Jim Kelly

Birth Name:

James Milton Kelly

Birth Place:

Paris, Kentucky, United States

Profession

Actor, Stunts

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․"
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
Rose to prominence in his 30s as one of the most sought-after martial artists in Hollywood during the 1970s
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

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