Key facts
- California has officially designated May 17 as Bruce Lee Day.
- Bruce Lee is the first Chinese American in California history to have an annual namesake day.
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law designating the day.
- The date marks Lee's return to San Francisco in 1959.
- Annual commemorative activities are anticipated.
Martial arts icon Bruce Lee, born in San Francisco, will be the first Chinese American in California history to have an annual namesake day. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Tuesday officially designating May 17 as Bruce Lee Day. The date marks Lee's return to San Francisco in 1959 after spending his childhood in Hong Kong.
Shannon Lee, CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation and Bruce Lee's daughter, stated that the honor is a testament to her father's enduring legacy as a bridge between cultures. She noted his profound reach, from inspiring young people with his philosophy to providing representation on screen and influencing athletes with his teachings on discipline and inner strength.
Assemblymember Matt Haney described Lee as the epitome of California's best, emphasizing his role in offering positive representation to Asian Americans at a time when they were often absent or stereotyped in media. The foundation and various Asian American organizations hope to see annual celebrations with voluntary activities such as cultural exhibits, public events, and classroom lessons.
Born in 1940 to Chinese parents, Lee was a child actor in Hong Kong and began learning kung fu. He moved back to the U.S. in 1959, enrolling at the University of Washington in Seattle two years later. He later dropped out to focus on practicing and teaching martial arts. In the 1960s, Lee worked in Hollywood, notably as Kato in "The Green Hornet," but faced challenges with studios wanting him to play stereotypes and paying him less than white actors. He then returned to Hong Kong, becoming a major star in martial arts films like "The Big Boss" and "Fist of Fury." Lee died in 1973 at the age of 32 due to an allergic reaction to pain medication. His name and likeness remain popular, with fans gathering on his birthday and his TV series concept inspiring the HBO Max show "Warrior."