Bruce Lee wasn’t born an icon. First, he was a baby, born in San Francisco and then a kid in Hong Kong who followed his father into acting. 

And it wasn’t a straight line from child star to groundbreaking Hollywood action star who broke stereotypes about Asian Americans.

Lee’s adult life in America started when he moved to Seattle, still a teenager –  where he studied at the University of Washington, washed dishes at a restaurant, and eventually opened his own gung fu schools. He also met his wife, Linda, once a martial arts student.

His five years in Seattle were formative for Lee both in terms of learning about America, but also about himself and honing his cross-cultural philosophy. 

That’s the subject of a new play at Seattle Children’s Theater called Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story, it runs through March 22nd. 

Guest:

Shannon Lee, founder and chair of the Bruce Lee Foundation and author of Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

Relevant Links:

Seattle Children's Theater page

Bruce Lee Foundation website

Seattle Times: Seattle Children’s Theatre Bruce Lee play fights on after Kennedy Center canceling 

 

Bruce Lee wasn&rsquo;t born an icon. First, he was a baby, born in San Francisco and then a kid in Hong Kong who followed his father into acting.&nbsp; And it wasn&rsquo;t a straight line from child star to groundbreaking Hollywood action star who broke stereotypes about Asian Americans.
Lee&rsquo;s adult life in America started when he moved to Seattle, still a teenager &ndash;&nbsp; where he studied at the University of Washington, washed dishes at a restaurant, and eventually opened his own gung fu schools. He also met his wife, Linda, once a martial arts student.
His five years in Seattle were formative for Lee both in terms of learning about America, but also about himself and honing his cross-cultural philosophy.&nbsp; That&rsquo;s the subject of a new play at Seattle Children&rsquo;s Theater called <a href="https://www.sct.org/onstage/productions/young-dragon-2026/">Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story, it runs through March 22nd</a>.&nbsp;
Guest:
Shannon Lee, founder and chair of the Bruce Lee Foundation and author of Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee
Relevant Links:
<a href="https://www.sct.org/onstage/productions/young-dragon-2026/">Seattle Children's Theater page</a>
<a href="https://bruceleefoundation.org/">Bruce Lee Foundation website</a>
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/seattle-childrens-theatre-bruce-lee-play-fights-on-after-kennedy-center-canceling/">Seattle Children&rsquo;s Theatre Bruce Lee play fights on after Kennedy Center canceling </a>
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Soundside

Bruce Lee's time in Seattle is the subject of a new play at Seattle Children’s Theater called Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story,  which runs through March 22nd. 