Who Bruce Lee influenced

The direction and tone of Bruce Lee's films changed and influenced martial arts and martial arts films in the rest of the world. He even taught other actors fighting styles such as Karate, judo and Chinese boxing by opening up a kung fu school. This is where he taught actors like James Coburn, Steve McQueen and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bruce Lee was a pioneer of martial arts and blazed a trail for others to follow. His influence extends beyond film and he made martial arts mainstream in the US.

Influenced Actors

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was influenced by Bruce Lee and even starred in one of his films called 'Game of Death'. His character was the last and most dangerous guardian that Bruce Lee's character had to face.
Take a look at the video below...





Chuck Norris:
Chuck Norris is an American martial artist who was also influenced by Bruce Lees style of fighting. Just like Bruce Lee creating his own style of fighting called Jeet Kune Do, Norris created his own style called Chun Kuk Do. Which like Bruce Lee's style it included every fighting style he knows. The two fight on set in 'Return of the dragon'. The fight between the two of them is, in my opinion, the most sophisticated fight ever captured on film. It may not look as stylish as some Jackie Chan or Jet Li fights but that is only the surface. Deep down this fighting sequence uses all the wisdom and martial arts knowledge that made Bruce Lee a legend. It was the first time that Bruce Lee as writer, producer and director had the creative freedom to do whatever he wished. This is one of the most influential fights in martial arts today. This is pure martial arts wisdom and is even studied for the use of timing, traping, rhythm, distance control, the element of surprise.
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Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan started off as a stunt double for Bruce Lee, but later become a stunt co-ordinator, director and an actor starring in many films. Bruce Lee choreographed his own fights and stunts and influenced many martial art actors such as Jackie Chan to perform stunts himself during his fight scenes. Today Jackie Chan has taken this aspect of directing and forms more exaggerated fight scenes, often by adding wild stunts and a lot of wire work. If you watch Jackie Chan fight, you will be entertained but when you watch Bruce Lee, you might learn something. Nowerdays Jackie Chan can be seen as better stuntman and comedian but Bruce Lee was a true martial arts master. Lee used filmmaking to prove and to demonstrate his fighting theories. Jackie appeared in Bruce Lee's 'Enter the Dragon', as one of the numerous people Bruce fights off. But now thanks to Bruce Lee opening the gateway for martial art films in Hollywood, Jackie has taken the highrise with his unique style of comedy and choreographd stunts that he brings to films.
Take a look at the video below...