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Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
May 5, 1946
Died
June 29, 2013
Place of Birth
Paris, Kentucky, USA
Also Known As
- James Milton Kelly
Jim Kelly
0.7 Popularity
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
7.5
(archive footage)
Kings of Cult
2015
4.7
Cleavon Washington
Afro Ninja
2009
0.0
Self
Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered and Shafted
2004
5.9
Self
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
6.4
Self
Top Fighter
1995
🎬
0.0
(archive footage)
Afros, Macks & Zodiacs
1995
6.0
Executive
Ultimatum
1994
5.8
Executive #4
Stranglehold
1994
8.1
Self
Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee
1993
7.4
Reporter
Highway to Heaven
1984
Credits
Kings of Cult
as (archive footage)
2015
7.5
Afro Ninja
as Cleavon Washington
2009
4.7
Macked, Hammered, Slaughtered and Shafted
as Self
2004
0.0
BaadAsssss Cinema
as Self
2002
5.9
Top Fighter
as Self
1995
6.4
🎬
Afros, Macks & Zodiacs
as (archive footage)
1995
0.0
Ultimatum
as Executive
1994
6.0
Stranglehold
as Executive #4
1994
5.8
Death by Misadventure: The Mysterious Life of Bruce Lee
as Self
1993
8.1
Highway to Heaven
as Reporter
1984
7.4
One Down, Two to Go
as Chuck
1982
4.2
The Tattoo Connection
as Lucas
1978
5.0
Death Dimension
as Lt. Detective J. Ash
1978
4.1
Mr. No Legs
1978
5.8
Black Samurai
as Robert Sand
1976
5.5
Hot Potato
as Jones
1976
3.8
Take a Hard Ride
as Kashtok
1975
5.2
Golden Needles
as Jeff
1974
4.7
Three the Hard Way
as Mister Keyes
1974
6.2
Black Belt Jones
as Black Belt Jones
1974
6.0
Enter the Dragon
as Williams
1973
7.4
Location: Hong Kong with Enter the Dragon
as Self
1973
0.0
Melinda
as Charles Atkins
1972
3.3