Bruce Lee was a Hong Kong-American martial artist and actor. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that is sometimes credited with paving the way for the combat sport mixed martial arts (MMA). Lee is considered by some commentators and martial artists to be the most influential martial artist of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century, who bridged the gap between East and West. He is credited with promoting Hong Kong action cinema and helping to change the way Chinese people were presented in American films.
Lee in 1973
Bruce Lee as a baby with his parents, Grace Ho and Lee Hoi-chuen
Lee and Ip Man in 1958
A publicity photo of Williams and Lee for The Green Hornet in 1966
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage.
United States Marine practicing martial arts, 2008
Strikes: punching and kicking techniques displayed at the Banteay Srei (967 A.D.) in Cambodia.
Grappling: bas-relief of grappling techniques at Prambanan (9th century) in Indonesia.
Detail of the wrestling fresco in tomb 15 at Beni Hasan