Olden Times

considering the black and white image here, we should be able to tell that this picture is very ancient and it tells us a lot of things that we dont know about them. Anyway, this pic was taken when Bruce was 18. Sitting next to him is Yip Man, the WingChun practitioner who was also his master.

"Yong Chun Quan"

learning kungfu is not all about bullying and fighting. Its more to protecting people around you and yourself. And that's also the reason why I decided to dedicate some of my time to learn kungfu. But lately, i have found one more reason why sometimes kungfu can be really useful. It would be just alright to use it to serve a punishment on any particular person who repeatedly find fault with you without any reason. A person who is revengeful and abusive deserves a memorable lesson.

In Memories

Bruce and his friends.

Bruce and his wife, Linda Emery.

Bruce Lee's Diet and Nutrition

Bruce Lee is famous for his devotion to martial arts and his great abilities in this field. He was not only an exceptional martial artist, but also a serious bodybuilder. He firmly believed that diet played a very important role in achieving his objectives. However, he was not an expert in nutrition, he gained most of his information from body building magazines and experimented with different supplements in addition to eating a well balanced healthy diet.

The following diet rules are based on what is known about Bruce Lee's daily eating regime. There are many references to "The Bruce Lee Diet", but really such a diet simply attempts to replicate Bruce Lee's dietary and eating patterns, as well as his fitness regimes, to try to attain a physique similar to that of Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee's diet and exercise regime meant that he had close to zero percent body fat. Following this diet regime could help you to lose belly fat as well as improve muscular growth.

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 1: Avoid refined flour

Generally Bruce Lee avoided refined flour, so did not eat many baked foods, such as biscuits and cakes, which he described as being "empty calories". It is worth mentioning that today many people attribute irritable bowel syndrome to the excess consumption of refined flours. His philosophy was not to consume calories that did not provide some benefit to the body. This approach to eating is very similar to that of the Buddhist scriptures, which states:

"you must learn to be moderate in eating, and eat only enough to remain healthy, and fit for trance. For excessive food obstructs the flow of the breath as it goes in and out, induces lassitude (lack of vitality) and sleepiness, and kills all valour. And as too much food has unfortunate consequences, so also starvation does not lead to efficiency. For starvation drains away the body's volume, lustre, firmness, performance and strength. You should take food in accordance with your individual capacity, neither too much, nor, from pride, too little." From Buddhist Scriptures, edited by Edward Conze (1959).

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 2: Chinese Food

Bruce Lee enjoyed Chinese food, as he felt that western food was often too bland. Some of his favourite Chinese dishes were beef in oyster sauce and tofu. However, he loved to eat steack and liver too, but overall preferred the more balanced approach of Asian dishes. He felt that often Western food placed too much emphasis on protein and fat and not enough on carbohydrates from vegetables, rice, pasta etc.

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 3: Avoid Dairy Food

Bruce Lee did not like dairy food, and only ate dairy as part of protein drinks, usually using powdered milk instead of fresh milk.

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 4: Smaller Portions and More Meals

For Bruce Lee concentration on the type of foods eaten were not the only important consideration, the size of portions and number of meals were just as important. Bruce Lee would usually consume four or five smaller meals a day rather than a couple of large meals, plus some healthy snacks, such as fruits. Today body builders often follow similar eating habits, by eating high protein meals approximately every four hours to ensure the body has a good supply of proteins to help build and repair muscle tissue. Eating more often than every four hours can put too much pressure on the digestive system, and lead to indigestion. This is another reason why constant snacking is not good for you.

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 5: Drink Protein Drinks

Bruce Lee consumed one or two protein drinks every day, plus fruit smoothies too. Although his protein drinks varied, they generally consisted of:

Non-instant powdered milk - which is reported to have a higher concentration of calcium than other forms of powdered milk
Eggs - sometimes with the shells
Wheat germ / wheat germ oil
Peanut butter
Banana
Brewers yeast (contains concentrated B vitamins which are essential in the release of energy from carbohydrates).
Inositol supplement (Inositol is found in many foods, particularly in cereals with high bran content. Inositol plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. The function of the cell membranes is to regulate the contents of the cells, which makes effective functioning possible).
Lecithin take in granular form. (Lecithin is a mixture of glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids. It is needed by every cell in the body and is a key building block of cell membranes; without it, they would harden. Lecithin protects cells from oxidation).

