R.I.P. Jim Kelly

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Martial artist, actor and athletic instructor Jim Kelly passed of cancer on Saturday at his home in San Diego, California. Kelly became famous from his role in Bruce Lee’s 1973 movie Enter The Dragon. Kelly’s presence broke barriers for African-Americans in martial arts films and it was something he had in common with Bruce Lee because they both experienced racism in the movie industry. His popularity from Lee’s film lead to him starring in Black Belt Jones and Three The Hard Way. He made a total of 12 films and later became a professional tennis player on the senior circuit. In recent years he was a fixture at Comic Con signing autographs for fans and giving interviews. Kelly’s screen status as one of the few athletes to work with Bruce Lee also made him an influence on hip-hop. Early hip-hoppers saw Kelly in Times Square movie houses and the imagery, storylines and awe-inspiring moves of his films became gave inspiration to several artists and most famously for The Wu-Tang Clan.