Bruce Lee's Legacy in Martail Arts

Bruce Lee is the most honored and recognized name in martial arts. His life and mysterious death sparked an interest in martial arts that still exist to this day. Lee's legend has inspired such actors as: Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, James Colburn, and many more. Bruce Lee is considered by many as being "the most influential martial artist of the 20th century."

Born on November 27th 1940 (the year of the dragon), Bruce Lee was destined for fame. His father Lee Hoi Chuen was a Cantonese opera star, and also a film actor. His mother Grace was a part of one of Hong Kong's wealthiest elite clans the Ho Tungs; which is compared to the Kennedy's and the Rockefeller's in America.

Early career

Although Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco he was raised in Hong Kong through his late teens. Lee practiced the Chinese martial art of Kung Fu, which he referred to as Gung Fu. The style of Kung Fu Lee practiced was particularly Wing Chun. Lee first appeared in several short black and white films as a young child, and by the time he was eighteen years old Lee had already appeared in twenty films.

Back in the United States Bruce Lee was invited for an audition and impressed the producers so much by his quickness that he was awarded the role of Kato for the TV series "Green Hornet" which lasted from 1966 -1967.

Lee's first American film was entitled Marlow. In this film Bruce Lee was cast as a henchman that was hired to intimidate detective Marlow, who was played by James Garner. Unhappy with his supporting roles in the United States, Lee went back to Hong Kong unaware of the success of the Green Hornet. Lee was pleasantly surprised arriving in Hong Kong as he was immediately recognized on the street as the star of the show. The legend of Bruce Lee was just beginning.

A legend is born

In 1971 Bruce Lee went on to star in his first leading role in the "Big Boss." This film was a huge success across Asia and quickly catapulted him into stardom. The direction of this martial art film helped to elevate the level of the "traditional" martial arts films to a new level of popularity. The legend of Bruce Lee began to spread like wildfire as he became a heroic figure for the Chinese, as he portrayed his national pride in this film.

Then in 1972 Bruce Lee's second feature film "Fist of Fury" was released. This film broke all of the box office records of the first film, and now Bruce Lee was becoming an icon throughout Asia. Also in 1972 the television show Kung Fu was released on American television. Lee was considered for the starring role, but David Carridine was chosen instead.

In an interview Bruce Lee contended that the TV series Kung Fu was spawned by an idea he had which he called the Warriors, and that the show was reformatted and renamed.

Bruce Lee's third feature film (Way of the Dragon) was released in 1972. In this film Lee was given control of the film's: production, writing, and also choreography of all of the fight scenes. The Way of the Dragon introduced the public eye to Chuck Norris who was Bruce Lee's final opponent at the death fight in the Roman coliseum. This scene is considered by many as being the most memorable fight scene in martial art history.

Bruce Lee went to work on his next film (Enter the Dragon) that would skyrocket his success in Europe, and also the United States, however several months after the film's completion Bruce Lee mysteriously died.

Enter the Dragon went on to be one of the years top grossing films, and made Bruce Lee a martial arts legend. This film has grossed over $200 million worldwide since its release.

Leaving his legacy

Bruce Lee also created the martial art of Jeet Kune Do. Lee created what he called "the style of no style." He lifted the indicative traditional styles which he said were too restricting. The emphases of Jeet Kune Do are: flexibility, speed, practicality, and efficiency. Also created by Lee are his two finger pushups, and his famous one inch punch.

But, Bruce Lee was more than just a famous martial artist, he was also a philosopher. He studied at the University of Washington and was very well read, and also had a very extensive library. His books are known worldwide for his philosophical concepts, both in and out of the ring.

Some of his more famous students include: Chuck Norris, Kareem Abdul-jabbar, James Colburn, Lee Marvin, Steve McQueen, and many more. His philosophy along with his films and teachings makes his name immortal in the martial art world.

Bruce Lee's death on July 20th 1973 was ruled a "death by misadventures." The cause of his death was an acute cerebral edema (in the brain) due to the reaction of the prescription pain killing drug Equagesic.

Although Bruce Lee is gone his name and his teachings will live on forever. The passion he had is now passed on to millions to be enjoyed and practiced for centuries to come; God rest his soul.

Source of information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Lee-