All ingredients would be mixed thoroughly in a food blender. Bruce Lee suggested that for better results (i.e. for gaining more muscle mass quicker) milk and cream be added too.

Please bear in mind that the supplements Bruce Lee took were popular when he was researching bodybuilding during the 1960's and early 1970's, and these supplements may now be superceded by ones which produce better results. Also bear in mind that all supplements may have side effects if taken to excess. It is best to check with your doctor / GP before starting a bodybuilding diet.

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 6: Take Dietary Supplements

Bruce Lee also took many mineral and vitamin supplements. Today there is a much greater variety of supplements on offer that there were when Bruce Lee was training. Knowledge about how different supplements interact and benefit us has advanced a great deal since the 1960's, and as a result there may be better and more efficient supplements available than listed below. However, here are some of the supplements he is known to have taken:

• Vitamin C
  
• Lecithing granules
  
• Bee Pollen
  
• Vitamin E
  
• Rose hips (liquid form)
  
• Wheat germ oil
  
• Natural protien tablets (chocolate flavour)
  
• Acerola - C
  
• B-Folia
  

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 7: Increase Carbohydrates by Juicing and blending

Bruce Lee knew that carbohydrates are essential for people with very high activity levels. it was for this that he regulary consumed fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies. Fruit and vegetables provide the richest source of carbohydrates, so Bruce Lee would often make juices / smoothies comprising of carrots, celery, apples, bananas and some parsely.
Usually carrots would make up one half of the contents of the drink, the remaining being split between the other fruits and vegetables. He also sometimes used green leafy vegeables, again with a large proportion of carrot juice to help offset the bitterness of the green leafy vegetables. Juicing fresh fruit and vegetables is a great way to consume high quality carbohydrates. Juicing allows the body to more easily assimilate many nutrients. The enzymes in the juiced vegetables are also the organic catalysts that increase the rate at which food is broken down and absorbed. Many enzymes are destroyed when vegetables are cooked, especially if boiled, therefore consuming raw fruit and vegetables is best. Some nutritionists suggest that for better health and more energy, approximately half of the carbohydrates consumed should come from raw fruit and vegetables.

Bruce Lee Diet Rule 8: Eat Honey and Ginseng

Bruce Lee often drank a Royal jelly and ginseng drink to give a quick boost. These drinks are very small, and provide a very quick release of energy.

Royal jelly contains B-complex vitamins, including a high concentration of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), acetylcholine, hormones, and eighteen amino acids. It also contains many trace minerals, some enzymes, antibacterial and antibiotic components, and trace amounts of vitamin C. Contrary to claims by many of those promoting its use, vitamins A, D, and E are completely absent from royal jelly.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Ginseng promotes Yang energy, improves circulation, increases blood supply, revitalizes and aids recovery from weakness after illness, and stimulates the body.

Bruce Lee Diet: Sample Meals

Obviously Bruce Lee's diet would have varied greatly during the 1960's and early 1970's as his training methods evolved, but here is what is possibly one of his typical days meals:

Breakfast

Food: A bowl of muesli cereal, comprised of whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits, plus 2% milk (semi skimmed).
Beverage: Orange Juice and/or tea.

Snack

Juice or Protein Drink: Protein powder, non-instant powdered milk made with water or juice, eggs, wheat germ, bananas, peanut butter. Brewer's yeast was frequently added.

Lunch

Food: Meat, vegetables, and rice.
Beverage: Tea.

Snack

Juice or Protein Drink: see ingredients for morning-snack protein drink.

Dinner

Food: Spaghetti and salad, or another meal of rice, vegetables, and meat, chicken, or seafood.
Beverage: One glass of 2% milk and/or tea.

