Dragon: The Life & Legacy of Bruce Lee – Part III
In 1971, Bruce decided to journey back to Hong Kong to try to establish himself again as an actor. He was contracted for the lead role in two Hong Kong films produced by Golden Harvest. The first of these, “Big Boss,” became an unexpected box office hit and Bruce’s stardom began to rise. The second, “Fists of Fury,” went on to shatter all-time international box office records and fully cemented Bruce Lee as a household name. The commercial success of both films allowed Bruce to exercise much more creative control over his projects.
Following his success, Bruce started his own production company called Concord Production Inc. He would serve as the producer, writer, director, and lead of his next film, “Way of the Dragon.” Along with introducing action star Chuck Norris to the world, “Way of the Dragon” continued Bruce’s trend of breaking box office records.
In 1972, Bruce began working on “Game of Death,” but filming was postponed in order to make “Enter the Dragon,” the first-ever Hong Kong-American co-production lead by Warner Bros, Golden Harvest, and Concord Production Inc. “Enter the Dragon” was set to premiere in August of 1973.
On July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee was suffering from a minor headache when he was offered a prescription medication to relieve symptoms. A severe allergic reaction to the medication caused Lee to fall into a coma from which he would never recover. He was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the hospital later that day. Bruce Lee’s final film, “Game of Death,” which features his iconic black and yellow striped costume, was released posthumously in 1978.
Bruce’s legacy extends beyond his iconic films. He was a chief architect in popularizing martial arts on the global stage, spawning interest in the art far beyond his schools. Jeet Kune Do’s core tenet of formlessness has not only inspired those practicing martial arts but all those that wish to live more mindfully. During a time with few opportunities afforded to people of color in the entertainment industry, Bruce broke stereotypes as a leading man and set precedent for Asian-American representation in popular media.
This legacy is carried on today through the work of his wife Linda and daughter Shannon. They created the Bruce Lee Foundation in 2002 to ensure Bruce’s philosophies and teachings will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Learn more about the Bruce Lee Foundation.
Read Part I & Part II of the biography.
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