This is a Chinese name ; the family name is Lee . Bruce Lee Lee in the film The Big Boss Background information Chinese name 李 小 龍 ( traditional ) Chinese name 李 小 龙 ( simplified ) Pinyin Lǐ Xiǎolóng ( Mandarin ) Jyutping Lei5 Siu2 Lung4 ( Cantonese ) Born Lee Jun-fan 李 振 藩 ( Traditional ) 李 振 藩 ( Simplified ) Lǐ Zhènfān ( Mandarin ) Lei Zan Faan ( Cantonese ) November 27, 1940 Chinatown, San Francisco , California , U.S. Died July 20, 1973 (aged 32) Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong Resting place Lake View Cemetery , Seattle, U.S. Residence Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong [1] Origin Kowloon , Hong Kong [2] Alma mater University of Washington Occupation Martial artist philosopher actor director screenwriter producer Years active 1941–1973 Nationality Hong Kong [3] United States Spouse(s) Linda Emery ( m. 1964) Children Brandon Lee (1965–1993) Shannon Lee (born 1969) Parents Lee Hoi-chuen (1901–1965) Grace Ho (1907–1996) Siblings Robert L