On the day of his death, his funeral in HK

Bruce died of multi-factoral causes. One of the main cause that we are still familiar with until today was the aspirine (painkiller) that he took on the day of his death after he complained of severe headache. Betty Qin who was with him at that time gave him the painkiller and he took a nap soon after he took the tablet. The major cause for his death was the hashish that he ingested which he got from Katmandu, Nepal. It's one of the most near-lethal strains of *unrefined* hashish and is much more rarer than the refined types manufactured in the Middle East. Some facts taken from Divine Wind: It's been documented to kill it's users the exact same way it killed Bruce on July 20th, 1973. It's neurological side effects are nightmarish, and contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, any one of which, his central nervous system could build up a sensitivity to, and so highly toxic, cerebral edema, kidney/ adrenal failure, vomiting, convulsions, cardiac arrest/coma and death is the result. On May 10th, 1973 he ate some in the bathroom and then collasped on the floor at Golden Harvest Studio, regained consciousness and then collasped again, and went into convulsions and seizues and was throwing up, then went comatose. Dr. Langford was very concerned about Bruce having no body fat left, as this will only worsen side effects of drugs in his system. There is no fat to help absorb it, and he also had his sweat glands removed later in 1972. Removal will also cause brain edema, because the saline that carries toxins, builds up in the body and bloodstream. The fluid buildup is pumped from the heart into the brain, resulting in cerebral edema and kidney failure, convulsions and, coma and death. When Bruce left the hospital on May 10th, Dr. Langford was sure he would be back. He was one of the top two doctors in the Orient and is still alive today. He was right; 10 weeks later, he died. No one killed Bruce--he killed himself with drugs. The doctors were surprised he lasted til July 20th. There were no marks on his body, just heavy swelling from the edema and some bruises on his left temple, running up the brow ridge. While in Betty's bedroom on July 20th, the seizures from the reaction jerked him off her bed, and the left side of his head was hit. They are too small to be the result of a blow with a weapon. Bruising is common with violent body seizures. The inquest was sham. Two UK doctors flew in to overturn Bruce's doctor's cause of death, and blamed it on a pain pill ( he had been taking for years ). It was also for insurance reasons and payouts, since Bruce stated in his will, he didn't use illegal drugs and if he did--he would be subject to payouts to certain parties. The government in Hong Kong was behind this. They didn't want a hashish epidemic on their hands, with all the young kids who worshipped Lee and wanted to be just like him. The night of July 20th, he ingested the hashish in Betty's apartment, than complained of a mind-numbing and constricting headache ( this is a side-effect ), and she gave him the pain pill, Equagesic, to counter the headache. Betty is supposedly writing a book, telling everything, right now. Bruce's weight in 1972 was 146, as he stated in a phone-taped interview with Alex Ben Block, who called him while he was making Way in summer 1972. He looks about the same weight in the filmed footage GOD some 3 months later in Sep-Oct the same year. Healthy weight. When he arrived in HK in 1970, he was 155, and weight traing trimmed him down. In 1973, while making ETD, he was about 135 pounds and underweight. By May, he was down to 126, some 20 pounds. I've seen a few photos of Bruce shortly before his death and he looks frail and sickly. The robustness from his face is gone. Dr. Langford said he looked obscene, with only 1% of body fat on him. It's easy to tell Bruce in his last few months--June and July. He's so thin and has a new and fuller hairstyle he never wore while in HK. There's a B&W group photo on a gallery on a website, with Bruce, Betty and co-stars and his appearance is identical to the July 10th TV appearance he made in 1973. Timeframe is approximate. The hashish he was taking was very bad for him, no doubt. Why would Dr. Langford tell him NOT to take anymore if it was GOOD for him. That is what was in his bloodstream on May 10th. Lee was no expert on drugs and formerally was anti-drug. He had costisone injections for the back injury he sustained in 1969 up until he died. This mixes in more drugs in his body and with literally no body fat left, sweat glands removed, making a hypersensitive reaction and death even more positive. Tom Bleeker's book has drawn heavy fire and I don't think it's all in rational proportion,and yes, some things are true. I'm not scorning it, but I doubt if everything stated is altogether true. Sure, if he wants to theorize, that's fine, about Bruce's death being foul-play. It's common. The only people who would know more would be several of his co-workers and friends who were with him the last 12 months of his life. I hope Betty publishes her book. The murder scenario is too easy to fabricate, and there are no hard facts to back it up. People claim "I know who it was and what happend". They want to take the credit and 15 minutes of fame. If they wanted him killed, I mean really, arranging an accident is the best way on the street. The focus is exploring Bruce, his body chemisty, what he took, knowledge of drugs he took, his health in general, form his peak to his decline. He was a sensitive and high-strung guy and had to cope with fame. Taking drugs is common with this. And finally, on the flight back to Seattle to have Bruce buried, his coffin was badly damage after the plane reached Seattle. He was finally laid to rest on 30th of July 1973, which was 10 days after his death!

