The daughter of legendary Chinese star Bruce Lee, Shannon Lee shared family photos and stuff that revealed many things about her father's life. The Kung Fu star's journal has daily notes, such as a thousand punches on the right and 500 on the left; his wife Linda Lee's birthday, the All American Open Karate Tournament at Madison at Madison Square Garden and the list goes on.
Shannon shared that her father who died in July 1973 at age 32 was a philosopher and writer, who adapted ancient Chinese wisdom and wanted everyone to discover enlightenment. Bruce was not just an entertainer but someone who knew what he was doing.
"He's this ultimate philosopher, but he's packaged as a kung fu action star," Chief Creative Officer Sharon Lee (no relation) told LA Weekly. " What he's saying is, 'Look at my awesome kung fu, and you're close to me now, so let me tell you about Asian philosophy.'"
Shannon founded Bruce Lee Enterprises in 2008 with her mother Linda Lee Cadwell, and chief operating officer Kris Storti. The firm creates coffee mugs, jewelry, T-shirts and keychains; and also adds the famous Chinese actor's words. For instance, a leather bracelet has "Summon the courage and walk on" words on it, while a hoodie has "Be water, my friend."
Bruce Lee Enterprise's "Dragon Rises" comic series stars a hero with a great will, but sans the weapons. It recently ventured on the Bruce Lee podcast which episodes discuss Bruce's sayings.
For example, "The medicine for my suffering I had within me from the beginning" is Shannon's favorite. Shannon and Sharon then converse for 50 minutes about the saying, digging deep self-help techniques for a better mind. In just five weeks and with little promotion, the show has already been downloaded over 224,000 times.
Sharon thinks that today's millennials appreciate long conversations about philosophy. For Shannon, her father was an expression of yin and yang who cannot be too much of a single thing.
The San Francisco-born legend was raised in Hong Kong. He embraced Eastern and Western writings with his book collection having Chinese boxing with the manual of John F. Kennedy's official U.S. Physical Fitness Program.
People were often surprised by Bruce "feminine" side behind his hyper-masculine body. The Chinese legend developed his body to be a weapon yet trained his mind to avoid violence.
Meanwhile, the upcoming film "Birth of the Dragon" which features the brawl between Bruce and Shaolin monk Wong Jack man debuted its poster, Deadline reported. The George Nolfi-directed movie will premiere on Sept. 13 at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Here is Shannon talking about her father Bruce.
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