Bruce Lee transformed martial arts movies and changed how the West viewed Asian culture. He developed his own fighting style called Jeet Kune Do to prioritize speed and efficiency. Furthermore, his philosophy on life continues to inspire people decades after his sudden death. Consequently, he remains the most influential martial artist of all time. Explore these fascinating details about the Little Dragon.
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee actually won a major dance competition in Hong Kong in 1958. Surprisingly, the martial arts master took home the crown as the colony’s Cha-Cha Champion.
He was born in San Francisco, not Hong Kong, while his father was on tour with the opera. Thus, he held American citizenship from birth by default.
His movements were so fast that standard film cameras could not capture them clearly. Directors actually asked him to punch slower because he appeared as a blur on the screen.
He possessed incredibly poor eyesight and wore thick glasses when he was not filming. Therefore, he relied heavily on touch and instinct during close-quarters combat.
He famously performed push-ups using only the thumb and index finger of one hand. This display of strength showcased the incredible power he concentrated in his digits.
Bruce Lee attended the University of Washington where he majored in philosophy. His academic studies deeply influenced the famous “be water” concept he later taught students.
Doctors surgically removed his sweat glands from his armpits in 1972. He made this drastic decision because he thought sweat looked bad on camera during movie shoots.
He stood at a height of roughly 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters). However, he often used camera angles and lifts to appear taller than his opponents.
He trained many Hollywood celebrities in martial arts, including Steve McQueen and James Coburn. Additionally, he charged them up to $1,000 per hour (roughly €920) for private lessons.
The famous fight scene with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game of Death highlights a massive size difference. Bruce fought the NBA star who stood over 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters) tall.
He never actually blacked out or lost consciousness during a real street fight. Although he fought frequently as a teenager, he usually ended the conflicts within seconds.
Bruce Lee weighed only about 135 pounds (61 kilograms) at the peak of his physical fitness. Despite his light frame, he could strike with the force of a much heavier man.
The “One Inch Punch” remains his most famous demonstration of explosive power. He could knock a grown man backward several meters with his fist starting just one inch (2.54 centimeters) away.
Strangely, he did not voice his own character in the English version of Enter the Dragon. Another actor dubbed his lines because producers thought Bruce’s voice did not sound tough enough.
Finally, he carried a notebook everywhere to write down his ideas and workout routines. He documented his entire life meticulously, leaving behind thousands of pages of notes.
Keira Knightley dominates the screen with her sharp wit and classic elegance. While fans know her as Elizabeth Swann or Elizabeth Bennet, her journey to stardom involved many unexpected hurdles and hidden talents. For instance, she once played a decoy for a galactic queen because she looked exactly like another famous actress. Furthermore, she can play a musical tune using only her teeth. Prepare to meet the real woman behind the corsets.
Keira Knightley
Her parents accidentally misspelled her name on her birth certificate. They intended to name her “Kiera” after the Russian figure skater Kira Ivanova. However, her mother swapped the letters by mistake, and the unique spelling stayed forever.
Doctors diagnosed Keira Knightley with dyslexia when she was six years old. To motivate her to read, her parents promised her an acting agent if she improved her grades. Consequently, she used the screenplay for Sense and Sensibility as a reading tool to bypass her difficulties.
She played Natalie Portman’s decoy in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Because the two actresses looked so similar in full makeup, even their own mothers struggled to tell them apart on set. Thus, Keira spent much of the film hiding behind a royal mask.
Director Joe Wright initially thought she was too pretty to play Elizabeth Bennet. He worried that her beauty would overshadow the character’s personality. However, once he met her in person, he joked that she was “scruffy” enough to fit the role perfectly.
She suffered a concussion while training for Bend It Like Beckham. Specifically, she and her co-star trained with a professional coach for three months (90 days) before filming began. They performed all their own soccer stunts without using body doubles.
Keira Knightley was only 17 years old when she filmed the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Because she was still a minor, her mother had to accompany her to the set in the Caribbean. Remarkably, she became a global superstar before she even reached legal adulthood.
She can play the song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” on her teeth. She demonstrated this bizarre musical talent during a television interview. To produce the notes, she simply flicks her fingernails against her front teeth.
