Bruce Lee

Date of Birth: November 27, 1940

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: July 20, 1973

Biography

Bruce Lee, born Lee Jun-fan, was a Hong Kong-American actor, director, martial artist, martial arts instructor, and philosopher. He was born on November 27, 1940, in San Francisco, California, while his father was on tour with the Cantonese Opera. Raised in Hong Kong, Lee moved back to the United States in his late teens to further his education, eventually attending the University of Washington. Lee is renowned for his roles in five iconic martial arts films: “The Big Boss” (1971), “Fist of Fury” (1972), “Way of the Dragon” (1972), “Enter the Dragon” (1973), and “The Game of Death” (1978). His groundbreaking performances and martial arts prowess revolutionized the portrayal of Asians in American cinema and elevated martial arts films to mainstream popularity. Lee was also a philosopher and the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines. His influence extends beyond martial arts and cinema; he is considered a cultural icon who bridged the gap between East and West. Lee tragically passed away on July 20, 1973, in Hong Kong under mysterious circumstances, though it was officially attributed to cerebral edema.

5 Interesting Facts about Bruce Lee

1. Bruce Lee was also a cha-cha dance champion in Hong Kong before he became famous for his martial arts.

2. He was a child actor in Hong Kong, appearing in over 20 films before moving to the United States.

3. Lee opened his first martial arts school, the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute, in Seattle, Washington.

4. He was an avid reader and had a personal library of over 2,500 books on various subjects, including philosophy, martial arts, and self-help.

5. The famous one-inch punch, a demonstration of his explosive power, became one of his signature moves and remains a widely-discussed feat in martial arts circles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bruce Lee

1. “Be water, my friend.”

2. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

3. “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”

4. “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

5. “The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death, Bruce Lee’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, adjusted for inflation.

Children

Bruce Lee had two children: Brandon Lee, born on February 1, 1965, and Shannon Lee, born on April 19, 1969. Both followed in their father’s footsteps to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. Tragically, Brandon Lee died in a firearms accident on the set of “The Crow” in 1993.