Kick It Like Bruce Lee

There are few celebrities who have become enduring household names within the world—especially in the API community. Sure, there have been Hollywood stars like the first Asian heartthrob Sessue Hayakawa, the legendary Anna May Wong, and the lovely and talented Nancy Kwan; but, few have reached the meteoric levels of Bruce Lee. The Hong Kong-raised star is almost a modern-day folk legend—a man who continues to ascend even fifty years after his untimely death. The martial artist’s influence is unwavering, as many people within the entertainment industry continue to look to him for inspiration, strength, and so much more. So, how did the martial artist immortalize himself as one of the greatest trailblazers in Hollywood?

1940s – The Beginning

Lee, despite his father Lee Hoi-cheun’s hesitation, found himself involved with the movie industry rather early. At just three months old, he had his first role as a stand-in baby in the film “Golden Gate Girl” (1941). Soon after the family’s move to Hong Kong from San Francisco, Lee—or, as he was affectionately known, Lei Siu-lung (Little Dragon Li)—scored his first major roles in “The Kid” and “The Birth of Mankind.” Throughout his childhood, he performed in roughly twenty movies.

1950s – A Fresh Start

Lee continued to act throughout his teenage years, joining the leftist creative troupe Union Film Enterprise (UFE) to make socially conscious movies. During this time, he also began studying kung fu under Master Yip Man (who inspired the hugely successful “Ip Man” film franchise). When the UFE disbanded years later, Lee’s career began to lose steam as roles became harder to come by. With no other outlet, Lee began to get into more fights at school, leading to run-ins with the police. At 18 years old, his parents sent him off to live in America.

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