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Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

28

Gender

Male

Birthday

1946-05-05

Day of Death

2013-06-29 (67 years old)

Place of Birth

Paris, Kentucky, USA

Also Known As

James Milton Kelly

Jim Kelly

Biography

James Milton "Jim" Kelly (May 5, 1946 – June 29, 2013) was an American athlete, martial artist, and actor best known for his roles in 1970s action and blaxploitation films. Born in Millersburg, Kentucky, Kelly excelled in athletics from a young age, participating in multiple sports before dedicating himself to Okinawan karate. He became a decorated karate champion, winning several prestigious titles in 1971 and opening his own dojo in Los Angeles. His appearance alongside Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon" (1973) launched his acting career, leading to starring roles in films like "Black Belt Jones" (1974) and "Three the Hard Way" (1974). Beyond martial arts and acting, Kelly was also a professional tennis player, achieving a high ranking in senior men's doubles in California. Jim Kelly, who was 6'2" (1.88 m), died on June 29, 2013, in San Diego, California, due to cancer. He is remembered as the first Black martial arts film star, who broke down the color barrier and left a memorable presence on screen.

Known For

Acting

Enter the Dragon

1973

Enter the Dragon

as

Williams

Death Dimension

1978

Death Dimension

as

Lt. Detective J. Ash

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

2019

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

as

Self (archive footage)

Kings of Cult

2015

Kings of Cult

as

(archive footage)

Take a Hard Ride

1975

Take a Hard Ride

as

Kashtok

Three the Hard Way

1974

Three the Hard Way

as

Mister Keyes

Hot Potato

1976

Hot Potato

as

Jones

Black Belt Jones

1974

Black Belt Jones

as

Black Belt Jones

Black Samurai

1976

Black Samurai

as

Robert Sand

Bruce Lee: The Legend

1984

Bruce Lee: The Legend

as

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Golden Needles

1974

Golden Needles

as

Jeff

Stranglehold

1994

Stranglehold

as

Executive #4

Afro Ninja

2009

Afro Ninja

as

Cleavon Washington

Melinda

1972

Melinda

as

Charles Atkins

Top Fighter

1995

Top Fighter

as

Self

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

2004

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

as

Black Belt Jones (archive footage)

Bruce Lee: In His Own Words

1998

Bruce Lee: In His Own Words

as

Self (archive footage)

Ultimatum

1994

Ultimatum

as

Executive

Afros, Macks & Zodiacs

1995

Afros, Macks & Zodiacs

as

(archive footage)

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

2001

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

as

Self (archive footage)

Production

Crew

Directing