Bruce Lee: A Life (Book Talk)

Forty-five years after film legend Bruce Lee’s sudden death at age thirty-two, journalist and bestselling author Matthew Polly has written the definitive account of Lee’s life. An authoritative biography, Bruce Lee: A Life features dozens of rarely seen photographs of Lee, who made martial arts a global phenomenon, bridged the divide between Eastern and Western cultures, and smashed long-held stereotypes of Asians and Asian-Americans.
Following a decade of research that included conducting more than one hundred interviews with Lee’s family, friends, business associates, and even the actress in whose bed Lee died, Polly has constructed a complex, humane portrait of the icon. Polly explores Lee’s early years as a child star in Hong Kong cinema; his actor father’s struggles with opium addiction and how that turned Bruce into a troublemaking teenager who was kicked out of high school and eventually sent to America to shape up; his beginnings as a martial arts teacher, eventually becoming personal instructor to movie stars like James Coburn and Steve McQueen; his struggles as an Asian-American actor in Hollywood and frustration seeing role after role he auditioned for go to a white actors in eye makeup; his eventual triumph as a leading man; his challenges juggling a sky-rocketing career with his duties as a father and husband; and his shocking end that to this day is still shrouded in mystery.

[@jwfloating-world]

In answer to the question about Bruce and the hulk. The late Sigung Richard Bustillo had Bruce's grip machine. Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk in the TV show) could not squeeze the same weight as Bruce did. Lou said, "I can pick up the weights, but I can't grip them." So was Bruce stronger than The Hulk. Yes!

[@craigbosko2229]

He was stronger than the hulk as far as squeezing the grip machine but I really doubt that over all he, Bruce Lee couldn't beat the hulk in arm wrestling.Dont get me wrong, Bruce Lee was EXTREMELY STRONG AND FASTER THAN LIGHTING.

[@GlennA-c2v]

Fascinating story....love it.

[@Quantum3691]

With some exceptions, removing any part of your body is bound to cause health problems down the line. Every single body part serves its purpose.

[@Dad_Brad]

Once again, amazing. The truth of Bruce Lee’s life is more fascinating than the fiction maintained by his surviving widow’s estate.

[@NDoraku]

Yes, but it seems the estate has still too much influence. A recent doc named Be Water proves it. Polly was executive producer but the main producer Nguen watered down very much since the widow and daughter are in it. The younger brother too but he was never a supporter of the walt disney fairy tale of the estate.

[@johndoyle1810]

It appeared to me that Bruce lee was perfect in motion able to achieve unbelievable skill level.During my teens i was obsessed by nunchucks and karate hence my scars on my head and broken body,but enough about me.in film he was magical in reality he was human.

[@kbreeze6969]

Fascinating insights into the cultural icon.

[@garycrisp429]

Fascinating story, very sad he wasn't advised not to have his sweat glands removed. A very inspirational man of discipline into fitness and a great human being under heaven whom continues to spiritually inspire.

[@aaaricuny]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TrueProphit]

Bruce started martial arts at 13, he joined Ip at 16 but before even 13 he was a street fighter!

[@NDoraku]

Not exactly true, here you can get an exact timeline: 1) He came first in contact with martial arts at the age of 7 or 8, his dad teached him the fundamentals of Tai Chi. Even Polly confirmed this multiple times. But Lee thought it was a style for older people. 2) Then he learned fundamentals of Hung Gar from a friend of his father. 3) According to his sister Phoebe, he learned at the age of 10 some basics in Choy Li Fut by the father of a classmate. 4) He took fencing lessons at the age of 11-14. I did send Polly an e-mail showing Lee as a fencer and he replied he never saw it before. Lee was fascinated by the footwork of fencing and used much of it later on. PS: I know fencing is not a real martial art much more a combat sport, but since he adopted the footwork he took something from it for the rest of his life. 5) Accodring to Phoebe, he and their cousin went to different Kung Fu schools and fight the students there, and the lost many fights. Lee felt at that time (around age 12-15) he needed something else, a better technique and be more focused. 6) He met William Cheung in September´56 at the age of 15, and invited him to his 16th birthday party on Nov. 27 that year. Shortly after he began with Wing Chun. 7) He learned some basics in Boxing at the age of 17 by brother Edwards, who was a teacher in his school but also the trainer of the school Boxing team. He trained Lee for his boxing match with 2 times school tournament winner Gary Elms. The source for all of this is Matt Polly, John Little, and James DeMile. DeMile confirmed when he met Lee in the summer/fall of 1959, Lee knew Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Hung Gar, Praying Mantis and Choy Li Fut.

[@danielosullivan2256]

Reading now ..awesome read .

[@hongfu1104]

Best description of Bruce Lee story

[@bearsbantertalkshow1497]

Awesome read

[@thomashenderson9004]

A lesson in Humility, it's ultimate goal for Caution ⚠️ Precautions & Respect

[@NYCSamlifeabroad]

He actually started Wu Style Tai chi with his father before he did Wing Chun.

[@chrisbarkerguitar]

Fascinating talk, thanks for that!

[@vincentvin4345]

getting this book for my birthday-nice video

[@aaaricuny]

Happy birthday!

[@itsgleneaton4883]

At the present time Hollywood has been going down in flames as Bruce Lee keeps getting bigger and bigger. Why because people want to grow and that’s what Bruce is all about while Hollywood keeps catering for the mindless and soulless . Well souls are rising so people are looking forward inspiration and not just killing time.

[@NYCSamlifeabroad]

Jackie Chan’s made US movies before Rush hour , Jackie Chan was in Cannonball Run 1981 , also he starred in The Big Brawl 1980 ,The Protector 1985 .

[@johnlee5423]

Mathew says Bruce's grandmother was British then assumes she was English, not necessarily so. According to Tommy Carruthers Bruce's grandmother surname was Fulton, a Scottish name.

[@djoneforever]

Bruce Lee Forever The Immortal Dragon

[@thomashenderson9004]

Which is which?? The James Tan who is The THEE Boss? Or the James Tan , son of the Boss? They both played in Bruce's next movie 🎥 Fist of Fury

[@samuelbenitez4200]

Wow Bruce part Jewish that is so kool