Life without Bruce and Brandon: Shannon Lee on losing her superstar father and brother

He overcame widespread racism in the entertainment industry to become the first Asian superstar in Hollywood, and he fought hard against on-screen stereotypes, refusing to take on any parts he considered racist.

Frustrated with the lack of good roles in the US, he went to Hong Kong and made The Big Boss, Fist of Fury and The Way of the Dragon, all huge box office hits.

After roles in Legacy of Rage and Showdown in Little Tokyo, Brandon, who had his father’s smouldering good looks and natural gift for martial arts, was on the cusp of stardom when he was accidentally shot and killed by a faulty prop gun, fired by his co-star Michael Massee during filming, in 1993.

But if you’re not going to do that, then I think you have to put laws and better safety measures in place than what exists currently.” Brandon’s death was ruled as negligence and, although no charges were brought, Lee’s mother successfully sued the film-makers for an undisclosed amount.

Photograph: Bruce Lee Family ArchiveLee was too fragile at the time to handle the endless scrutiny about her appearance and the countless rejections that come with being an actor.

Quentin Tarantino was criticised for featuring a fight scene with the martial arts star in his 2019 film Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, in which he portrayed Bruce as a cocky, inept fighter.