I think it’s clear Bruce would be number one, because without him there probably wouldn’t be a list to make. While Lee was trained in Wing Chun, he later created his own martial arts style Jeet Kune Do, as he thought traditional styles relied too much on routine and fixed patterns. It was Jeet Kune Do which Lee would produce on the big screen and change the way Eastern culture is perceived and ultimately the way movies are made today. The Green Hornet TV series is what would start Bruce’s career and once they witnessed his skill, movies were sure to follow. The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon and Enter the Dragon were the only movies Lee would finish before his sudden and tragic death. Some footage from an uncompleted project called Game of Death can also be seen. Although having a limited career due to the unexpected passing, Lee’s influence is unprecedented and he will without a doubt always remain the number one martial arts star in history.
2. Jet Li
Li is a master of the Chinese martial art Wushu. During his childhood he competed in many full contact tournaments winning numerous gold medals in the process. He was also coach of the national team. Li was a star in China with films like the Once Upon a Time in China series and Fist of Legend but it was Lethal Weapon 4 which would give Li his breakthrough into stardom in the West. Since then he has had hit after hit including Romeo Must Die, The One, Cradle 2 the Grave, Kiss of the Dragon, Hero, Unleashed, Fearless, The Forbidden Kingdom and The Expendables 1 and 2. Great second placing when you see who is number one.
3. Jackie Chan
Most people wouldn’t know, but Chan has not received extensive training or mastered any form of martial art. He has trained in various arts and incorporates them with his acrobatic skill but doesn’t have a defining style. Jackie has appeared in over 100 films. Some of them being The Legend of the Drunken Master, Police Story 1 and 2, Rumble in the Bronx, Rush Hour 1, 2 and 3, Shanghai Noon, Shanghai Knights, The Tuxedo, The Medallion, The Forbiddon Kingdom and a remake of the classic Karate Kid just to name a few. Although holding no belts like some others on the list, Jackie is a true pioneer of the martial arts film genre.
4. Donnie Yen
Yen has studied various styles of martial arts such as Kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, Tai Chi, Wushu and Wing Chun, he has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, black belt in Judo and is a 6th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Flash Point and Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen are some of his leading roles. Yen has also had supporting roles in well known titles such as Shanghai Knights, Hero and Blade 2. He is best known for his roles playing Ip Man in the movie of the same title and its sequel and his display in these have given him this spot.
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