01:04
comehere
The legend of Bruce Lee is one of the more unique account of Hollywood success. What makes Bruce Lee's achievements so successful is the incontrovertible fact that he truly did overcome all sort of adversities and obstacles to realize stardom that was apparently evasive to him. As a martial arts instructor to the stars, one of Lee's most famous clients was Steve McQueen. McQueen was a major global star coming off the achievement of 'Bullitt ' and in a training routine with Bruce Lee, Lee asked McQueen if he would help open a door in Hollywood. McQueen arrogantly said no and did so in a dismissive attitude. Essentially, McQueen claimed "Why should I let you ride my coattails?"
Most people would have been broken down and dejected over the apparent dismissive betrayal but Lee allow it to be known he wouldn't be deterred. He mentioned to others he would be a much larger star than McQueen ever was.
Today, both men have passed on and the legend of Bruce Lee has far eclipsed the somewhat forgotten career of Steve McQueen.
The life and career of Bruce Lee actually took off when the film 'Enter The Dragon ' earned over $10 million in one month - a stupefying sum in 1973. The film made Lee a massive worldwide star and, along with Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery, he was considered to be one of the founding fathers of the modern action film category.
Sadly , this success was posthumous. Lee had passed just prior to the release of 'Enter The Dragon'. Films he had made in HK in 1971 and 1972 would be released after the US premiere of 'Enter The Dragon'. The double feature of 'Fists Of Fury ' and 'The Chinese Connection ' would earn over $50 million in North America and Europe.
Yes, Bruce Lee was a giant ticket office draw because there simply was no one else in the flick industry similar him. He used to be a superhero come to life which helped 'Enter the Dragon ' draw in huge audiences of kids on matinee showings. This was ironic considering the film carried an R Rating at the time.
Thru the lens of history, plenty will have a heavy time believing that Bruce Lee ever had a difficult time in becoming such a star considering all his abilities. The truth of the matter is Hollywood was leery of putting an Asian actor in a lead role. That's why he was turned down for the David Carradine role in the television series 'Kung Fu'. Warner Brothers. Television did not think an Asian star would be accepted in a lead role in American TV.
Bruce Lee proved his critics wrong and did so ever since his youth.
Lee was a famously hyperactive boy who was considered "incorrigibly bad" and susceptible to fighting. His pop felt that enrolling him in selfdefense skills lessons would be good for him. Lee immersed himself in the study of Wing Chun southern kung fu at Yip Man's kwoon (academy) in Hong Kong. Allegedly this calmed him down moderately that he was taught enough to work as a kid actor in HK films. Certainly, here's where the seeds of being a movie star flowered.
Highly curious Bruce Lee studied as much as he could about varied forms of Chinese self-defense skills until coming to America in 1959.
Lee moved to Seattle where he commenced to teach kung fu to non-Chinese students...something that didn't sit well with many gurus. At last, Lee moved to Oakland where the legend of Bruce Lee took another turn. He was challenged by a fellow kung fu practitioner due to Lee's teaching non-Chinese kung fu. Lee won the fight but felt it took too much time and he was too winded in the result. This led straight to him developing a new martial-arts approach dubbed Jeet Kune Do, The Way of the Intercepting Fist. This new methodology eschewed the standard concept of learning a martial arts style and, as an alternative combined kung fu, boxing, and fencing to sanction a more organic and liquid kind of personal combat. Such a liquid nature not only made for a quality self-protection system; it also helped form the base for a uniquely appealing melodramatic style that was developed for demonstrations and films.
Bruce Lee eventually got bit by the acting bug once more and that led to his landing the role of 'Kato' in the 'Green Hornet' series. The success of the 'Green Hornet' in syndication in Hong Kong eventually led to a movie deal overseas which eventually led straight to the green light for Enter the Dragon in the States.
Unfortunately , Bruce Lee would die at the age of 33 after a harsh allergic response to a prescription led to cerebral swelling. As he passed on from this world, he would enter the records of popular culture history thanks to his wonderful fulfillment in life.
