Timeline of Bruce Lee, a legendary martial artist, actor, and cultural icon known for his unparalleled skills in martial arts and his groundbreaking contributions to the film industry. Through his dynamic performances and philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, he inspired generations and left an enduring legacy in both martial arts and popular culture.
29 April 1959
On April 29, 1959, at the age of 18, Bruce Lee departed Hong Kong and headed to San Francisco, then moved to Seattle to continue his high school education, where he would later attend the University of Washington.
30 October 1971
After leaving Hollywood in 1971, Bruce Lee returned to Hong Kong where his martial arts films, starting with 'The Big Boss', released on October 30, 1971, achieved huge success and made him an iconic figure.
22 March 1972
Bruce Lee's film 'Fist of Fury' (also known as 'The Chinese Connection'), released on October 1, 1972, was a major hit and cemented his status as a martial arts superstar.
30 December 1972
'Way of the Dragon,' released on December 26, 1972, is another testament to Bruce Lee's growing popularity. Notably, it demonstrated his skills not just as a martial artist but also as a filmmaker, since he wrote, produced, and directed the movie.
10 May 1973
Bruce Lee passed away on July 20, 1973, in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong at the age of 32 from cerebral edema. His passing was a shock to the world and left a lasting legacy in martial arts and film.
20 July 1973
Lee began work on his next film 'Enter the Dragon,' the first to be produced by a Hollywood studio, on May 10, 1973. Unfortunately, Lee died before the film's release, which became one of the most famous martial arts films of all time.