Bruce Lee

 Bruce Lee (Chinese: Li Xiao Long ; born Lee Jun-fan, Li Zhen Fan ; November 27 1940 - July 20 1973) was a Hong Kong and American martial actor and artist. 2 He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts system that draws from different combat disciplines that is often credited with pave the way for the modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Critics, media and other martial artists believe Lee to be the most influential martial arts practitioner ever. Lee is also a cultural icon of the 20th Century, who helped bridge the divide between East and West. Lee is acknowledged for his work in promoting Hong Kong action cinema and in transforming the way Asians were presented in American films.Born in San Francisco and raised in British Hong Kong, Lee was introduced to the Hong Kong film industry as an actor in the form of his father. These films weren't about martial arts. His early martial arts experience included Wing Chun (trained under Yip Man) Tai Chi as well as boxing (winning an Hong Kong boxing tournament) as well as a lot of street combat (neighbourhood and rooftop fights). In 1959, Lee, having U.S. citizenship due to his birthplace and birthplace, was able to relocate to Seattle. He was enrolled in the University of Washington in 1961. [4] It was during this period in the United States that he began considering making money by teaching martial arts, despite the fact that his dream was to pursue a career in acting. He started his first martial arts academy which was based out of his the home in Seattle. After later adding a second school in Oakland, California, he received a lot of attention during the 1964 Long Beach International Karate Championships of California by making demonstrations and speaking. Students included Sharon Tate and Chuck Norris. Later, he moved to Los Angeles to continue teaching. In the 1970s, his Hong Kong and Hollywood-produced films elevated the Hong Kong martial arts films to an unprecedented level of fame and appreciation, leading to an increase in Western fascination with Chinese martial arts. The films had a significant influence on the growth of martial arts, as well as films about martial arts worldwide. Lee is most well-known for his performances in five Hong Kong-produced films: Lo Wei's The Big Boss (1971) as well as Fist of Fury (722) Golden Harvest's The Way of the Dragon(72) that was written and directed by him; and Golden Harvest and Warner Brothers’ Enter the Dragon (1973) and The Game of Death (1978) as well as The Game of Death (1978), both directed and written by Robert Clouse. [6] Lee became a cult figure recognized all over the world, especially for his work with the Chinese, based upon his depiction of Chinese nationalists in his films,[7and also among Asian Americans for defying Asian stereotypes. After he first learned Wing Chun, tai chi boxing, street fighting, Lee incorporated them with other influences from various sources into the essence of his personal philosophy of martial arts, which he dubbed Jeet Kune Do (The Way of the Intercepting Fist).Lee passed away on July 20 in 1973 at the age of 32. Since his death, Lee has continued to have a significant influence on modern combat sports, like judo, karate mixed martial arts and boxing, aswell being a prominent figure in modern pop culture, which includes films, television comics, animation, and video games. Time listed Lee as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th Century.