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Bruce Lee’s Only Real Fight Ever Recorded Surfaces, Very Rare

Bruce Lee and Van Williams in ‘The Green Hornet,’ 1966 – 1967

Wikipedia

William Dozier, the TV producer of “The Green Hornet” asked Lee to audition for the role of Kato, the Green Hornet’s sidekick, and the rest his history. Lee starred opposite Van Williams (pictured) in 26 episodes.

Bruce Lee in ‘Fist of Fury,’ 1972

It wasn’t until Lee starred in “Fists of Fury” in 1971 when he broke box office records for his portrayal as a vengeful fighter chasing civilians who had killed his kung fu master.

Bruce Lee in ‘The Chinese Connection,’ 1972

ZUMA PRESS, INC. / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

“Fist of Fury,” was accidentally released in the U.S. under the title “The Chinese Connection,” a film title that was meant for another Bruce Lee movie, “The Big Boss.” While the film broke box office records in Hong Kong, it received poor reviews from critics in the U.S. upon its release.

Bruce Lee’s mother Grace Ho, Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee, circa 1970

MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES

During the success of his film career, Lee moved his entire family from Hong Kong to California. Lee is pictured here with his mother Grace Ho and son Brandon in this family snapshot in Los Angeles, circa 1970. Lee’s mother was alive at the time of Lee’s untimely death, passing away at the ripe age of 89.

Bruce Lee in ‘Enter the Dragon,’ 1973

CBS News

By 1972, Lee was a major movie star, having released his first directorial debut “Return of the Dragon.” He was poised to be a break-out star in the U.S. with the release of his first major Hollywood film, “Enter the Dragon,” in 1973, before he tragically died just one month before the movie’s premiere.

Bruce Lee in ‘Enter the Dragon,’ 1973

AP Photo

The posthumous release of “Enter the Dragon” saw Lee become a legendary film icon and a key figure in Hollywood. The film, which reportedly had a budget of $1 million, went on to gross more than $200 million.

Bruce Lee in ‘Game of Death,’ 1978

HANDOUT

The legend of Bruce Lee reached a new peak with the release of “Game of Death,” the last motion picture starring the greatest martial arts champion of all time. The 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film was incomplete at the time of his death. With over 100 minutes of footage shot before Lee’s untimely death, it was released as part of a documentary entitled “Bruce Lee: A Warrior’s Journey” years later in 1978.