Bruce Lee (1940-1973), the founder of Jeet Kune Do, had a revolutionary influence on the world of martial arts during an accomplished life that lasted just 32 years. He was not only a movie star of unparalleled stature and an outstanding martial artist, he also dedicated his life to truthfully expressing his philosophy and maintaining his physical vigour.

In March 2005, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Chinese filmmaking, the Hong Kong Film Awards conferred “the Star of the Century” award on Bruce Lee as the most influential person in the industry over the past 100 years. A two-metre-tall bronze statue of Lee was commissioned to commemorate the honour.

The idea of erecting a statue originated from the Bruce Lee Club, who sought to transform Hong Kong’s collective memory of Lee into that of a valuable cultural icon, and one that could also support local tourism. Depicting Lee in a signature pose chosen by fans from around the world via an online poll, the statue now stands proudly at the Avenue of Stars, a tribute to the tremendous contribution Lee made to the filmmaking industries in Hong Kong and China.

The bronze statue of Lee was crafted by Professor Cao Chong’En, a famous contemporary Chinese sculptor, with Mr. Shannon Ma, an established 3D animator, and Mr. Yuen Tai Yung, a famed Hong Kong film poster artist, offering artistic advice. Internationally acclaimed Sinologist Professor Jao Tsung I contributed his distinguished Chinese calligraphy. The statue was unveiled on 27th November 2005, on what would have been Lee’s 65th birthday.