Bruce Lee wasn’t born an icon. First, he was a baby, born in San Francisco and then a kid in Hong Kong who followed his father into acting. 

And it wasn’t a straight line from child star to groundbreaking Hollywood action star who broke stereotypes about Asian Americans.

Lee’s adult life in America started when he moved to Seattle, still a teenager –  where he studied at the University of Washington, washed dishes at a restaurant, and eventually opened his own gung fu schools. He also met his wife, Linda, once a martial arts student.

His five years in Seattle were formative for Lee both in terms of learning about America, but also about himself and honing his cross-cultural philosophy. 

That’s the subject of a new play at Seattle Children’s Theater called Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story, it runs through March 22nd. 

Guest:

Shannon Lee, founder and chair of the Bruce Lee Foundation and author of Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

Relevant Links:

Seattle Children's Theater page

Bruce Lee Foundation website

Seattle Times: Seattle Children’s Theatre Bruce Lee play fights on after Kennedy Center canceling

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.