His Biography

In a lifetime comprising a mere 32 years, Bruce Lee revolutionized the world of martial arts through his profound teachings and philosophy, and created a legacy through his work in motion pictures, that has evolved into a Legend. Thought by many to be the ‘Greatest martial artist of the 20th Century’, Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco on November 27th 1940, between 6:00am and 8:00am, at the Jackson Street Hospital, under the birth name of ‘Lee Jun Fan’. Courtesy of his thespian father, young Bruce made his stage debut at the tender age of three months, playing the role of a female baby. His father Lee Hoi Chuen, a prestigious member of ‘The Cantonese Opera Company’, would carry his young son on stage each night, during his performance of "Golden Gate Girl".

In 1941, when Bruce was only 1 year old, he returned with his parents to the family home in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The modest second-storey apartment, at 218 Nathan Road, would be Bruce’s home for most of his formative years.

By age six, Bruce had already begun to develop the charisma and confidence that would later make him a star, and he appeared in his first major childhood movie, "The Beginning of a Boy" in 1946. Later in the same year, Bruce performed in "The Birth of Mankind" and "My Son, Ah Cheun" and went on to make over 20 movies, before commencing his studies at "La Salle College" in 1952.

1953 was a pivotal year in the life of Bruce Lee. After losing a street fight with a local gang, Bruce began to train in the art of Wing Chun under famed Sifu, Yip Man. His natural speed and timing, and acute mental focus, guaranteed that Bruce would excel in this complex and exacting art. In fact his precocious talent developed so quickly, that despite numerous other encounters with street gangs, Bruce would never again lose a fight. As well as indulging his passion for the martial arts, Bruce also began taking Cha Cha lessions in 1954, at age fourteen. The dance was popular amongst local teenagers at the time, and Bruce not only went on to win the ‘Crown Colony Cha-Cha Championship’ in 1958, but also broke the hearts of many local girls. As well as his achievements on the dance-floor, ‘58 is also notable as the year when Bruce defeated reigning three year champion, Gary Elms, in the Hong Kong Boxing Championships, putting to practical use the combat theory he had devised with Sifu Yip Man. Like many Hong Kong teenagers of the time, Bruce became caught up in the ‘turf wars’ which surrounded the illicit activities of the local street-gangs. Participating in numerous street-fighting incidents, Bruce soon came to the attention of the police. Terrified that their son would forever become embroiled in a life of crime, Bruce’s mother and father, decided that he should visit San Francisco, the place of his birth, to claim his American Citizenship and finish his education.

With only fifteen dollars from his father and one hundred dollars from his mother, Bruce arrives in the United States in 1959, and stays, by prior arrangement, with an old friend of his father. By carrying out odd jobs around the Chinese Communities in the San Francisco Bay area, Bruce earns just enough money to secure his independence within a few months, and relocates to Seattle (Washington) to begin work as a waiter in Ruby Chow’s famous Chinatown restaurant. Mindful of the promise he made to his parents, Bruce enrols at the ‘Edison Technical School’ and through diligent study and application earns his high school diploma, while supplementing his income from the restaurant by teaching martial arts to local residents in backyards and city parks.

By the time Bruce had reached the age of 21 in 1961, his skill in the martial arts was astounding, both in terms of physical application and his understanding of the philosophical evolution, which shaped their development as both a combat medium and art-form. In March of the same year, Bruce matriculates at the University of Washington, to study philosophy. Very soon, knowledge of his incredible skill spreads to the other students, and Bruce once again fulfills the role of both teacher and mentor to many of his classmates. After a romance lasting several months with local girl Amy Sanbo, Bruce, aged 23, decides to propose in the summer of ‘63, but is unfortunately turned down. Dejected he returns to Hong Kong with friend Doug Palmer to visit his family and to benefit from a few months of rest and relaxation before re-commencing his studies. The remainder of ’63 was to prove to be a significant time in the life of Bruce Lee. Not only did he open his first ‘Jun Fan Gung-Fu’ institute, where he would fly in the face of tradition by teaching his direct, effective and street-realistic principles of self-defence to any person of any race, but he also embarked on a relationship with a certain Linda Emery. Bruce’s first date with Linda was on October 25th at the ‘Space Needle’ restaurant in Seattle, and the two quickly fell in love and would eventually marry. Encouraged by Linda, Bruce moved his Jun Fan Gung Fu institute to 4750 University Way near the university campus, and benefited greatly from a major influx of students who became interested in his teachings, and principles of self-defense.

