Bev's Tribute to Brandon Lee

February 1, 1965 - March 31, 1993

Shortly before his death and during his last interview, Brandon's words were strikingly prophetic -- read them and judge for yourself:

"Because we do not know when we will die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well; and yet everything happens only a certain number of times -- and a very small number, really. How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, an afternoon that is so deeply a part of your life that you can't even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four or five times more? Perhaps not even that. How many times will you watch the full moon rise, perhaps twenty? And it all seems so limitless." -- Brandon Lee

As the Crow Flew: The Life and Untimely Death of Brandon Lee

By Bev Walton-Porter

'The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.'

                        - Brandon Lee

If ever one lived a short life worth remembering, it was Brandon Lee. Best known for his performance in the dark, haunting movie The Crow, Lee personified the spirit of intelligent, talented youth which shone bright with the promise of future acting success.

'The Crow,' released in 1994, was the last in a short line of movies Lee acted in. These included 'Legacy of Rage' (1986), 'Kung Fu: The Movie' (1986), 'Laser Mission' (1990), 'Showdown in Little Toyko' (1991) and 'Rapid Fire' (1992).

But his last could not have been a more prophetic movie for Lee to die in while making. 'The Crow' would come to define the true extent of Lee's burgeoning acting ability. Sadly, it would also define the end of his lifeline.

Originally written by James O'Barr as a graphic novel, 'The Crow' is thought to be inspired by O'Barr's loss of his fiancee when she was killed in a car accident involving a drunk driver.

In the movie, Brandon Lee portrayed Eric Draven, who is murdered, along with his fiancee, on Devil's Night. Draven's restless soul is resurrected from death and brought back by a crow so Draven may exact revenge upon his fiancee's killers.

Just as the crow delivers Draven's soul back to the living, so does the 'Net keep the legacy of Brandon Lee alive.

Born from the union of the legendary Bruce Lee and Linda Emery Lee, Brandon Bruce Lee arrived in this world on February 1, 1965 in Oakland, California.

As a little boy, Brandon lived in Hong Kong for eight years. His father started teaching him martial arts as soon as Brandon learned how to walk. Upon his father's death in 1973, Brandon moved to Los Angeles with his mother and sister, Shannon.

In Los Angeles, Lee took acting classes in high school, then honed his skills at the Lee Strasberg Academy. He then attended Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Later he joined Eric Morris's American New Theater company, which eventually relocated to Los Angeles.

He spoke Cantonese and was a big fan of Jackie Chan. Lee pursued an acting career and resumed martial arts training. His big break came in 1986 when he played in the film, 'Kung Fu: The Movie.' Finally, in 1993, Lee began to gain attention while filming 'The Crow.' But fate stepped in and dealt a final, deadly hand.

Apart from his family, perhaps no one feels Lee's loss more deeply than his fiancee, writer Eliza Hutton. Brandon was completely smitten with Eliza and they planned to marry on April 17, 1993, mere weeks after the expected wrap-up of 'The Crow.'

But the wedding would never take place.

Sometime after midnight on March 31, 1993, Lee was mortally wounded by a projectile from a gun which was supposed to be filled with blanks. Despite a five-hour operation, Lee's life couldn't be saved. The next day's autopsy revealed a fragment of a .44 caliber bullet which was lodged against Lee's spine.

Finding Web sites dedicated to Brandon Lee is not a difficult undertaking. If Lee's fans have their way, 'The Crow' and his stunning performance as Eric will live on the Internet in perpetuity. From virtual shrines to meticulous, graphic-peppered timelines of his life, most sites devoted to Lee and his portrayal of 'The Crow' are tasteful, pensive and imbued with a sense of reverence.

It is fitting that the Internet should be the rightful resting place to cultivate the memory of Brandon Lee's life and untimely death. If, indeed, the key to immortality is living a life worth remembering, then how better to honor such a memorable life but by keeping the flame alive through the endless, timeless, nearly-infinite maze of the Web?

In Memoriam: Brandon Lee links:

Brandon Lee Tribute
Mike's Brandon Lee Page
Arwen's Brandon Lee Page
In Memory of Brandon Lee
Avenging Angel -- Brandon Lee

Believe in Angels: Links to 'The Crow'

The Crow: A Boy and his Bird
The Crow Web Zone
Moon Mistress's Crow Site Homepage
Mossi's Crow Page
The Crow Movie Homepage
Dead Souls

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This Brandon Lee Web page and article by: Bev Walton-Porter Article copyright 1998, all rights reserved.