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Bruce Lee
(The Most Influential Martial Artist of All Time)
Birth Year: 1940
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
Died: July 20, 1973
Bruce Lee, a martial artist and actor from Hong Kong and America, is famous for creating Jeet Kune Do, a martial arts philosophy that combines various combat disciplines. He played a crucial role in popularizing martial arts films during the 1970s, connecting Eastern and Western cultures. Lee is credited with introducing Hong Kong action cinema and transforming the representation of Chinese characters in American movies. He established martial arts schools in Seattle and Oakland, where he taught renowned students such as Chuck Norris and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Lee's movies had a significant impact on the global martial arts cinema scene, shaping the industry's trajectory and style.