Sunday Read: New Bruce Lee bio reveals new details on his death

Bruce Lee's legend continues past his death.

By Louis Chan
ASAM NEWS

FAMOUS IN LIFE, more famous in death.

That in a nutshell was the life of Bruce Lee-the subject of a new biography released today from Simon & Schuster entitled Bruce Lee: A Life by Matthew Polly.

Forty-five years after Lee’s death and the release of his classic hit, Enter the Dragon, the circumstances behind the actor’s demise at just the age of 32 remains a mystery in the eyes of many fans.

It thus should not be a surprise that the  most titillating part of the book surrounds the attempted coverup of details of Lee’s death, his cannabis use, and his alleged affair with the  woman he was with when he died- actress Betty Ting Pei. It would be inaccurate, however, to describe Bruce Lee: A Life as a tell all book.

From the story of his parents, a wealthy Eurasian mother and a father who came from poverty, to his troubled youth and rise to stardom, Polly stitches a fascinating account of the most charismatic martial artist ever.

“If he had lived, I think his career would have followed the path of Clint Eastwood,” said Polly to AsAmNews. “Bruce wanted to be a bigger star than Steve McQueen, but he modeled his career on Clint Eastwood’s. Like Clint, I think Bruce would have continued acting in movies in different genres (not just kung fu) for another decade or two. But as he got older, I think he would have moved behind the camera as a director and producer. For Bruce, being in control of his art was more important than the fame associated with being an actor.”

Polly said he worked 10 years on this book, interviewing more than 100 family members, friends and business associates about Lee’s life and career.

Among those he said he interviewed was Lee’s wife, Linda Lee, daughter Shannon Lee and sister Phoebe Lee. Linda recalls the time she first set eyes on Lee, how she kept their relationship from her mother and some of the economic hard times the couple faced earlier in his career.

Neither Shannon or Linda discuss Lee’s alleged affairs although Linda crossed paths with one of those woman, Betty Ting Pei, at least twice. They even went to the premier of Enter the Dragon together.

Interestingly neither Linda or Shannon wrote a positive critique of the book for the book’s jacket or forward.

“I have not heard from Shannon or Linda how the feel about the book. I hope they like it and feel that I have honored his legacy,” said Polly.

AsAmNews reached out to both Linda and Shannon through the Bruce Lee Foundation, but has not heard back. The two have dedicated much of their life to carrying on Bruce’s legacy through their work in the Foundation.

Betty Ting Pei also gave an interview to Polly.

“After all these years of being quiet, I think Betty was ready to tell the truth about her relationship with Bruce. I did three interviews on three separate days—about 12 hours in total—with Betty at the Peninsula Hotel. She was very kind to me—she wouldn’t let me pay for any of the meals! I just let her talk, and I listened,” said Polly.

Lee took on a wide variety of roles during his early acting days as a child actor in Hong Kong. He played orphans and street urchins and took on roles in both comedies and tragedies.  Polly says none of his early roles involved action movies.

The book reaffirmed what many of his fans already knew. Bruce Lee was a man who did it his way. He was often awkward at Hollywood parties, especially early in his career. Unlike others, he would not fawn over stars. Eventually, Bruce would attract a crowd around him at these parties even though he was often confused with the bus boy.

“The discrimination he faced was incredible. No one, not even his closest friends like Steve McQueen or James Coburn, believed he
could become a star in Hollywood,” said Polly.  “One of his friends, Stirling Silliphant, told him, “You are Oriental in a White man’s world. It is not going to happen.” And then Bruce proved them all wrong. Bruce had incredible determination and will power. He never gave up, and he worked harder than anyone else. That’s why he succeeded.”

Lee ended his career in his biggest starring role ever, Enter the Dragon, a film which was made for $850,000 but grossed 21 million on its release in 1973.
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