Earlier this week, a TV series called The Legend of Bruce Lee hit the air on China Central Television. It has been 35 years since Bruce Lee's death, but fans all over the world are still commemorating this martial artist, and his kung fu performance still influences many contemporary drama works and actors. Let's follow our reporter Chen Zhe to learn more about the timeless super star, Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee [Photo source: channel4.com]

This is Bruce Lee introducing Jeet Kune Do, a branch of martial arts he created, in one of his early works, Long Street.
Bruce Lee is a name that commands respect and admiration from all over the world. The diminutive man, who stands 1.73 meters tall and weighs less than 65 kilograms, is considered by many as the greatest martial artist of the 20th century. His dynamic onscreen style and stunts impressed fans from all walks of life, and he became one of the most enduring screen icons in the history of motion pictures.

Bruce Lee, whose Chinese name was Lee Junfan, was born in San Francisco in 1940, the year of Dragon according to China's zodiac calendar. Maybe this was why he adopted the name of "Xiaolong", which means little dragon in Chinese. Lee was brought up in Hong Kong. Through his father, who was a famous Cantonese Opera star, Bruce Lee was introduced to films at a young age and appeared in many black-and-white films as a child.

Having started practicing martial arts when he was seven, Bruce won quite a few competitions in his early years. He was longing to use what he learned in real life, and he usually fought with others in the street. But according to his brother Robert Lee, he didn't mean to cause trouble at that time.

"Actually he wasn't really a trouble maker. What he was trying to do was to cause a little commotion or interaction between two people, so he could really practice his martial arts."

However, some people misunderstood the young boy's intentions, and considered him a dangerous kid. Therefore, Bruce was sent to the United States to study at the age of 19. Instead of choosing popular subjects, Bruce Lee majored in philosophy at University of Washington. He adopted his philosophical ideas in his martial arts, and this was clearly shown in his later works.

"Be formless... shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, and it can crash. Be water, my friend..."

Bruce Lee continued practicing martial arts while teaching others in the US. He researched many arts and learned from what he found was useful. His son Brandon Lee recalls how he developed Jeet Kune Do.

"I have his book at home with all of his underlining and his notes which were fascinating to see from what sources he drew. I remember he always used to say that you wan to try to absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, and add what is essentially your own."

In his short life, Bruce Lee took his art to millions of people. Many arts practitioners and actors including Hollywood stars James Coburn and Roman Polanski were his students. Most of them also followed his philosophy of martial arts.

"To me, ultimately martial art means honestly expressing yourself. Now it is very difficult to do. It is easy for me to show you some really fancy movements. But to express oneself honestly, not lie to oneself, that is the type of thing you have to train yourself into it."

In the 1964 Long Beach International Karate Championships, Bruce Lee performed Chinese Kung Fu, surprising everyone at the venue. And later, he continued to perform Kung Fu at various occasions. His skills caught the attention of film producers and he made his first appearance in the film Marlowe.

Later in 1971, Bruce Lee was invited to play a supporting role in the TV series Long Street. However, he only got minor roles because it was thought a Chinese man playing the lead might not be accepted by the American public.
Unhappy with his supporting roles in the US, Lee returned to Hong Kong, seeking better opportunities. The Big Boss, made in 1971, was a great success at the box office and catapulted him to stardom. The two films that followed - Fist of Fury and Way of the Dragon - were even more successful.

Lee also worked as the writer, director, star and choreographer of the film Way of the Dragon. George Lazenby went to Hong Kong to cooperate with Lee, and was impressed with Lee's work ethics.

"He was truly a professional actor, as much as he was a professional martial artist. He was always striving for excellence in front of the camera. He was very demanding on directors, producers, and screenwriters to give their best to make sure that we were actually getting the best possible product."

Bruce Lee soon became a world famous star and the term "Kung Fu" was widely known by people all over the world as a representative of Chinese martial arts. However, Lee didn't enjoy being called a superstar.

"The word superstar really turns me off, because the word star is an illusion. It's something what the public calls you, you should look upon oneself as an actor. Yes, I have been very successful, but I don't look upon myself as a star."

Whether he admitted it or not, Bruce Lee is indeed a superstar who shines to this day. However, his life was always unpredictable. At the peak of his career, Lee mysteriously died due to hypersensitivity to a certain medicine in 1973.
Although he lived a mere 32 years, and made only four films, Bruce Lee led an extremely brilliant life and left behind a sparkling legacy. Countless films and TV series were made about him across the world. Millions of people are still inspired by his striving spirit and fascinating art, and his trademark fighting style is imitated by many today. Bruce Lee has demonstrated the truth through his legendary life - even if you are a talent, you have to work hard and strive for the best.