Watch a wistful Jackie Chan recall his Enter the Dragon fight with Bruce Lee

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

When silver screen legend Jackie Chan began his storied career, he worked as a stuntman on two of Bruce Lee's most iconic films, FIST OF FURY (1972), in which he played a small part as a Japanese martial arts student, and ENTER THE DRAGON (1973). During his time spent around Lee, Chan became enamored with Bruce's physical prowess, discipline, and ability to speak English. For Chan, as well as many others, Lee was considered a god among men, whose ability to turn his body into a living weapon was seen as something otherworldly and wondrous.

In speaking with South China Morning Press in July of last year, Chan recanted his first meeting with Lee, and how the martial arts superstar treated a lowly Chan and his stuntman brethren with nothing short of kindness and respect.

“At that time, I was just a young guy and he was a really big star,” Chan told CMP at the time, while talking about working on FIST OF FURY. “He would talk with the stuntmen, but not me, as I was just a kid. But suddenly, somehow I got the chance to be on stage with him.”

When it came time for Chan to participate in his scene with Lee, the Drunken Master himself was to be suspended by a wire to be kept from hitting the ground. Unfortunately, the wire was released too quickly and Chan collided with the ground at an alarming rate of speed. Lee quickly ran over to check and see if Chan was okay, and all the RUSH HOUR star could think at the time was, "Wow! He touched me!"

While the story of Lee and Chan's first meeting is well documented, today brings a charming video (courtesy of the official Bruce Lee Instagram account) of Chan talking excitedly about his time with Lee while on the set of ENTER THE DRAGON, a film that involved both fighters going toe-to-toe with one another for the camera:

Isn't Chan just the most adorable person on the planet as he talks about his time with Lee? Do you see the way his eyes are lightning up as he sets the scene? I don't know about you, but I enjoy hearing stories of honest-to-goodness comradery among stars, especially if the tale involves an instance where someone is being lifted up while they're down.

Of course, since that time, Chan has gone on to become a legend in his own right. In the years since their fateful meeting, Chan has starred in a myriad of films, many of which have involved him performing his own death-defying stunts. I don't like to speak for those who've left us far too soon, but I'd like to think that if Lee were alive today that he'd be overjoyed by Chan's success. Both men have certainly left their mark on the world, and will forever be remembered as titans of the industry alongside other masters the likes of Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Stephen Chow, Cheh Chang, Kara Wai, Lieh Lo, Ziyi Zhang and Michelle Yeoh, among several others.