In 1964, aged 24, Bruce meets Jhoon Rhee, the man considered by many to be the ‘Father of Tae-kwondo-do in America’. The two men would go on to develop a life-long friendship, based on their respect for each other’s abilities, and Rhee subsequently invites Bruce to appear at tournaments in Washington and other locations throughout the United States to demonstrate his breath-taking skills. Due to his success with the school in Washington and his growing profile within the United States as a renowned master of the martial arts, Bruce opens a second Jun Fan Gung-Fu school in Oakland, and his good friend and student Taky Kimura takes over the responsibility as head instructor. On August 2nd 1964, Bruce performs at the International Karate championships in Long Beach, California, at the invitation of Kenpo legend, Ed Parker. Bruce mesmerizes the audience with his feats of super-human ability, including the performance of a series of "two-finger" push-ups, and the incredible "One Inch Punch". -"The One-Inch Punch" is a technique which Bruce developed with student James Demille, which effectively allowed him to position his fist one inch away from the torso of an opponent, and with a short, focused strike, propel him backwards several feet through the air, seemingly without effort. Present at the groundbreaking demonstration was Jay Sebring, hair-stylist for the popular "Batman" TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward. Sebring was so impressed with Bruce’s physical prowess and magnetic charisma, that he immediately put him in touch with "Batman" producer William Dozier, who invites Bruce to L.A. to take part in a screen-test for his forthcoming TV series "The Green Hornet". After a passionate, whirlwind romance lasting less than a year, Bruce proposes to Linda and the couple marry on August 17th 1964 and move to Oakland, California.

Encouraged by his new wife, Bruce continues to teach ‘all-comers’ at his new school in Oakland, and angers the elders of the local Chinatown community, who deeply resent his insistence in teaching the secrets of Chinese martial arts to Caucasian students. Consequently, the elders nominate Wong Jack Man, a local Gung Fu expert, to challenge Bruce to a contest. –For both fighters the stakes are high. If Bruce looses he will be duty-bound to either close his school or stop teaching Kung Fu to Westerners, if Wong looses he will be similarly bound to stop teaching indefinitely. When the time for the fight comes around, Wong, intimated by Bruce’s fearsome reputation, tries to delay the match and then to impose restrictions on the techniques which can be used. Bruce is furious and insists that the fight be a ‘no-holds-barred’ contest. When the match finally takes place Bruce defeats his opponent quickly and easily using his refined Wing Chun technique. Despite his ease of victory, Bruce is still concerned that he took too long to defeat his opponent, and begins to re-evaluate his style. Through this re-development process the early concepts of "Jeet Kune Do", also known as "The Way of the Intercepting Fist" begin to form. -JKD will eventually develop into the most efficient unarmed combat system ever devised by one man, and will utilize the most efficient fighting techniques from such diverse arts as Wing Chun, Thai Boxing, Judo, Japanese Karate, and Western Boxing. Bruce’s key principle for his new system is a ‘style without style’, a ideology and physical training regime which conditions the mind and body to respond instinctively to any given attack, without reliance on set patterns or movements.

During early ’65, William Dozier successfully raises finance for the "Hornet" project and Bruce is signed to a one-year option as Kato in the resultant TV series. He is paid a US$1800.00 retainer, a small fortune at the time, and fulfills his lifetime ambition to appear on TV at the tender age of 24. On February 1st, 1965, Linda gives birth to their first child, Brandon Bruce Lee. Bruce is delighted at the prospect of fatherhood, and develops a close bond with his young son, which lasts throughout his lifetime. Tragically only seven days later, Bruce receives news from Hong Kong that his father has passed away.

Grief-stricken, Bruce flies alone to Hong Kong to attend his father’s funeral, before using his advance from producer Dozier to fly himself, Linda and Brandon back to Hong Kong, to settle the affairs of his father’s estate. After spending time with his grieving mother, Bruce returns to the United States in September of ’65, and resides in Seattle, before relocating with his family to an exclusive apartment on Wiltshire and Gayley in Westwood, Los Angeles.

During early 1966 Bruce finally begins work as Kato in the "Green Hornet" TV series, earning US$400 per show over 26 episodes, with a 2-part guest slot added into the Batman show. While living in Los Angeles Bruce, with the help of Dan Inosanto, opened his third Jun Fan Gung Fu school at 628 College St, Los Angeles, where the final formulation of Bruce Lee's philosophy of the martial art "Jeet Kune Do" blossomed.

