Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Cast Guide – Every Character Who Was Real

Some people in the Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, cast portrayed real people, while others were wildly fictitious. Directed by Rob Cohen, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story chronicles Bruce Lee’s rise to fame. Unfortunately, the focal subject was just getting started when he suddenly passed away in 1973 at age 32, the result of a cerebral edema.

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is based on two different books: Bruce Lee: The Beginning by Robert Crouse and Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew by Linda Lee Caldwell. The film initially released in May 1993, just weeks after Lee’s son, Brandon Lee, tragically died at age 28 while filming The Crow.

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story doesn’t feature a huge mainstream star in the primary role, but does include a strong supporting cast. The film was a box office hit upon releasing, and has generally been well-received by critics over the years. Here’s a guide for the Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story cast and characters.

Jason Scott Lee As Bruce Lee

Jason Scott Lee stars as Bruce Lee, the iconic martial artist who developed into an emerging Hollywood star. Lee is best known for portraying Whitey in Back to the Future Part II, Mowgli in The Jungle Book (1994), and David Kawena in Lilo & Stitch.

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Cast Who Portrayed Real People

Lauren Holly as Linda Lee: Bruce’s wife. Lauren Holly is best known for portraying Maxine Stewart in Picket Fences and Mary in Dumb and Dumber. She recently appeared as Lynn Harper in Designated Survivor.

Ric Young as Bruce Lee’s father: Ric Young has appeared in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Transporter, and American Gangster.

Iain M. Parker as Brandon Lee: Brandon is Bruce’s son, who infamously died while filming The Crow. Iain’s only credit is Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

Michelle Tennant as Shannon Lee: Shannon is Bruce’s daughter. After Dragon, Michelle starred in only The Satan Killer.

Luoyong Wang as Ip Man: Bruce Lee’s mentor. Luoyong Wang portrayed Chinese Sports Announcer in Rollerball.

Sterling Macer Jr. as Jerome Sprout: Jerome is based on Jesse Glover, who was Bruce Lee’s first student. Sterling Macer Jr. has appeared in Lincoln Heights, Bones, and 24.

Forry Smith as Green Hornet: The lead actor in The Green Hornet, modeled after Van Williams. Forry Smith appeared in Beverly Hills Cop III and We Were Soldiers.

Van Williams as The Green Hornet Director: The late Van Williams famously starred as the title character in The Green Hornet, portrayed by Forry Smith in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

Rob Cohen as Enter the Dragon director: Robert Clouse directed Enter the Dragon, and Rob Cohen directed Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. He would later direct The Fast and the Furious and xXx.

Ed Parker Jr. as Ed Parker: Ed was the founder of American Kenpo Karate and introduced Bruce Lee into the International Karate Championship. Ed Parker Jr. is a martial artist like his father and portrayed him in this film.

The Supporting Cast For Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

John Cheung as Johnny Sun: Bruce’s opponent who severely injures him. John Cheung portrayed Toon in Bloodsport and did stunts in Kickboxer.

Robert Wagner as Bill Krieger: The Green Hornet producer. A legendary Hollywood actor, Robert Wagner portrayed Number Two in the Austin Powers franchise and recently appeared as Anthony DiNozzo Sr. in NCIS.

Michael Learned as Vivian Emery: Linda’s mother. Michael Learned received four Golden Globe nominations for portraying Olivia Walton in The Waltons.

Nancy Kwan as Gussie Yang: Nancy Kwan portrayed Dr. Tsu in Wonder Woman (1973) and Suzie Wong in The World of Suzie Wong.

Lim Kay Tong as Philip Tan: Lim Kay Tong has appeared in Shanghai Surprise and The Brokedown Palace.

Sven-Ole Thorsen as The Demon: A vision that haunts Bruce. Sven-Ole Thorsen portrayed Sven in The Running Man and Tigris in Gladiator.

Eric Bruskotter as Joe Henderson: A man who insults Bruce during a workout. Eric Bruskotter has appeared in Crimson Tide and Starship Troopers. He also portrayed Cooter Menkins in Glee.

Lala Sloatman as Sherry Schnell: Linda’s friend. The niece of musician Frank Zappa, Lala Sloatman has appeared in Pump Up the Volume and Joe Versus the Volcano.

Shannon Lee as Party Singer: She sings “California Dreamin.'” The real-life daughter of Bruce Lee, Shannon Lee appeared in Blade and recently executive produced Warrior season 1.

Michael Cudlitz as Tad Overton: One of Bruce’s trainees. In pop culture, Michael Cudlitz is best known for portraying Abraham Ford in The Walking Dead.

Harry Stanback as Benny Sayles: One of Bruce’s trainees. Harry Stanback is best known for stunt work in Friday.

Chao-Li Chi as Elder: Chao-Li Chi portrayed Uncle Chu in Big Trouble in Little China and Chung Ling Soo in The Prestige.

Aki Aleong as Principal Elder: Aki Aleong portrayed Senator Hidoshi in Babylon 5 and Mr. Chiang in V: The Series.

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Q.V. Hough
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Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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