Bruce Lee came back to America because the mob was trying to kill him. Born in America, Lee moved to Hong Kong with his family. Eventually, he absolutely crushed an opponent with ties to the Hong Kong mafia. For Lee’s safety, his parents sent him packing to America with $100 in his pocket.
His parents encouraged him to learn martial arts since he got in so many street fights.
He was terrified of swimming. As a child, he pushed his sister into the pool. She retaliated by holding his head underwater so long, it traumatized him for life.
His several marriage proposals to a woman named Amy Sanbo were all rejected. They dated for three years before parting ways after his final proposal attempt in the summer of 1963.
He was circumcised at the age of 22. His father suddenly changed his mind and wanted Bruce to get one.
He is considered the “Father of Mixed Martial Arts,” according to UFC President Dana White.
He studied under one of the greatest kung fu masters of all time. At the age of 16, Lee began honing his skills under the direction of Yip Man.
He could snatch a coin out of your hand as you closed it — and replace it with another one.
His Martial Arts films are often slowed down. While most are sped up, Lee’s were actually slowed down so viewers could see what was happening.
He was a great dancer, too. He even won the 1958 Hong Kong Cha Cha championship.
He only lost one fight in his life. He was 13.
His one-inch punch (no cocking the arm back) was vicious. The man he hit in this demonstration was in such severe pain, he had to miss work the next day.
He also trained film star Steve McQueen, who would go on to be one of the pallbearers at Lee’s funeral.
He had an un-blockable punch. Lee’s “unstoppable punch” was so swift and powerful, American Martial Arts Champion Vic Moore failed to block it eight times in a row — Lee had told him it was coming before each blow.
He invented his own style and it was perfect for street fighting. Lee stripped down the complexities of traditional kung fu to create a style ideal for the common person in a common fighting situation.
He studied philosophy at the University of Washington. So did Patrick Swayze.
His corpse was used in his final film, Game of Death.
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