Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee changed the way the world viewed martial arts. He was born on November 27, 1940, at a Chinese Hospital in San Francisco, US, to a Chinese family. His father, Lee Hoi-Chuen was Chinese, and his Catholic mother, Grace had a German father and a Chinese mother. He was an American citizen and did not have Chinese citizenship. A martial artist, philosopher, instructor and martial arts actor, he became the most influential martial artist of the 20th century.

Bruce Lee is iconic for his presentation of Chinese martial arts to the non-Chinese world. His films, especially the Hollywood-produced Enter the Dragon, elevated the traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level of popularity, and sparked the first major surge of interest in Chinese martial arts in the West. Bruce Lee became an iconic figure particularly to Chinese, as he portrayed Chinese nationalism in his movies.

Although Lee was best known as a martial artist, he majored in philosophy at the University of Washington. Lee's books on martial arts and fighting philosophy are well-known both for their philosophical assertions both inside and outside of martial arts circles. His influences include Taoism and Buddhism.

Bruce Lee’s death at the young age of 32 was surrounded with controversy. Many theories abound regarding his death – mysteriously murdered, curse on family, allergic reaction, drug overdose. But even today one finds fresh flowers each day on his grave in Seattle, showing how popular he continues to be among his fans.