Jim Kelly Interview 2010 (Part 1): Talks John Saxon, Internet rumors, The Gracies, Bruce Lee
Rest in Peace Mr.Kelly. Thank you for your friendship and for making this interview an unforgettable event to share with your fans from all over the world forever.
Uncut/Unedited/Unrehearsed/Unscripted/Done in one take/ interview with the legendary Jim Kelly (Enter the Dragon, Black Belt Jones) as he touches upon different subjects for the fans.
Jim Kelly is most famous for his role as the ultra smooth talking and cool cat character Williams in Enter the Dragon (Operation Dragon) starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Ahna Capri, Kien Shih, and Bolo Yeung (Yang Sze). His character had some of the most memorable lines in movie making history. He is also a highly regarded Karate expert and Tennis professional.
He later appeared in a successful string of blaxploitation and Martial arts films in the 1970s such as Black Belt Jones, Three the hard way, Tattoo Connection, Golden Needles, Hot Potato, Take a Hard Ride, and Black Samurai. He recently appeared in Afro Ninja and the banned Nike commercial The Chamber of Fear with NBA star LeBron James.
Here in Part 1 some highlights include John Saxon, Rumors from the internet and about kicking Bruce Lee's ass, Training with the Gracies (Rickson, Royce, Royler), and what he honestly thinks of Bruce Lee (The Father of Mixed Martial Arts).
Filmed at the Autograph Nationals in Pasadena, CA in March 2010.
l admire Jim Kelly, he has class.
Man, he seemed so nice. A classy guy.
As a adolescent in he 70's, Jim Kelly was 1 of my & still is a ROLE MODEL. Bro. Kelly, may your TRANSITIONAL JOURNEY BE PEACEFUL & BLESSED. 1 LOVE,
I use to have such a crush on this man. I will always remember your talent and your skills. You and Bruce Lee are two of my heroes. Rest in Peace, Mr. Kelly.
R.I.P. Jim, true legend.
One the most Exciting Martial Artist on the Big Screen! Thanks Jim! RIP.
Who doesn't LOVE JIM KELLY...RIP JIM...I'm sure You & Bruce are together again in Heaven...
"Man, you come straight out of a comic book!"
Believe that's where my dad got that phrase when he got mad at me. Or Jim got it from my dad. Not sure.
As great fan of Enter the dragon and Bruce Lee I still remember Jim Kelly's role in that movie very well, although the length of his role was rather short... Sad to realise that only three years after this interview (in 2010) he died of cancer... A great sportsman has gone to his maker 😊 👌
GREAT MAN WITH INTERGRATY THAT WHICH IS LACKING TODAY IN MANY HOOLYWOOD'S ACTOR. R.I.P. JIM.
What? He passed?
+houmanDMD dehdashti He died in 2013 from cancer.
+Pazzo Italiano thank you. So sad to find out he has passed away..
LOVE THIS GUY A REAL DOWN TO EARTH GUY GOOD GUY SO SAD WILL BE MISSED BY THIS GUY I WISH WE HAD MORE PEOPLE LIKE HIM. JIM KELLY TRULY BE MISSED.
R.I.P Jim Kelly wow what a great humble Human Being. Awesome Gentleman Gone But Never Forgotten. Those stories Jim told about Bruce are really treasures and it's always good to hear Bruce's friends tell stories about him :)
VERY SAD!! HE WAS ONE OF THE GREATS!! ALL OUR DESTINATION IS THE SAME NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE. MAY HE REST IN PEACE!!
~R~I~P~ Jim Kelly...You was simply beautiful....
This guy is a living Legend.....great interview!!!
What a great guy, he was my tennis friend years ago, we had many fun battles on the court and great discussions!!... I know you are in a better place!
Rip Jim Kelly...truly one of my favorite action heroes...god bless
Thanks so much. It was great that he generously agreed to share so many never before discussed thoughts and comments with the fans. It was a privilege and honor to work together with him.
Thank you so much Jim Kelly for your clear words about Bruce Lee. Your words tell us very well about who you´ve been !!! RIP Gran Master !!!
Respect for Jim Kelly, Bruce Lee, and you for this interview!
Thanks bro. Glad you enjoyed it. Everything was about him feeling comfortable and relaxed during filming and that was important to me because I cared how he felt.
Love Jim Kelly in "Enter the Dragon" very humble person for I can see."god bless"
Wow, this interview is just... AWESOME! This is some really awesome stuff here. Great seeing this humble guy speak out about his past and current doings. Wow, loss of words finding this gem.
What a nice guy
rest in peace jim kelly h I loved all your movies.
thanks for posting this, good to see some of the old legends again in 2010!
RIP JIM YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A LEGEND.
Rest in peace Jim Kelly
I met him last year at the supanova and Jim Kelly is a one of a guy that is truly appreciated when he meets his fans and constantly smiling. Wished I met him again
Sad to say I only recently found out Jim passed away. On a bright side, my Instructor new Master Gordon from Okinawate Karate in Eagle CA. I also cross trained with Master Gordon on and off from 1992 thru late 90's. I really like Jim's Character, demeanor and not bragging about things, but being truthful and sincere. reminds me of my self. Thank you for this wonderful interview and video. May Jim rest in eternal happiness and peace.
Big Respect for this amazing man. Rest in Power!
A living legend!
Jim was such a nice guy wish I could had been trained with him.
What an upstanding gentleman...and respect for the art...May you RIP Jim...
suddenly i want to leave your island mr. hand man
"Bull**** Mr. Han Man!!"
Bullshit Mr Han Man!!!
Love it, Mr Handman😂
Man, You come right out of a comic book !!!
