#jim kelly

[theactioneer]

Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly & John Saxon on the set of Enter the Dragon (1973)

[madamshogunassassin]

[forever70s]

Jim Kelly (1976)

[vintagegeekculture]

Believe it or not, both of these posters are for the exact same grindhouse movie under two alternate names, with one poster emphasizing Bond turned international b movie actor George Lazenby that makes it look like a Bond style romp against a super villain weapon, and the other emphasizing the other star, “Black Belt Jones” Jim Kelly, that makes it resemble a karate and martial arts film.

[canmking]

J i m K e l l y

[weirdtvland]

Gloria Hendry & Jim Kelly in Black Belt Jones, 1974 🖤

[citizenscreen]

John Saxon and Jim Kelly on set of ENTER THE DRAGON (1973), directed by Robert Clouse

[buffalobills]

🥹🏈🦬 it's true!

[afrotumble]

[loveboatinsanity]

[zumainthyfuture]

Jim Kelly was a prominent African-American martial artist and actor, best known for his roles in the "blaxploitation" films of the 1970s.

Kelly was born on May 5, 1946, in Paris, Kentucky, and grew up in San Diego, California. He began studying martial arts as a teenager and quickly excelled, earning a black belt in karate. He became a popular tournament fighter in the 1960s and 1970s and won numerous championships.

Kelly's big break in film came in 1973 when he was cast in the lead role in "Enter the Dragon," a martial arts movie starring Bruce Lee. Kelly's performance as Williams, a wisecracking, afro-wearing martial artist, made him an instant icon and helped to popularize the blaxploitation genre.

In the years that followed, Kelly starred in a number of other martial arts and action movies, including "Black Belt Jones," "Three the Hard Way," and "One Down, Two to Go." He also continued to compete in martial arts tournaments and worked as a martial arts instructor.

After retiring from acting in the 1980s, Kelly remained involved in martial arts and was active in promoting the sport and encouraging young people to get involved. He passed away on June 29, 2013, at the age of 67. Jim Kelly's contributions to the martial arts and film industries continue to be celebrated today.

[theactioneer]

Jim Kelly, Enter the Dragon (1973)

[madamshogunassassin]

Gloria Hendry with Jim Kelly - Black Belt Jones (1974)

[rebu72]

Them 70s Cool

[schlock-luster-video]

On October 10, 2015, Enter the Dragon and The Street Fighter were screened as a double-feature on TCM Underground.

[suspiria76]

ENTER THE DRAGON

USA/Hong Kong

1973

Directed by Robert Clouse