Bruce Lee

Every entry, with its source

At 0

1. Nov 27, 1940

   Born in San Francisco during his parents' opera tour

   His birth certificate name was Lee Jun-fan. The family went back to Hong Kong when he was four months old.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 9

1. c. 1950

   First lead role in a film at nine, alongside his father

   He had been acting since infancy and made about 20 films as a child.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 12

1. c. 1953

   Began learning Wing Chun under Ip Man at 13

   After losing street fights. Some students objected to him because of his part-European ancestry.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 17

1. Mar 1958

   Won the Hong Kong schools boxing championship at 17

   He also won a cha-cha dancing championship that year.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 18

1. Apr 1959

   Sent to America at 18 with $100

   His parents wanted him away from street fighting. He worked as a waiter in Seattle and taught kung fu.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 20

1. Mar 1961

   Enrolled at the University of Washington

   He majored in drama and took philosophy classes. He met his future wife Linda in a class he taught.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 23

1. Aug 2, 1964

   Showed the one-inch punch at the Long Beach championships

   Age 23. A Hollywood hairdresser saw the footage and it led to a TV screen test.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org
2. Aug 17, 1964

   Married Linda Emery

   Their son Brandon was born in 1965 and daughter Shannon in 1969.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 25

1. Sep 1966

   Played Kato in The Green Hornet at 25

   The show lasted one season. In Hong Kong it was known as The Kato Show.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 26

1. c. 1967

   Founded his own fighting philosophy, Jeet Kune Do

   He rejected fixed styles and taught private students including Steve McQueen.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 30

1. Oct 1971

   The Big Boss made him a star across Asia at 30

   He had gone back to Hong Kong after Hollywood gave a role he wanted to a white actor. The film broke local box-office records.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 32

1. Dec 30, 1972

   Wrote, directed and starred in The Way of the Dragon

   Its Colosseum fight with Chuck Norris became a classic. Fist of Fury had come out earlier that year.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org
2. Apr 1973

   Finished filming Enter the Dragon at 32

   The first Hong Kong-Hollywood co-production. It opened in Los Angeles a month after his death.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org
3. Jul 20, 1973

   Died in Hong Kong at 32

   Swelling of the brain. The inquest ruled misadventure, likely a reaction to a painkiller.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org