Today, the legend of Bruce Lee is still as powerful as ever as he has risen to worldwide celebrity as a selfdefense skills icon and all-time great action superstar.
Most people would have been broken down and dejected over the apparent dismissive betrayal but Lee allow it to be known he wouldn't be deterred. He mentioned to others he would be a much larger star than McQueen ever was.
Today, both men have passed on and the legend of Bruce Lee has far eclipsed the somewhat forgotten career of Steve McQueen.
The life and career of Bruce Lee actually took off when the film 'Enter The Dragon ' earned over $10 million in one month - a stupefying sum in 1973. The film made Lee a massive worldwide star and, along with Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery, he was considered to be one of the founding fathers of the modern action film category.
Sadly , this success was posthumous. Lee had passed just prior to the release of 'Enter The Dragon'. Films he had made in HK in 1971 and 1972 would be released after the US premiere of 'Enter The Dragon'. The double feature of 'Fists Of Fury ' and 'The Chinese Connection ' would earn over $50 million in North America and Europe.
Yes, Bruce Lee was a giant ticket office draw because there simply was no one else in the flick industry similar him. He used to be a superhero come to life which helped 'Enter the Dragon ' draw in huge audiences of kids on matinee showings. This was ironic considering the film carried an R Rating at the time.
Thru the lens of history, plenty will have a heavy time believing that Bruce Lee ever had a difficult time in becoming such a star considering all his abilities. The truth of the matter is Hollywood was leery of putting an Asian actor in a lead role. That's why he was turned down for the David Carradine role in the television series 'Kung Fu'. Warner Brothers. Television did not think an Asian star would be accepted in a lead role in American TV.
Bruce Lee proved his critics wrong and did so ever since his youth.
Lee was a famously hyperactive boy who was considered "incorrigibly bad" and susceptible to fighting. His pop felt that enrolling him in selfdefense skills lessons would be good for him. Lee immersed himself in the study of Wing Chun southern kung fu at Yip Man's kwoon (academy) in Hong Kong. Allegedly this calmed him down moderately that he was taught enough to work as a kid actor in HK films. Certainly, here's where the seeds of being a movie star flowered.
Highly curious Bruce Lee studied as much as he could about varied forms of Chinese self-defense skills until coming to America in 1959.
Lee moved to Seattle where he commenced to teach kung fu to non-Chinese students...something that didn't sit well with many gurus. At last, Lee moved to Oakland where the legend of Bruce Lee took another turn. He was challenged by a fellow kung fu practitioner due to Lee's teaching non-Chinese kung fu. Lee won the fight but felt it took too much time and he was too winded in the result. This led straight to him developing a new martial-arts approach dubbed Jeet Kune Do, The Way of the Intercepting Fist. This new methodology eschewed the standard concept of learning a martial arts style and, as an alternative combined kung fu, boxing, and fencing to sanction a more organic and liquid kind of personal combat. Such a liquid nature not only made for a quality self-protection system; it also helped form the base for a uniquely appealing melodramatic style that was developed for demonstrations and films.
Bruce Lee eventually got bit by the acting bug once more and that led to his landing the role of 'Kato' in the 'Green Hornet' series. The success of the 'Green Hornet' in syndication in Hong Kong eventually led to a movie deal overseas which eventually led straight to the green light for Enter the Dragon in the States.
Unfortunately , Bruce Lee would die at the age of 33 after a harsh allergic response to a prescription led to cerebral swelling. As he passed on from this world, he would enter the records of popular culture history thanks to his wonderful fulfillment in life.
Today, the legend of Bruce Lee is still as powerful as ever as he has risen to worldwide celebrity as a selfdefense skills icon and all-time great action superstar.
About the Author:
Today, the legend of Bruce Lee lives on. He is an inspiration to many worldwide through his
way of life, character, philosophy and his impact on martial arts and the film
industry. For more information, visit Bruce Lee Fan Club and LIKE us on Facebook!
way of life, character, philosophy and his impact on martial arts and the film
industry. For more information, visit Bruce Lee Fan Club and LIKE us on Facebook!
0 comments:
Post a Comment