Bruce Lee?s Fans Honored the Martial Arts Legend With $100,000 Surprise on His 65th Birth Anniversary in 2005

Earning a great name across the globe, Bruce Lee became the pride of Hong Kong. People in the country worshipped his aura and religiously followed his philosophies on life. However, for a long time after his death, the Hong Kong government was ignorant to pay tribute to the legend. Eventually, Bruce Lee fans took the matter into their hands. Their efforts resulted in something that is standing gloriously at a popular block in the country even today!

An interesting event in Lee?s biography, Bruce Lee: A Life by Mathew Polly revealed how ardent fans of the master paid a heartfelt tribute to his legacy by raising US$100,000. Let?s find out more!

How did Bruce Lee fans pay tribute to him?

People in Hong Kong went into mourning after Bruce Lee?s death on 20 July 1973. However, the Hong Kong government was reluctant to perform anything special for the master for decades. Previously, fans tried converting Lee?s former home in Kowloon Tong, which was operating as a rent-by-the-hour love motel, into a museum. But unfortunately, the efforts did not succeed.?

After failing in several attempts, the frustrated Bruce Lee Fan Club raised US$100,000 to construct a statue of Lee in a ?ready to strike? pose from his film Fist of Fury. The rage of fans pressurized the officials to locate the honorary statue at the Avenue of Stars, a tourist attraction on the city?s harbor front.?

After days of hard work and dedication, artist Cao Chong’en beautifully sculpted a 8.2 ft iconic statue. On the occasion of Lee?s 65th anniversary on 27 November 2005, Robert Lee was invited to unveil the eight-foot bronze statue of his big brother. The event celebrated Lee?s contribution to martial art cinema in his short life and the legacy he has left behind for generations to follow.?

Read More: ?Disgrace and Loss of Face?: Bruce Lee Contradicted His Wife?s Idea to Overcome Their Financial Troubles Once

Indeed, Bruce Lee has impacted people across the globe. Last year, celebrities Joe Rogan and Snoop Dog revealed their admiration for the Sensei.?

Joe Rogan developed MMA interest because of Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee might have left the world but his legacy thrives like no other. MMA fans are die-hard admirers of the master. During an interview with Snoop Dog on one of the episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience, the former MMA player Joe Rogan expressed about Lee,???He?s absolutely the original reason why I got interested in martial arts.? His craze is such that fighters today aspire to imitate his style and fight just like him.

Agreeing with Rogan, guest Snoop Dog also stated that he is a die-hard fan of the master. He revealed that a life-sized statue of Lee is placed in front of his building. It inspires him every day.

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Have you seen the legendary Bruce Lee statue in Hong Kong??