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Seattle salutes Bruce Lee on 35th anniversary of death
Brad Wong, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Published: Monday, July 21, 2008
SEATTLE -- Ho Ho Seafood Restaurant at might look like an ordinary International District business.

Few might know that one of the world's fastest martial artists -- the sinewy, U.S.-born Bruce Lee -- once used the basement as his first training studio.

Now, on the 35th anniversary of his death, his family wants to honor his physical prowess, love of philosophy and noted acting career with a multimillion-dollar museum in the Seattle area.

Drawings for the free-standing building and remembering his legacy were part of a three-day celebration during the weekend at the Seattle Art Museum.

"His happiest times were from his time spent in Seattle," daughter Shannon Lee said. "It makes sense to have the museum there [in Seattle]. ... The core idea behind it is the notion of taking action."

The weekend celebration included a showing of Enter the Dragon and an exhibit of about 35 items, such as movie posters, from his acting career. Yesterday morning, his family and supporters held a public graveside memorial at Lake View Cemetery.

Lee died July 20, 1973, at 32. Enter the Dragon was released that year.

Linda Lee Cadwell, his widow, wants the proposed museum to include more than just items from his movies and his 1960s role as Kato, the fighting chauffeur, in the television series The Green Hornet. His family envisions the building housing offices of the Bruce Lee Foundation. They also want to use the museum as a research facility that focuses on how Lee developed his own style of martial arts, as well as his views on combat, life and psychology.

"One of the reasons why he is so relevant today is that people have discovered him layer by layer," Cadwell said. "He led a life of significance and meaning."

Lee was a writer and someone who took eastern and western philosophy seriously. But Cadwell realizes many people admire her husband for his martial arts skills and lightning-fast speed.

The building could cost tens of millions of dollars and will require much fundraising, Shannon Lee said.

The items on display this weekend included publicly unseen photos from Enter the Dragon and promotional items, such as badges and flip books, said Perry Lee, no relation, who helped organize a 2003 exhibit on Bruce Lee in Seattle.

Seattle resident Jesse Glover and Woodinville resident Taky Kimura joined Lee's other early students during panel discussions.

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