The last episode of "The Green Hornet" airs on July 14th 1967, before being cancelled by the network. The ratings had dropped considerably since the first episode, and all accounts, Bruce was more popular with viewers in his supporting role, than leading man Van Williams. Disappointed by this temporary setback, Bruce continues to build a portfolio of televsion work with appearances in "Ironside", alongside Raymond Burr, "Here Come The Brides", "Blondie", "The Milton Berle Show" and "Longstreet", opposite James Franciscus where he appears as Li Tsung in four episodes. -In one episode of Longstreet, entitled "The Way of the Intercepting Fist", Bruce is given the opportunity, by screenwriter, friend and student Stirling Siliphant, to explain on film for the first time, the fundamental philosophical principles behind his amazing fighting art.

Bruce Lee's first Hollywood movie role was as ‘Winslow Wong’ opposite James Garner in the 1968 film "Marlowe". Despite extensive location scouting in India, a planned co-project with Hollywood students Steve McQueen, James Coburn and Stirling Sillipant entitled "The Silent Flute" is abandoned due to the lack of a coherent script. Bruce also suffers further disappointment when he is rejected by producer Fred Weintraub, for the lead role in Kung Fu Western – "The Warrior", a concept later developed into the "Kung Fu" TV series starring David Carradine.

Understandably, Bruce was at an all time low at this time, but on April 19th 1969, his second child Shannon Lee was born in Santa Monica. Linda Lee would say that Bruce felt that "an angel had come to stay at our house".

Bitterly disappointed with Hollywood, Bruce visits Hong Kong with his son Brandon in 1970, and is enthusiastically greeted by the local media community as the star of the "Green Hornet". After a stunning appearance on a local TV show, where Bruce performs a demo of his art, breaking four consecutively placed boards and one hanging in the air, he is courted by local film and TV producers. After rejecting an offer from Run Run Shaw at the legendary Shaw Brothers Studios to sign a 7 year contract on a salary of US$2,000 per film, Bruce accepts a part from fledgling producer Raymond Chow to star in his new project "The Big Boss", due to start production in Thailand. This first Hong Kong produced Bruce Lee film was a massive hit and out-grossed the "Sound Of Music", taking more than US$3.5 million in it’s first three weeks of release. Bruce becomes a star literally overnight, captivating audiences with his magnetic charisma, brutal physicality and a level of martial artistry, which was light-years ahead of any other screen-star working in the business at the time.

After the amazing success of ‘Boss’, Bruce is given a larger salary, a bigger budget and more directorial control for his next project "Fist of Fury", which went into production in 1971. In what many enthusiasts consider to be ‘the ultimate martial arts movie’, Bruce plays the fictional character of Chen Jun, a student of legendary real-life martial artist Fok Yun Gap. In an emotive, roller-coaster story-line of friendship, betrayal, revenge and deadly confrontation, Lee is a true force of nature as he battles against Japanese Imperialist forces determined to subjugate his people and close down his school. In each of the incredible fight scenes, Lee’s execution of technique is exemplary, whether fighting unarmed or with the weapon that would become synonymous with his image: the deadly Nunchaku. As a painful side-note, Bruce’s techniques were so powerful that student Bob Baker received a serious chest injury during the filming of his climatic encounter with Bruce, despite wearing a protective shield under his shirt. "Fist" literally took Asia by storm and Bruce became a mega-star in Hong Kong, unable to walk the streets of Kowloon, for fear of being mobbed by hoards of adoring fans. For his next production "Way of the Dragon", which also heralded his directorial debut, Bruce forms his own Production Company CONCORD with co-partner Raymond Chow.

Predictably "Way Of The Dragon" smashes the box-office record previously set by "Fist of Fury", and public demand for the movie is so high that the police have to re-route traffic away from theatres during screenings. To give "Way" a truly international feel, Bruce shoots on location in Rome, using the Italian capital’s stunning landmarks, to frame the action. In addition, rather than using the Hong Kong fighters so familiar to local audiences, Bruce enlists the services of friend and karate legend Chuck Norris, to appear as his nemesis in the deadly climatic confrontation set in Rome’s ancient Coliseum. This incredible one-on-one encounter stands even to this day, as one of the most skilful and realistic fight scenes ever committed to celluloid, and is a lasting tribute to the outstanding abilities of both men. "Way of the Dragon" also allowed Bruce to take the application of his trade-mark weapon the Nunchaku ever further, than in "Fist of Fury". In an amazing scene at the back of the restaurant, Lee dispatches his attackers using not one but two sets simultaneously.

