ASCII Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco in 1940 while his father was touring with a Chinese opera company, and then taken back to Hong Kong as a baby. During his youth he become a child star but as he grew up got into a lot of trouble with fighting local street gangs. It was then advised that he be sent back to America by a family friend in the police force, as otherwise he would either end up in prison or wind up dead.

With just 100 dollars to his name given to him by his father, he was packed off by ship. He never used the $100 dollars, but instead made money on the trip by teaching the Cha Cha (he was also a Hong Kong Cha Cha dancing champion.)

By the time Bruce Lee became arguably the most famous Martial Artist and Asian actor to have ever lived when Enter the Dragon was released, he had already passed in controversial circumstances on July 20th 1973. In death he became one of the greatest and most recognizable iconic actors of the 20th century, and what's more, he still hadn't spent that 100 dollars.

This piece is taken from the unfinished 'Game of Death', from the Pagoda fight scenes that were filmed in 1972 before production for Enter the Dragon had begun. In these, he's wearing what became an iconic yellow and black tracksuit, that then found its way into the movie Kill Bill.

Bruce revolutionised Martial Arts and is today widely regarded as the world's first Mixed Martial Artist.

Bruce Lee – November 27th 1940 - July 20th 1973