Martial Artist Jim Kelly Dies
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jim Kelly , who parlayed his martial arts skills into a successful but brief career in action movies, has died. He was 67 Actor Jim Kelly, who played a glib American martial artist in “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee, has died. Marilyn Dishman, Kelly’s ex-wife, said he died Saturday of cancer at his home in San Diego. Sporting an Afro hairstyle and sideburns, Kelly made a splash with his one-liners and fight scenes in the 1973 martial arts classic. His later films included “Three the Hard Way,” ‘’Black Belt Jones” and “Black Samurai.” During a 2010 interview with salon.com, Kelly said he started studying martial arts in 1964 in Kentucky and later moved to California where he earned a black belt in karate. He said he set his sights on becoming an actor after winning karate tournaments. He also played college football. This 1973 photo released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows John Saxon as Roper, left, and Jim Kelly as Williams in a scene from "Ent...