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Jim KellyAmerican athlete, actor and martial artist
Date of Birth: 05.05.1946
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly, an American athlete, actor, and martial arts master, rose to fame in the early 1970s. One of his most notable roles in cinema was as the character Williams in Robert Clouse's crime action film "Enter the Dragon" in 1973, alongside the legendary Bruce Lee.
Early Life and Sporting Career
James Milton 'Jim' 'the Dragon' Kelly was born in Paris, Kentucky. His athletic career began during his school days, where he excelled in basketball, track and field, and football. He enrolled at the University of Louisville, where he initially played football before transitioning to Shorin-ryu karate, a modern Okinawan martial art. With a growing interest in karate, Kelly also trained under Gordon Doversola, an expert in Okinawan karate, eventually becoming an internationally acclaimed fighter.
Acting Career
After winning the Middleweight Division at the Long Beach International Karate Championships in 1971, James opened his own dojo. One of his students, Calvin Lockhart, whom Kelly trained, went on to star in the action thriller "Melinda" as Frankie J. Parker. It was through his karate studio in Crenshaw, Los Angeles, that one of the producers of "Enter the Dragon," Fred Weintraub, discovered Kelly's exceptional skills and cast him as Williams. The character's intimidating appearance and cool demeanor endeared him to both audiences and filmmakers.
Following "Enter the Dragon," Jim appeared in a series of low-budget martial arts films, primarily aimed at African-American audiences, including "Melinda" and "Black Belt Jones." He signed a contract for three films with Warner Bros., starring in action films such as "Three the Hard Way" with Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, rescuing a diplomat's daughter from Thai jungles in the comedic action film "Hot Potato," and later appearing in low-budget films such as "Tattoo Connection," "Death Dimension," and "Black Samurai."
After his role as Chuck in the 1982 dramatic action film "One Down, Two to Go," Kelly made fewer on-screen appearances. An unreleased scene featuring him in the film "Undercover Brother" was included as bonus material in the DVD edition, and he had a small role in an episode alongside comedian Eddie Griffin. Kelly also pursued a career as a professional tennis player, participating in several USTA tournaments.
Later Years and Legacy
In 2004, Jim Kelly collaborated with NBA star LeBron James, known as "King James," in a Nike commercial parodying Bruce Lee's film "The Game of Death" titled "Chamber of Fear." Kelly resided in Southern California, earning a living by coaching tennis players. The San Diego Comic-Con International in 2009 showcased the enduring popularity of Kelly, with fans revisiting his films.
Until his passing, Jim regarded Bruce Lee as the "greatest master of martial arts of all time." He passed away on June 29, 2013, in his San Diego home due to complications from cancer.
