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Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee

Actor, writer and producer, also director · Died July 20, 1973, aged 32 · San Francisco, California, USA

Bruce Jun Fan Lee (Lee Siu Lung) was born on November 27, 1940 in San Francisco, CA while his parents were on tour with the Chinese Opera. Ultimately raised in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee was a child actor appearing in more than 20 films. At the age of 13, Bruce took up the study of wing chun gung fu under renowned wing chun master, Yip Man. Bruce left Hong Kong at the age of 18, came to the United States and made his way to Seattle, Washington where he worked in the restaurant of a family friend. He soon enrolled in the University of Washington where he pursued a degree in philosophy. Bruce began to teach gung fu in Seattle and soon opened his first school, the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. Two more schools followed in Oakland and Los Angeles. Concurrently Bruce married his wife, Linda and had his two children, Brandon and Shannon. In the mid sixties, Bruce was discovered while doing an exhibition at the Long Beach Internationals and a role as Kato in the tv series The Green Hornet soon followed. During this time, Bruce was also developing his own martial art, which he ultimately named Jeet Kune Do (translated: the way of the intercepting fist). Bruce's art was steeped in a philosophical foundation and did not follow long held martial traditions. Instead it had at its core the ideas of simplicity, directness and personal freedom. After The Green Hornet series was canceled, Bruce encountered resistance while working in Hollywood and so headed to Hong Kong to pursue a film career. In Hong Kong he made 3 films, which consecutively broke all box office records and showcased martial arts in an entirely new way. Hollywood took notice and soon Bruce was making the first Hollywood / Hong Kong coproduction with a film called Enter the Dragon. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee died in 1973 before this film was released. This film catapulted him to international fame. Today Bruce Lee’s legacy of self expression, equality, and pioneering innovation continues to inspire people all around the world.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 27, 1940
Died
July 20, 1973 (aged 32)
From
San Francisco, California, USA
Works as
Actor, writer and producer, also director
Titles
15 on MovieCove · 45 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Up 8% in 30 days

What are Bruce Lee's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Society.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
42%
Society
21%
Self
15%
Survival
10%
Ideas
8%
Bonds
3%
Revenge5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame4 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 3 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 4 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 8 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
8
Tense
6
Contemplative
5
Warm
4
Melancholic
4
Other
6

How their films linger

Rousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Bruce Lee's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 15 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Bruce Lee's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

45 credits, 15 with a MovieCove page; 38 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Final Game of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Hai Tien / Self (archive footage)

  • Game of Death Redux (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · Fight Choreographer · Producer · Writer · as Hai Tien

  • Epic Rap Battles of History (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Characters

  • Big Stan(2007)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Green Hornet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Kato

  • The Real Bruce Lee 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as (archive footage)

  • The Unbeatable Bruce Lee(2001)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Reflections on 'the Little Dragon' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey(2000)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Self (archival)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Top Fighter(1995)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Death In Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Game of Death II(1980)

    as Lee Chen-chiang (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Fist of Fear, Touch of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Bruce Lee (archive footage)

  • Circle of Iron(1978)

    Story

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Game of Death(1978)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Billy Lo

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Young Bruce Lee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Fury of the Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Kato

  • Slaughter in San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Original Concept

  • The Green Hornet(1974)

    as Kato

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Enter the Dragon(1973)

    Producer · Writer · as Lee

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Fist of Unicorn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Martial Arts Choreographer · Actor

  • The Way of the Dragon(1972)

    Director · Martial Arts Choreographer · Producer · Screenplay · as Tang Lung

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Fist of Fury(1972)

    as Chen Zhen

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Big Boss(1971)

    as Cheng Chiu On

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Longstreet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 4 episodes · as Li Tsung

  • Marlowe(1969)

    Fight Choreographer · as Winslow Wong

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Wrecking Crew(1968)

    Technical Advisor

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Leon Soo

  • The Green Hornet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 26 episodes · as Kato

  • Batman(1966)

    Show 3 episodes · as Kato

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Orphan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Ah Sam

  • Darling Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Thunderstorm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Chow Chung

  • Too Late for Divorce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Kai Cheung

  • The Wise Guys Who Fool Around (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Lee Siu Lung

  • Orphan's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • An Orphan's Tragedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Wong Fuk-kwan (child)

  • We Owe It to Our Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Le fils fainéant

  • In the Face of Demolition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

  • A Myriad Homes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

  • A Mother's Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

  • The Guiding Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as San at 13

  • The Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Kid Cheung

  • The Birth of Mankind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Actor

  • Golden Gate Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Baby (Uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 43 titles from 1941 to 2023; peak year 1972.

Biggest box office

Enter the Dragon (1973)

$117K worldwide

Highest rated

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey (2000)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Enter the Dragon (1973)

Film career

19412023

Peak 1972 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1966Screen debut· The Green Hornet
  • 1969First film· Marlowe
  • 1971First top-billed film· The Big Boss

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting38 of 43: 32 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thDirecting2 of 43: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting6 of 43: 3 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing4 of 43: 0 only producing, 4 with another roleOther crew6 of 43: 2 only other crew, 4 with another role

43 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and other crew overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s12 · acting1960s6 · 5 acting · 2 crew1970s12 · 10 acting · 6 crew1980s2 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s5 · 4 acting · 1 crew2010s2 · 1 acting · 2 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 60% of 10 roles
6974

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Bruce Lee's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 56th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 74th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 15 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 15 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee (2001)

84th percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer, producer

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey (2000)

Midcredits 97th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 50/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 58, detractors 29. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Bruce Lee's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films and profanity lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles63–85 · median 74 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles24–61 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles17–35 · median 25 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles30–57 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles43–60 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Bruce Lee work with?

People who share at least 2 of Bruce Lee's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Raymond Man-Wai Chow shares the most, 8.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles