About the Exhibition

Bruce Lee (1940–1973) left behind a legacy that transcends generations, genres, and cultures. Lee got his start acting in Hong Kong as a child and began martial arts training at age 13. His first US role, as Kato on the 1960s television show The Green Hornet (1966–67), combined his acting and fighting skills. Fame did not immediately follow. After struggling to find work in Hollywood, Lee returned to Hong Kong and went on to achieve international stardom for martial arts films including The Way of the Dragon (Meng long guo jiang, Hong Kong, 1972)—which he wrote, directed, and coproduced—and Enter the Dragon (Hong Kong/USA, 1973). Despite his untimely death at the age of 32, Lee remains one of the most iconic performers of all time.

Significant Movies and Moviemakers: Bruce Lee considered the career of the multi-talented producer, actor, director, and martial artist through his own writings and through key objects from his filmography. Visitors encountered rare materials such as hand-drawn fight-scene choreography for an iconic moment in Enter the Dragon, as well as a more philosophical text written by Lee. Among other objects, the gallery also featured a pair of nunchaku used by Lee as well as a costume from Enter the Dragon next to a fast-paced montage of famous fight scenes.

The first iteration of the Significant Movies and Moviemakers gallery featured a six-gallery experience showcasing Citizen Kane (USA, 1941), Bruce Lee, Oscar Micheaux, Thelma Schoonmaker, Emmanuel Lubezki, and Real Women Have Curves (USA, 2002).