?That Was the First Time I Made US $200?: Jackie Chan Revealed How Martial Arts Master Bruce Lee?s Help Solved His Financial Woes in 1997

Jackie Chan is not an unknown name in the field of entertainment. The martial artist, stuntman, and actor, has been the face of many Hollywood action classics. While working as a stuntman, the actor once had the opportunity to work with the ace of the martial art industry, the late Bruce Lee.?

While Jackie is known for his acrobatic fighting style and slapstick comic timing in cinema, Lee was famous for being the flag bearer of martial arts in Hollywood. Chan once discussed what it was like working with Bruce Lee in an interview published by South China Morning Post in 1997.

Bruce Lee made the stuntman a fortune

Chan started working with Lee on his movie ‘Fist of Fury’ as a stuntman. After an incident with Jackie on the sets, he took a liking to the young stuntman, to an extent, where he would often ask for Jackie even when a stunt wasn?t that complicated, just so that Jackie could earn some extra money.

?Well, when we had finished shooting in the day, he needed some more people to work at night. He looked at the stunt coordinator and said, ?I need Jackie?. I was so happy ? that meant I would get overtime pay until the next morning!? The actor continued, ?That was the first time I made US$200 in one day ? it was actually double pay for me.?

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‘Fist of Fury’ saved Jackie Chan?s career

When Jackie first entered the world of entertainment, he worked mostly as a stunt double. Lee, on the other hand, was an established actor with a solid portfolio with both international and Hollywood movies like The Orphan, The Thunderstorm, The Wrecking Crew, and A Walk in the Spring Rain. His upcoming blockbuster was on the production stage when he met the young Jackie Chan.

?At the time, my career was not doing very well,? said Jackie in his interview. But the young artist knew that he had to find a way to make a living. What followed was an interesting opportunity when a stunt coordinator required a few extra men. Jackie got the chance to work with Lee. “He influenced me a lot, but I knew I could never be him. He was the king of martial arts, and I just admired him. The way he talked, the way he punched, even the way he spoke was impressive,” said the 68-year-old artist.

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Bruce Lee was nothing short of a legend in the eyes of the young martial artist. For a young actor who was trying to make his name in Hollywood, working with a renowned artist like Lee was nothing short of a miracle. When Jackie Chan was questioned about his experience working with him, he said, ?Bruce was great? He was just trying to help me get paid more, and that made me so happy.?

Who is your favorite, Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan? Let us know in the comments.