An Iconic Role Once Taught Bruce Lee Why He Couldn?t Rely on Hollywood

After an immense struggle, Bruce Lee got his potentially big break in The Green Hornet (1966). The master played the second male lead, Kato, an assistant to the Green Hornet. The latter was portrayed by actor Van Williams who was the male lead in the show. However, while shooting the episodes of the hit show, Lee experienced a reality check that made him feel that he could not entirely rely on Hollywood to become famous as a hero.

Lee?s biography, Bruce Lee: A Life by Mathew Polly, reveals how Lee was disheartened by the little scope The Green Hornet script had for him. However, Lee did not give up. He tried to establish his own importance in the TV show by making attempts to convince the producer.

What did Bruce Lee do to convince producer William Dozier?

Upon signing for The Green Hornet, Lee had high expectations that his career would take a 360-degree turn. However, as the episodes in the hit TV show proceeded, Lee realized a hard-hitting reality. The master saw that apart from a few episodes, his character Kato was not explored in depth. In most episodes, it was just the Green Hornet doing all the talking. In fact, one of the scenes had everyone from the cast except for Kato. Although Bruce objected, it was overruled by Dozier.

Realizing these aspects, his biography revealed that, ? He couldn?t rely on Hollywood to give him what he wanted even if he politely asked for it.? As a solution, Lee started pitching his own episode ideas to Dozier. Providing a 13 page script to the producer, Lee narrated a plot titled, The Cobra from the East, in which the Green Hornet is sidelined by a deadly poison, leaving Kato alone to take over with his action. However, Dozier was not convinced and did not use Lee?s script ideas.

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Despite Lee?s slightly less coverage in The Green Hornet, he climbed the ladder to fame with the hit TV show. As he became a celebrity in America, he had the right to charge money for appearing at events and other public places to which he was invited. The newly emerged public figure would also wear Kato’s dark suit, chauffeur?s cap, and black mask at certain events.

Lee charged unimaginably for his public appearances

Lee’s biography revealed that he charged $4,000 for an afternoon visit in 1966 which is estimated to be $37,333 in today?s time. However, Lee?s golden money period soon ended after his show was canceled in 1967. Although it was a tough phase for Lee, he eventually got out of it by giving martial art classes to celebrities.

Listening to his last show’s co-producer Charles Fitzsimons, Lee doubled his rates for celebrity martial art classes. Soon Lee was overwhelmed with requests for his lessons, and by 1968, had become a famous instructor?in Hollywood. Lee also carried his business card that read his rates – ?$275 per hour, Ten Session Course: $1,000, Instruction Overseas: $1,000 per week plus expenses.??

Wealthy celebrities like James Coburn, and Steve McQueen took private classes from the master. It became a highly profitable business for Lee, solving his financial troubles to a great extent.

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