Using a concept first conceived during location-scouting for "The Silent Flute" in India, Bruce begins work on "The Game Of Death" in August 1972. The premise of the movie, is of three fighters fighting their way up a multi-floored pagonda. To pass from one floor to the next, each fighter must defeat a master of a particular style. During the progression of the battle, two of the fighters, played by James Tien and Chieh Yuan, would be defeated and killed due to their rigid adherence to one particular style of combat and their inability to adapt to the differing challenges presented on each floor. The ultimate warrior, played by Lee, a fluid fighter unrestricted by an adherence to any one particular style, would on the other hand, successfully defeat each subsequent master, before gaining enlightenment after victory on "The Floor of the Unknown". Tragically after filming a number of electric scenes with escrima expert and senior Jeet Kune Do instructor Dan Inosanto, Hapkido master Chi Hon Joi, and 7"6 Basketball sensation Abdul Kareem Jabbar, Bruce was never to complete the project due to his untimely death. The fifteen minutes or so of footage which has survived, prove that "Game of Death" could have been Lee’s finest work. An explosive nunchaku battle with Danny Inosanto and the remarkable ‘David and Goliath’ confrontation between Bruce and Jabbar are years ahead of their time. While working on "The Game Of Death", Bruce is offered a Hollywood contract with Warner Brothers to make "Enter The Dragon". Bruce signs and makes the most successful martial arts movie of all time. The choreography on display is inspired. The cavern fight scene in particular where Lee takes on scores of attackers single-handedly with bare fists and feet, a bo staff, double sticks and his trusty nunchaku is an ensemble sequence which still ranks as one of the most accomplished ever filmed, even 27 years after the movie’s original release.

Bruce’s lightening hand strikes against chief protagonist Bob Wall were reportedly so fast during principal photography that the camera speed had to be adjusted before they could be successfully caught on film. Shortly before the release of "Enter the Dragon", the film that would finally make Bruce a star in the eyes of the Western World, he tragically succumbs to a brain aneurysm on Friday 20th July 1973, before he can reap the rewards. His death allegedly is the result of a reaction to Meprobabate contained in a tablet for headaches called "Equagesic".

Bruce dies in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong. He receives a national funeral in Hong Kong viewed by tens of thousands of mourners. Before Linda and the children plus close relatives and friends including Steve McQueen and James Coburn had Bruce is also given a private burial at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle on July 31st 1973, he is aged 32.

Five years after Bruce’s death, Golden Harvest Chief Executive Raymond Chow finally releases "Game of Death". -Using "Enter the Dragon" director Robert Clouse, a number of stand-ins and the formidable expertise of Hong Kong actor, director and fight choreographer Sammo Hung, Chow creates a framework in which to showcase the final unseen work of Bruce Lee. Upon its release in 1978, fans marvel at the intricate fight choreography and physical expertise on display in each of the three remarkable fight scenes.

Today Bruce Lee is still a world icon and an inspiration to all seeking the answers to life's problems, and the search for ultimate knowledge that is self-knowledge.

Facts that You Might Not Know.

Lee's phenomenal fitness meant he was capable of performing many exceptional physical feats. The following list includes some of the physical feats that are documented and supported by reliable sources.


Lee's striking speed from three feet with his hands down by his side reached five hundredths of a second.
Lee's combat movements were at times too fast to be captured on film at 24 frames per second, so many scenes were shot in 32fps to put Lee in slow motion. Normally martial arts films are sped up.
In a speed demonstration, Lee could snatch a dime off a person's open palm before they could close it, and leave a penny behind.
Lee could perform push ups using only his thumbs.
Lee would hold an elevated v-sit position for 30 minutes or longer.
Lee could throw grains of rice up into the air and then catch them in mid-flight using chopsticks.
Lee performed one-hand push-ups using only the thumb and index finger.
Lee performed 50 reps of one-arm chin-ups.
Lee could break wooden boards 6 inches (15 cm) thick.
Lee could cause a 300-lb (136 kg) bag to fly towards and thump the ceiling with a side kick.
Lee performed a side kick while training with James Coburn and broke a 150-lb (68 kg) punching bag.
In a move that has been dubbed "Dragon Flag", Lee could perform leg lifts with only his shoulder blades resting on the edge of a bench and suspend his legs and torso perfectly horizontal midair.