Jim Kelly

Personal Info

Know For

Acting

Gender

Male

Birthday

1946-05-05 (67 years old)

Deathday

2013-06-29

Place of Birth

Paris, Kentucky, USA

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 ...

Acting

1973

Enter the Dragon

as Williams

1978

Death Dimension

as Lt. Detective J. Ash

2019

2015

Kings of Cult

as (archive footage)

1975

1974

Three the Hard Way

as Mister Keyes

1976

Hot Potato

as Jones

1974

Black Belt Jones

as Black Belt Jones

1976

Black Samurai

as Robert Sand

1984

Bruce Lee: The Legend

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

1974

1994

Stranglehold

as Executive #4

2009

Afro Ninja

as Cleavon Washington

1972

Melinda

as Charles Atkins

1995

2004

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

as Black Belt Jones (archive footage)

1998

Bruce Lee: In His Own Words

as Self (archive footage)

1994

Ultimatum

as Executive

1995

Afros, Macks & Zodiacs

as (archive footage)

2001

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

as Self (archive footage)

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