio head to not only cast him as the lead in «The Big Boss» (1971), but also let him choreograph all the fight scenes. The film exceeded all expectations, giving Lee the unique opportunity to showcase both his acting and martial arts skills while becoming directly involved in creating future films.

Trailer of Bruce Lee's «Fist Fury»

His 1972 films became massive hits and transformed Bruce into a celebrity. «Enter the Dragon» (1973) was also a huge success, releasing just one week after Bruce Lee's unexpected death. The film became a fitting tribute to the great actor and martial artist, with the final fight against Chuck Norris considered one of cinema's greatest battle scenes.

Bruce Lee versus Chuck Norris (a scene from «Enter the Dragon»)

Bruce Lee's final film was the action movie «Game of Death» (1978), which had to be completed using a body double. The movie included documentary footage from the actor's funeral.

According to Zoomboola.com, Bruce Lee's star was officially unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993.

Bruce Lee's Private Life

Bruce met his future wife Linda Emery in Seattle. Like Bruce, she was a student at the University of Washington who attended his kung fu classes. They developed a mutual attraction that gradually blossomed into love. Linda became Bruce 's true fan and dedicated student, and in 1964 – his official spouse.

A year later, the couple welcomed their son Brandon into the world, followed by daughter Shannon in 1969. Brandon became an actor like his father and, tragically, also died young in a terrible twist of fate. The young actor died on the set of «The Crow» from a gunshot wound caused by a prop gun that was improperly loaded due to crew negligence. Shannon also became an actress and currently runs her legendary father's foundation alongside her mother.

Death

With Bruce Lee being in the prime of his life and physical fitness, his death shocked millions of his fans. His death still fuels countless rumors and conspiracy theories.

Footage from Bruce Lee's funeral

According to official sources, the actor died on the 20th of July 1973 from cerebral edema, caused by an allergic reaction to a headache medication. However, one theory suggests gang members finally reached him through an assassin who knew the "delayed death touch" technique. Lee was buried in Seattle, where kung fu masters still make pilgrimages to pay their respects at his grave.

Bruce Lee is buried at the Lakeview Cemetery in Seattle

Gloria Walker

It`s very sad to know about his son Brandon Lee. This is the horrendous fate of two legends.

2021-05-11 19:24:15
Hunter Dylan Price

Many modern actors and actresses from the 90s were taking inspiration from Bruce Lee.

2021-05-11 18:48:32
Juan Bush

I watched a couple of movies with Bruce Lee and nowadays it looks strange but at that time it was a breakthrough.

2021-04-23 18:44:49
Jeremiah Chase Baker

Hell, this man is a real legend! He was the first one who was playing fights on that level in movies.

2021-03-10 16:16:21
Harold Owen

For a while I get carried away by Bruce Lee, I was reading his biography. He was a very interesting human.

2021-02-28 08:40:33

Photos: Bruce Lee