RIP Jim Kelly. 100% Class Act, Incredibly intelligent and an extraordinary overall athlete, not just a great martial artist. Beginning of the interview where Jim Kelly says he next saw John Saxon at the Garcie's studio in early 1990's is 100% accurate.
R I P Jim Kelly, love you
RIP Jim Kelly
Thanks for uploading this video. I like Jim Kelly, he's one of my idols.
Love Jim Kelly Thank You, Man of Integrity
I had no idea he was such a good tennis player. What a great athlete and a great guy!
THANK YOU MR. KELLY. I'M HAPPY WITH HOW YOU PICK AND CHOOSE YOUR SCRIPTS AND ROLES. THANK YOU. I'M A FAN OF YOURS AND ALWAYS WILL BE. MUCH LOVE AND MANY BLESSINGS FROM GOD.
Thank you brotha and god bless you RIP
Great interview man.
Classic black man!!!
TRUTH!
@dalhaji Thanks for sharing the info. I plan to ask Jim more on Gordon Doversola more on our follow up interview in the future.
Man,you & Bruce were really somethin' up there on that screen all those years ago!!! R.I.P. Mr.K.
TRUTH
Thanks I appreciate it.
RIGHT ON JIM!!!
Thanks for the upload.
Comes out as a great gentleman. He had such talent that he transitioned between martial arts and tennis! Wow. Looking at this interview and others recently I just think it was a travesty that he didn’t appear on the big screen more often. He has such charm and charisma. Bless him.
@JustThink00 Yes that would be me. Nice to meet you. A good friend introduced me to Jim at the event and we spent some time chatting off camera. I can honesty say that Jim is a down to Earth genuine person. What you see is what you get. I hope to talk to him again soon.
This is a 63 year old martial arts legend!! and he looks younger and in excellent shape. Jim Kelly is such a great person and an incredible martial artists. Thanks a bunch for sharing this video with us!
He had some good action scenes.
Great upload!
Awesome. This is a real pleasure for me to see, interviews with Kelly. Hard to come by. Seems like a nice humble guy, none of the airs of self importance. Always great to see that in people I admired over the years. Gotta get the book. Hey, thanks for sharing with us fans, Kato Films.
Fantastic interview! Subscribed!
Jim Kelly is very, very respectful and a legend. He will be missed.
U good Jim
GOOD MAN!! ONE OF A KIND!!
Great video !
THANKS FOR BEING A REAL STAND-UP BROTHER!! 'RIP'
R I P MASTER JIM KELLY.
A decent human being, and so humble about Bruce and all his stories.
My Favorite, Him and Bruce lee. Rest in Power both of you!!
I MISS THE FRO!!!
Loved him in Enter the Dragon and after seeing this interview I'm a big fan. RIP bro!
Loved jim Kelly's character in enter the dragon
Jim your the best never forgotten
( JIM KELLY ) . WAS , THERE !!!! 🙏HE , [ EXPERECE , EVERYTING )!!!! . AND HAD TIME TO TELL US 👍❤🙏 . R.I.P. ⚘⚘....
mr. kelly is a class act in all sense of the word. shares his knowledge to those that ask, truly humble and generous with both his time and wisdom.
R.I.P. Jim Kelly, another reason to watch some of the films he was in....
Damn I can't believe that brotha is gone...became a martial artist cuz of him & Bruce...changed my life...fo real..
Oh so good to see Jim Kelly looking "so good" a real gentleman ! I always cry when I see that awful scene in Enter The Dragon..Oh and Jim, I`m sure gonna buy that book, can anyone tell me if its out yet? Jim Kelly Grreat!
enjoyed the interview. he was very candid in the interview. he normaly was know (which could just be a myth)for not talking much so kudos for the interview frank.
I am a Jim Kelly fan to the bone.
What a class gentleman Jim is. Old school cool. Rip Jim
R.I.P Jim Kelly. A true gentleman and martial artist.
Jim was part of my first movie theatre experience. 1974 Downtown LA at the Roxie. The Globe, the Tower, Thee Orpheum, The State, The Los Ángeles movie palaces. Way up on the 3rd balcony, smell of weed and popcorn, all day Sundays after church , took the RTD on 235th and Broadway all the way down to 7th & Broadway, Arcade-to Clifton’s walked where Bukowski walked.
Great Jim Kelly!! ^_^
great man
Oouueeeiiiii!!!!....R.I.P. Jim Kelly!
niceee interview
We love Jim Kelly a real pioneer class act
Legend
Nooooo! RIP Mr. Kelly. Hate to hear he passed, dude looked like he was in great shape.
I love Jim Kelly cant wait to see him in action......
Great to see Jim, classy guy.
Good to see Jim Kelly
God Bless Jim! One of the greats!
Jim Kellt forever, for always remembered.
@major731, Thanks and it's great to see you here my friend.
very nice
Jim is Jim Bruce is Bruce, I watched his films and he actually did some Bruce Lee moves and shouts. But that was the movies, Jim has his own style and he's proud of it. Never can you hear this man talked negative about the very people whom he worked with and that makes Jim Kelly the Jim Kelly. RIP man.
I absolutely love Jim Kelly... I have seen ever Black Belt Jones flick....
I think is so awesome jim kelly is a awesome guy and i love the fact that he never forgot about shihan Gordan Doversola and Okinawa-te hes system of fighting i bet jim kellys back hand was amazing fast :) had to say something about Okinawa-te is the art i been training under sensei Richard Tripplet and is just amazing.
he's gonna be at the chiller con in nj this october. can't wait to meet him.
Good interview I gave you a like thumbs up I also did a interview with Jim Kelly From chillertheatre there is 2009 and 2010 part 1 and 2
One cool cat that will be missed. R. I. P.
The man is pure class!!