Bruce Lee, born Lee Jun-fan on November 27, 1940, was a renowned martial artist and actor who gained international fame for his films, particularly "Enter the Dragon" (1973). Born in San Francisco's Chinatown to parents from Hong Kong, Lee spent much of his childhood in Kowloon, Hong Kong. He began learning martial arts at a young age under Wing Chun master Yip Man, and later developed his own style, Jeet Kune Do, which emphasized the use of any effective technique or method available, regardless of its origin.
Lee moved to Seattle with his family in 1959, where he opened his first martial arts school. He also started acting, appearing in several television series and films before returning to Hong Kong in 1971. There, he starred in several popular martial arts films, including "The Big Boss" (1971) and "Fist of Fury" (1972). His most famous film, "Enter the Dragon," was released posthumously in 1973 after his untimely death at age 32.
Throughout his career, Lee broke barriers for Asian actors in Hollywood, demonstrating remarkable athleticism and screen presence. He remains an iconic figure in popular culture and a significant influence on martial arts worldwide. His philosophy of self-expression through martial arts continues to inspire practitioners today.
There were five babies named Bruce Lee born annually in 1989.