Jim Kelly (martial artist)

Jim Kelly
Kelly in Black Samurai, 1977.
Born
James Milton Kelly

(1946-05-05)May 5, 1946
DiedJune 29, 2013(2013-06-29) (aged 67)
EducationBourbon County High School
University of Louisville
Occupations
  • Martial artist
  • actor
  • athlete
  • athletic instructor
Years active1972–2013
Spouses
Marilyn Dishman
(m. 1967; div. 1968)
Marcia Bentley
(m. 1980⁠–⁠2013)
Partner(s)Rosalind Miles
(1973–1976)

James Milton Kelly (May 5, 1946 – June 29, 2013) was an American athlete, martial artist, and actor. After winning several karate championships, Kelly rose to fame in the early 1970s appearing in various action films within the martial arts and blaxploitation genres. Kelly played opposite Bruce Lee in 1973's Enter the Dragon, and had lead roles in 1974's Black Belt Jones as the title character and Three the Hard Way as Mister Keyes.[2]

  1. ^ Yardley, William (July 1, 2013), "Jim Kelly, Star of Martial Arts Movies, Dies at 67", The New York Times, retrieved August 16, 2015
  2. ^ Ryfle, Steve (January 10, 2010). "DVD set is devoted to 1970s martial arts star Jim Kelly". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 31, 2010.