Bruce Lee’s portrayal of Kato in the 1966-1967 television series The Green Hornet was a pivotal moment in his career and for martial arts in American media. The film was Lee’s first major adult role in the United States and introduced his unique martial arts style to a mainstream American audience. While the show starred Van Williams as the Green Hornet (Britt Reid), Lee’s energetic and groundbreaking performance as Kato, the Green Hornet's valet, masked driver, and crime-fighting partner, often stole the spotlight. The show was so popular in Hong Kong that it was known as The Kato Show.
Lee refused to follow the standard American fisticuff fight choreography. He insisted on using his authentic martial arts skills, which was a key factor in the character’s popularity and the show’s distinction. He effectively brought high-tech martial arts to American television. His speed was so legendary that the show’s film crew had trouble capturing his movements at a normal frame rate. Bruce Lee was reportedly asked to slow down his punches for the cameras because, at regular speed, his movements appeared as a blur.
On one occasion, during a planned crossover episode with the Batman TV series, Lee refused to participate in a fight scene that depicted Asian-style martial arts being defeated. He walked off the set in protest, as the original script had the Green Hornet and Kato being beaten by Batman and Robin. He reportedly insisted that his character would not be defeated.
His time as Kato is credited with helping to popularize martial arts in the United States in the 1960s, paving the way for his later feature films like Enter the Dragon. The success and attention he gained from The Green Hornet ultimately led to his starring roles in Hong Kong feature films, which cemented his status as a global pop culture icon.
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