The History Channel recently featured the documentary “How Bruce Lee Changed the World”, paying homage to filmmaker and martial artist extraordinaire.  The documentary’s focus was on how Bruce, despite having only made only a few films in Hollywood, continues to have a significant impact on popular culture.  Interviewees included the likes of actor/musician LL Cool J, film director Brett Ratner, comedianne Margaret Cho, body builder Flex Wheeler, and musician/composer RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.  What was evident in the documentary, and what is most striking about Bruce Lee’s influence on the world was how his philosophy, his astonishing skill as a martial artist, and incredible expertise behind the camera left an indelible mark on people worldwide.

Bruce Lee’s life philosophy stressed the importance of knowledge of self.  His mantra was simple “be water”.  The importance of incorporating what is useful and disregarding that which is dispensable, or ineffective, was of particular significance in his philosophy.  Part of what is so incredible about these teachings is their simplicity.  They seem very basic, and yet are so powerful--anyone can adopt them, a child or a grown adult.  Lee’s thinking was universal, and his depth, dedication, charm and larger-than-life spirit, cemented its place in pop culture, and reached across all color lines.

A pioneer in his own right, Lee’s development of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) or Way of the Intercepting Fist brought something fresh and exciting to martial arts.  The documentary cited the premise for his fighting style as the basis for urban art forms including hip hop dancing by B-Boys and B-Girls and Free Running.  His principles of being simple, direct, and non-classical are evident in both.  Both styles of artistic interpretation through body movements have been brought to life by diverse groups of people from all over the world who continue to implement his teachings today.  Lee’s symmetrical physique is also cited as the foundation for the way in which body builders train and develop their muscles.  Flex Wheeler cites Lee as a pioneer in his incorporation of weight training for martial arts, which has become a standard practice today.

Bruce Lee’s skills didn’t stop at being a premier martial arts master and philosopher.  His beliefs and mastery of JKD served him well both in front of and behind the camera.  The documentary exemplified the ways in which Lee was an adept choreographer behind the scenes and a talented filmmaker.  His ability to manipulate the way in which the camera captured moves was groundbreaking. 

The documentary chronicled Lee’s struggle to be acknowledged by the Hollywood establishment.  It highlights an instance where Lee was mistaken for a driver on the set of the TV series Green Hornet.  Dressed in a Kato costume, Lee was approached as though he was a chaffeur by the show’s producers.   When they were made aware that he wasn’t a driver, but was actually the co-star of the series, they brushed it off.  Lee was later asked about the incident, and his feelings about being stereotyped.  He was said to reply “if I let that affect me I wouldn’t be Bruce Lee.”

Lee was most certainly a front-runner in breaking down the barrier and opening up the film industry to other Asian-Americans.  Jackie Chan, not only worked with Lee, but to this day still considers him “the best”. Margaret Cho talked about Lee’s influence in terms of breaking into the entertainment industry and bringing her brand of comedy to Hollywood.  More significantly, Lee’s influence crossed the color lines.  The documentary also features The RZA who comments on how Lee has influenced his way of life, his art, and the foundation of his rap group “The Wu-Tang Clan”.  Bret Ratner talks about how Lee’s movies were a big influence on his work as a director, and how he has paid homage to them in his own work.

Lee’s legacy is most certainly obvious from his teachings, development of JKD, as well as the film and televison work he left for us to embrace and enjoy.  His untimely demise only leaves us to wonder what more this incredible artist could have accomplished were he to have lived well past his 32 years.  Regardless of what could have been, we celebrate Bruce Lee for what he was a martial arts master and Hollywood trailblazer.