Jerry Poteet
Jerry Poteet (November 29, 1936 – January 15, 2012) was an American martial arts instructor, recognized for his teachings in the art of Jeet Kune Do as an original Bruce Lee student.
Jerry Poteet | |
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Born | November 29, 1936 United States |
Died | January 15, 2012 75) United States | (aged
Style | Jeet Kune Do |
Teacher(s) | Bruce Lee Stan Lee Lawson |
Notable students | Jason Scott Lee[1] Michael Worth |
Biography
Poteet credited his teacher, Bruce Lee, with giving him the tools to survive, "the fight of my life", when he was compelled to undergo a liver transplant in 1995. Until his death, Poteet taught Jeet Kune Do to the next generation of students and instructors. He taught martial arts for over 40 years. Like many young men in the 1960s, Poteet began his martial arts career in Kenpo, and became a brown belt under the Kenpo instructor Ed Parker. Poteet also trained the Dallas Cowboys football team and bodyguards in Jeet Kune Do, and choreograph the fight scenes of several films.
His proudest achievement was that he was chosen as the person best able to train Jason Scott Lee, who would portray his teacher in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. In addition to choreographing Jason Scott Lee's key fight scenes in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Jerry worked with him on Soldier and Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision. Other Poteet’s notable students were Glenn Danzig, Michael Worth and Kevin Sorbo.
The last years of Poteet's life were dedicated to preserving and refining the legacy he received from his instructor, Bruce Lee.
He died on January 15, 2012.[2] Today, Poteet's legacy is being kept alive by protege Sifu Fran Poteet Joseph through the Jerry Poteet Jeet Kune Do Association.[3]
References
- Chase, Donald (1992-10-25). "Re-Enter the Dragon". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
- "Jerry Poteet's passing". Archived from the original on 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2012-10-28. Bruce Lee Foundation - Jerry Poteet's Passing
- Weinraub, Bernard (1993-04-15). "Bruce Lee's Brief Life Being Brought to Screen". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-14.