Jim Kelly Biography

Fast Facts

• Proficient in multiple sports, he became a nationally ranked karate expert after winning the World Middleweight Karate title in 1971 and later California's no․ 2 ranked tennis player in 1975
• Passed away following cancer complications at the age of 67 in June of 2013
• Quote: "I broke down the color barrier․ I was the first black martial artist to become a movie star․"
• Rose to prominence in his 30s as one of the most sought-after martial artists in Hollywood during the 1970s
• Co-starred in multiple martial arts films alongside Bruce Lee, most notably, 1973's "Enter the Dragon" which has since been preserved by the National Film Registry
• After backing away from film roles since the 1980s, he taught tennis lessons near his home in Southern California for several years
• Opened his own dojo in Los Angeles that was frequented by numerous Hollywood celebrities