“When the film was over, it was perfectly quiet,”
she said in the 2009 documentary, How Bruce Lee
Changed the World. “You could hear a pin drop in
that theatre. And Bruce was like, ‘Oh my gosh! Do |
make for the exit right now or what?’ And then all
of a sudden it started, the clapping, the cheering.
They loved it! They were thrilled and Bruce was
thrilled; it was wonderful.” Also, in attendance was
a 24-year-old assistant film director, who had not
yet directed his first feature movie: John Woo.
Significantly, the release of The Big Boss
helped Lee break down cultural and racial barriers.
He was successful in demonstrating that an Asian
actor can be a bankable movie star in a leading
role. His onscreen charisma and ability to obliterate
opponents using his martial arts skills made him a
hero to the people of Hong Kong. But what Hong

 

Kong audiences seemed to love the most about
Bruce Lee was that he was not only an action star
who kicked some serious ass, but that he was an
Asian actor who kicked some serious ass.

Sadly, Lee died in Hong Kong on July 20, 1973,
at age 32, one month before the release of Enter
the Dragon—his first starring role in a Hollywood
film. On the strength of four feature films (the fifth
film, Game of Death, was released posthumously
in 1978), Lee helped create the martial arts genre
in motion pictures. His death inspired a worldwide
phenomenon and interest in martial arts. Lee
opened the doors for future Hollywood martial arts
superstars: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Steven
Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Bruce Lee was a goal setter. He accomplished
so much in his short life. His writings, philosophies

and teachings of Jeet Kune Do are revered and
practiced worldwide. In January 1969, Lee wrote
a letter to himself, revealing his inner drive,
perseverance—and high standards he set for
himself: “1, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid
[Asian superstar] in the United States. In return,

| will give the most exciting performances and
render the best of quality in the capacity of an
actor. Starting 1970 | will achieve world fame and
from then onward till the end of 1980 [...] | will
live the way | please and achieve inner harmony
and happiness.” Lee would achieve those goals he
had set in his letter. And it is unfortunate that he
did not live long enough to see the rewards of his
dedicated, hard labour.

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne