In 1973, Jim Kelly burst onto the Martial Arts scene in Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon". He went on to become an icon in blacksploitation-kung fu crossover films, most notably starring in Black Belt Jones.
Kelly got his start playing football for the University of Kentucky, but dropped out to pursue martial arts. He won a karate championship in 1971 and opened up his own dojo before attracting attention from Hollywood which would set him on his path to fame.
Several members of the Bullshido staff consider the opening sequence to Black Belt Jones to be the high point in a cultural phenomenon that would later be paid homage to by Quentin Tarantino, Aaron McGruder, and the WuTang Clan. Here it is:
Kelly retired from acting in 1982 but made appearances at conventions and events for several years afterwards. He was 67 years old.