Here is a biography of Bruce Lee:
Bruce Lee was born Lee Jun Fan on November 27, 1940, in San Francisco, California, to Lee Hoi Chuen, a Cantonese opera singer. When he was just one year old, his family moved to Kowloon, Hong Kong. As a child, Lee began appearing in minor film roles, including "The Birth of Mankind" (1946) and "Fu gui fu yun" (1948). At the age of 12, he attended La Salle College and was later beaten up by a street gang, which inspired him to take up martial arts training under Sifu Yip Man, a renowned wing chun kung fu master.
Lee's martial arts training lasted for approximately five years, during which he also developed an interest in cha-cha dancing and won a major dance championship in Hong Kong. However, his temper and quick fists often got him into trouble with the Hong Kong police, and his parents suggested that he move to the United States.
In 1959, Lee landed in San Francisco's Chinatown and worked in a relative's restaurant. He eventually made his way to Seattle, Washington, where he enrolled at the University of Washington to study philosophy and continued to practice martial arts. In 1963, he met Linda Lee Cadwell, whom he later married.
Lee's martial arts skills soon gained recognition, and he became associated with several key figures in the United States, including Ed Parker and Jhoon Rhee. He also opened his own kung fu schools in Seattle and Oakland, California. In 1966, he was cast as Kato, the Green Hornet's sidekick, in the television series "The Green Hornet," which aired for one season.
Lee's success in "The Green Hornet" led to more film opportunities, including a small role in "Marlowe" (1969) and guest appearances on the television series "Longstreet" (1971). In 1971, he was approached by film producer Raymond Chow to star in "The Big Boss," a martial arts film that became a huge hit in Hong Kong.
Lee's subsequent films, including "Fist of Fury" (1972) and "Way of the Dragon" (1972),cemented his status as a martial arts superstar. He also founded his own production company, Concord Productions, and wrote, directed, and acted in several films, including "Enter the Dragon" (1973),which was released posthumously.
Tragically, Lee died on July 20, 1973, at the age of 32, due to a cerebral edema caused by an allergic reaction to a headache medication. His death shocked fans worldwide, and he was mourned by thousands of fans who filed past his coffin in Hong Kong.
Lee's legacy continues to inspire new generations of martial artists, actors, and fans around the world. His son, Brandon Lee, was also an actor and martial artist who tragically died in a freak accident on the set of "The Crow" (1994).
