R.I.P. Jim Kelly
by THE DEADLINE TEAM
Sunday June 30, 2013


The martial arts grandmaster who starred alongside Bruce Lee in the iconic 1973 film Enter the Dragon died yesterday. He was 67. His ex-wife confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

Jim Kelly was an international karate champion with his own school in LA when he was cast in the kung fu classic billed as "the first American-produced martial arts spectacular". His fighting skills and imposing screen presence — a lanky 6-foot-2 topped by a funky Afro — earned Kelly the title role in 1974′s Black Belt Jones.

After that, he appeared in numerous action films through the ’70s. Later he became a professional tennis player, joining the USTA Senior Men’s Circuit and starred alongside LeBron James in a 2004 Nike TV ad.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/jim-kelly-dead-enter-the-dragon/

67 years old is too young to die

James was a great man and I have heard good things about him

He will be missed!

http://i39.tinypic.com/5njdyg.jpg

I had always enjoyed and greatly appreciated his movies when I was a teenager onto when I was in my early 20's. His cool calm style was reflective of the kind of person he was. I wish he had made many more movies in the 70's and early 80's.

The Black Samurai. Black Belt Jones. I used to love his movies. He started at a time when America was starving for Martial Arts, thanks to our favorite Martial Arts master of them all. Bruce Lee. Jim Kelly will be missed. R.I.P. Master Kelly.

:rip: Jim Kelly