Jim Kelly
James Milton "Jim" Kelly (May 5, 1946 – June 29, 2013) was an American athlete, martial artist, and actor best known for his roles in 1970s action and blaxploitation films. Born in Millersburg, Kentucky, Kelly excelled in athletics from a young age, participating in multiple sports before dedicating himself to Okinawan karate. He became a decorated karate champion, winning several prestigious titles in 1971 and opening his own dojo in Los Angeles. His appearance alongside Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon" (1973) launched his acting career, leading to starring roles in films like "Black Belt Jones" (1974) and "Three the Hard Way" (1974). Beyond martial arts and acting, Kelly was also a professional tennis player, achieving a high ranking in senior men's doubles in California. Jim Kelly, who was 6'2" (1.88 m), died on June 29, 2013, in San Diego, California, due to cancer. He is remembered as the first Black martial arts film star, who broke down the color barrier and left a memorable presence on screen.
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament...
Movie page
Bruce Lee: The Legend
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)The Official Golden Harvest tribute to the Master of the Martial Arts Film, Bruce Lee.
Movie page
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
as Self (archive footage)Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined,...
Movie page
Take a Hard Ride
as KashtokAfter his cattle rancher boss dies, right-hand man Pike is given the job of returning $86,000 to...
Movie page
Black Belt Jones
as Black Belt JonesJones is a secret agent who has gone into semi-retirement, concentrating instead on teaching the...
Movie page
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made
as Black Belt Jones (archive footage)There are some movies that are so bad they're good. And there are some movies that are so bad-...
Movie page
Black Samurai
as Robert SandWhen the daughter of the royal family is held hostage, an agent for "D.R.A.G.O.N." will stop at...
Movie page
Golden Needles
as JeffAn ancient Asian statue with the power to grant health and long life via secret acupuncture...
Movie page
Three the Hard Way
as Mister KeyesAfter his wife is kidnapped by a group of white supremacists, a record producer teams up with a...
Movie page
Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee
as SelfDeath by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee exposes the truth behind Lee's death and...
Movie page
BaadAsssss Cinema
as SelfWith archive film clips and interviews, this brief look at a frequently overlooked historical...
Movie page
Hot Potato
as JonesMartial-arts expert tries to rescue an ambassador's daughter who was kidnapped in Thailand.
Movie page
Death Dimension
as Lt. Detective J. AshThe Pig has a plan to eradicate some people with a freeze bomb that instantly freezes people to...
Movie page
The Tattoo Connection
as LucasWhen a diamond is stolen in Hong Kong, the company insuring the diamond sends a former CIA agent...
Movie page
Mr. No Legs
as uncreditedA double amputee known as Mr. No Legs oversees a drug syndicate while cavorting around in his...
Movie page
One Down, Two to Go
as ChuckA pair of tough cops go after the mob who jinxed the martial arts tournament and injured their...
Movie page
Top Fighter
as SelfWelcome to the world of the martial arts. A voyage for the times of the martial arts cinema,...
Movie page
Bruce Lee: In His Own Words
as Self (archive footage)A collection of old interviews with Bruce Lee show us his beliefs, thoughts on fighting and what...
Movie page
Stranglehold
as Executive #4Deep inside the nation's top chemical weapons facility, a brilliant terrorist takes a...
Movie page
Afro Ninja
as uncreditedThis homage to martial arts legend Jim Kelly is based on a hugely successful YouTube video....
Movie page
Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon
as SelfPromotional film on the making of 'Enter the Dragon.'
Movie page
Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered and Shafted
as SelfWritten, directed, and produced by David Walker, MACKED, HAMMERED, SLAUGHTERED, & SHAFTED is an...
Movie page
Kings of Cult
as (archive footage)Feature Length sit down with Charles Band and Roger Corman.
Movie page
Ultimatum
as ExecutiveDina Bonnevie played a Filipina working with a US-based chemical company which sent a team to...
Movie page
Melinda
as Charles AtkinsA slick, smooth-talking, womanizing young black DJ falls hard for an enigmatic woman he's just...
Movie page
Highway to Heaven
as ReporterA probationary angel is sent back to Earth to team up with an ex-cop and help people.
TV Show page