A large hat in Love Actually actually hides a massive pimple. A few days into filming, the actress developed a significant blemish on her forehead. Therefore, the costume department gave her a blue beret to conceal the skin issue from the camera.
She sued a British newspaper for libel and won. The publication used her photo in an article about eating disorders without her permission. Subsequently, she donated the entire settlement of £3,000 (roughly $3,900) to an eating disorder charity.
Keira Knightley stands 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters) tall. This height makes her a commanding presence in period dramas. For example, she often wears elaborate gowns that weigh over 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) while walking through historical sets.
She experienced a mental breakdown at age 22 due to intense paparazzi pressure. The constant scrutiny led her to take a full year off from acting to focus on her health. Fortunately, she returned to the industry with a new perspective on fame and privacy.
Her husband, James Righton, played keyboards for the indie band Klaxons. They married in a small, private ceremony in the south of France in 2013. In fact, she wore a Chanel dress to the wedding that she had already worn to a previous red-carpet event.
She loves working in period pieces because they are mostly filmed in Europe. She enjoys staying close to her home in London rather than moving to Hollywood permanently. Indeed, she often says that the historical scripts of England suit her personal taste best.
Keira Knightley identifies as an atheist. She once quipped that she wished she had a religion because then she could ask for forgiveness for her mistakes. Nevertheless, she continues to live by a strong personal moral code without traditional faith.
Finally, the British government made her an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018. Prince Charles presented her with the medal at Buckingham Palace. This honor recognized her significant contributions to drama and her extensive charity work.
Rachel Weisz captivates audiences with her sharp intelligence and natural grace. She started her career as an experimental theater geek in college. Soon, she became a massive Hollywood superstar. Fans loved her as the clumsy librarian in The Mummy franchise. Later, she won an Academy Award for her dramatic work. Interestingly, she keeps her private life with Daniel Craig very secret. Prepare to meet the woman who conquered both the stage and the screen.
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Weisz faced serious trouble at school as a child. Teachers actually expelled her from Benenden School for being disruptive. Consequently, her parents had to find a new school for her immediately.
She co-founded a theater company called “Talking Tongues.” Impressively, the student group won a prestigious award at the Edinburgh Festival. Thus, she showed early promise as a serious creative force.
She performed dangerous stunts in The Mummy without complaining. In one specific scene, real rats crawled all over her body. Naturally, she felt terrified but finished the take anyway.
Secretly, she married Daniel Craig in New York City. Only four guests attended the tiny ceremony in 2011. Therefore, they successfully kept the wedding hidden from the paparazzi.
She holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States. Rachel Weisz officially became an American citizen in 2011. However, she says she still feels very British at heart.
Her father invented a respirator that saved many lives. Specifically, his machine helped patients with their breathing. Therefore, she comes from a family of brilliant Jewish refugees.
She attended the prestigious Cambridge University. There, she studied English literature with great success. Moreover, she acted in many student plays during her time on campus.
She won an Oscar for her role in The Constant Gardener. Critics praised her powerful performance as an activist. Consequently, she cemented her status as a serious dramatic actress.
Rachel Weisz played twin gynecologists in the series Dead Ringers. She acted against herself using complex split screens. Technically, it was one of the most difficult roles of her career.
She turned down a serious movie role for The Mummy. Originally, she could have starred in Richard III. However, she chose the adventure film to try something fun.
She has a son with famous director Darren Aronofsky. They dated for nine years before splitting up. Nevertheless, they remain good friends and co-parent their child effectively.
She started modeling when she was just fourteen years old. Magazines dubbed her an “English Rose” due to her look. However, she preferred acting over simply posing for photos.
Rachel Weisz keeps her Academy Award in the guest bathroom. She thinks it is the only place it fits. Thus, guests get a surprise when they use the facilities.
She starred in a major Marvel movie as a spy. She played Melina Vostokoff in Black Widow. Surprisingly, she did many of her own fight sequences.
Finally, Rachel Weisz loves heavy metal music. She finds the loud genre relaxing after work. It contradicts her elegant and sophisticated public image.
