05/28/2026
Formless. Shapeless.
You’ve heard the words, but what about the story that precedes them?
Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco in 1940. He was raised in Hong Kong, and as a teenager he trained under Chinese martial arts pioneer Ip Man. It took Lee time to arrive at the knowledge he would go on to share: He struggled with street fights, and was sent by his family back to the U.S.
He moved to Seattle, started teaching martial arts, and eventually established an academy. He moved south to California, opening another school in Oakland, and eventually moving further down the coast.
In 1964 at the Long Beach Karate Tournament, Lee gave a demonstration of his Jeet Kune Do teachings, the branch of martial arts he pioneered to move away from the sport’s history of rigidity. Hollywood hairdresser Jay Sebring was in attendance, and his introductions led Lee to his first Hollywood role: The Green Hornet (1966).
From there, the journey you know began. Private mentorship + training of legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Steve McQueen in Hollywood, and a return to Hong Kong followed by his leading roles.
He’s most remembered by words that reflect his path: “Be like water.”
