“Got My A** Kicked by a Wooden Dummy”: Bruce Lee’s Way of Life Enabled Robert Downey Jr. to Overcome a Life-Threatening Habit

Published 12/20/2022, 9:00 AM EST

Follow Us

via Imago

It’s been 50 years since the great martial artist Bruce Lee left the world. In his 32 glorious years, he greatly impacted the world of martial arts and the Hollywood entertainment industry. However, the legend may not be with us, but his legacy and his famous ways are still macadamizing the way for many. Similarly, the Marvel king, Robert Downey Jr., once got inspired by Lee’s bequest and gave up a life-threatening habit.

The Iron-man once appeared in an interview, where he opened up about his past addictions to substances, and credited his sobriety journey to one of Lee’s martial art prompts.

Robert Downey Jr. credits his Sobriety state to Bruce Lee

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In a 2020 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, RDJ profoundly chatted about various in and outs of his personal and professional fronts. From his years of serving in prison to making it big in Hollywood, the 57-year-old opened up about everything. As per the report, Robert credited his abstinence from substance abuse to the Little Dragon’s martial art technique, Wing Chun Kung Fu.

The Iron-man stated, “I got my a** kicked by a wooden dummy for about three years, and then I finally understood the principle of ‘Don’t fight force with force”. To fight his drug addiction, RDJ then joined the Wing Chun academy in Los Angeles to gain control over his instincts to consume illegal substances. 

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Read More: “Water Taught Him, How to Find Balance”: Bruce Lee’s Daughter, Who Still Runs His Legacy and Estate, Shared a Heartfelt Message on Father’s 80th Birth Anniversary in 2020

half the time if I would be in a critical artistic situation I would just say — because Wing Chun problems are life problems, life problems are Wing Chun problems “, added the actor. As per Robert’s revelations, Wing Chun immensely helped him to salvage his composure and sobriety.

RDJ is a black belt in Wing Chun

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Little Dragon’s Wing Chun didn’t only help Iron-man to achieve a state of temperance, but it also piqued his interest in martial arts. Hence, after regaining his composure in 2003, RDJ kept training in Wing Chun. Since then, he is been practicing Wing Chun to achieve prowess in Lee’s Kung Fu. Interestingly, around five years ago, the Marvel King received his black belt in martial arts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Because of his Kung Fu prowess, Robert performs all the stunts in his movies by himself. Clearly, Little Phoenix changed Robert Downey Jr.’s life in the best way possible.

Watch this story: Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Built Compared to Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Purva Jain

511Articles

One take at a time

Purva Jain is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Mody University of Science and Technology. Purva is an avid reader and author of 3 books that are published in national and international marketplaces.
Show More>

Edited by:

Simar Singh Wadhwa