On the 50th anniversary of Bruce Lee‘s sudden death, actor Stephen Au Kam-tong fondly recalls the impact the martial arts icon had on his life. The legendary Chinese-American actor and martial artist, who passed away on July 20, 1973, at the young age of 32, continues to inspire and fascinate Au, who views Lee as his childhood hero.
In a video call from Vancouver, Canada, Au reminisces about the morning when he first learned of Lee’s passing. His elder sister woke him up to share the shocking news, an incident that left an indelible mark on Au. To him, Lee was not merely a hero, but a real-life Superman whose unexpected death was difficult to comprehend.
As years passed, Au’s admiration for Lee only deepened. He has collected an array of memorabilia dedicated to Lee from around the globe, and he has written books about his hero. Currently, Au is working on another book to pay tribute to Lee.
On the anniversary of Lee’s death, Au is scheduled to hold two talks about Lee at Vancouver’s Chinatown Storytelling Centre. He also plans to exhibit some of his unique collectibles, including a pair of boxing gloves designed by Lee and unseen footage from the making of Lee’s last film, “Game of Death.”
Au’s fascination with Lee transcends admiration; he sees Lee’s influence in his own journey as a martial artist. Lee’s performance in films inspired Au to learn karate, Muay Thai, kung fu, taekwondo, and jiu-jitsu. Au was particularly intrigued by Lee’s signature style, Jeet Kune Do – a composite of diverse martial arts.
As he prepares to resume filming for the second season of “Warriors Within” in Hong Kong, Au reflects on the swift passage of 50 years since Lee’s death. He marvels at how Lee’s legacy continues to resonate globally even half a century later, demonstrating Lee’s lasting impact as an international icon representing Hong Kong and the Chinese community.
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