Jackie Chan tried to replace Bruce Lee after he died, and so did Bruce Li – screen name of a Taiwanese actor behind slew of Lee rip-offs
There was only one Bruce Lee, but when he died Hong Kong’s film industry sought a replacement. Jackie Chan didn’t work out, but Ho Chung-tao, who looked the part and acted as ‘Bruce Li’, made several rip-off films
In a special series commemorating the 45th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s death on July 20, 1973, we aim to set the facts straight – as well as exploring some little known trivia – about the life of the martial arts legend.
Bruce Lee was inimitable – but that didn’t stop would-be martial arts stars trying to ride to fame on the coattails of his success. The death of the kung fu superstar in 1973 saw a slew of actors trying to copy Lee’s looks, his martial arts style, and even his name.
Lee was not only a star in Hong Kong, but an international success who had increased the appeal of martial arts films to cinema-goers abroad. The Hong Kong film industry needed a replacement for Lee, and Lo Wei, who had directed Lee in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, tried to groom Jackie Chan in Lee’s image. But Chan’s personality and martial arts style were different to Lee’s, and Chan found success by following his own path.
Smaller film companies simply thought they could make a fast buck by trading on Lee’s popularity. Actors with vague similarities to Lee were employed, with some going under names like “Bruce Li” and “Bruce Le”.
Taiwan’s Ho Chung-tao, who had learned gymnastics at physical education college, and had also studied acting, was perhaps the most successful of the Lee imitators.
