|
|
|
|
|
GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
WHAT HAPPENED TO JASON SCOTT LEE?
e's played an Inuit Eskimo (Map of the Human Heart), a Polynesian prince (Rapa Nui) and practically every Asiatic ethnicity in between, including the ultimate icon of his own (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story). Five have been bona fide romantic leads -- a major achievement for an Asian American actor. What has made Jason Scott Lee's roles so memorable for many is their animal physicality.
Sweat glistening over rippling muscles, Lee has battled, raged and made hot love -- not exactly the images Hollywood often links with Asian men. Like a true hero, he has saved studios big bucks in wardrobe costs and spared millions of females the rigors of imagining the physique attached to those smoldering eyes and full lips.
So what happened to him?
After Jungle Book (1994) and the cinematically beautiful, financially ugly Rapa Nui (1994), Lee sleepwalked through several forgettable movies. The last most of us saw him, he was Aladdin in the 1999 Hallmark miniseries Arabian Nights -- unless you were in London the following year and caught the stage production of The King and I.
Few Hollywood careers have risen to such a sustained crescendo, then faded so quickly.
Lee was born in Los Angeles on November 19, 1966 to a Chinese-Hawaiian father and a Chinese mother. He was two when his family moved to Hawaii. An undistinguished record at Pearl City High left him few options. A year after graduation Lee enrolled at Fullerton Community College. Before long he turned to acting and landed a bit part in Cheech Marin's Born in East LA. A credible portrayal of a tortured young Inuit led to an audition for The Last of the Mohicans. Too Asian to play an Indian, decided the director. So he suggested Lee for the lead in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993). The young actor's success in capturing the icon's moves and moods brought international celebrity, making him a latter-day reincarnation of Bruce Lee to the under-40 set.
It was a key that opened many doors, but they all seemed to lead to the great outdoors. Having been typecast as Primal Man, Lee couldn't seem to get near a role calling for street clothes. Meanwhile, he now spends a lot of time indulging his passion for growing tropical plants. He's even considering a career as an herbalist.
Hollywood careers built in loincloths having seen their heyday when Johnny Weissmuller played Tarzan, could Lee's physical beauty and animal magnetism have sent him down a dead end? That's one theory. What's yours?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
CONTACT US
|
ADVERTISING INFO
© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.
|
|
|
|
WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:00:52 PM)
Well, I have seen Jason on "The Hunger", and it was a far cry from any animal loin cloths I've ever seen.....but it does not matter what Jason is or isn't wearing. He is a highly under rated actor, and he possibly needs a new agent. He has range we have yet to see. He needs one huge major role to get his name out there again. I'd see anything Jason was in, and how I would have given my left eye tooth to be in London.....I wish for him the role of a lifetime. I think he deserves it, to show everyone his capabilities. And enough loin cloths already...we all know he can do that....., now let's see the real Jason Scott Lee! Wake up Hollywood!!!!!Sincerely,
Jennifer-Lee T.
Montreal, Canada
Jen aka Pho Gà
jtiltin@hotmail.com
Tuesday, December 11, 2001 at 12:29:47 (PST)
Jason Scott Lee is so darn hot and I hope that very very soon he is in a big movie just so I can see him more. However I respect his decisions if he wants to stay at home or do whatever he wants. I think he's had enough success to keep him satisfied, but of course I would LOVE to see something new w/him.
(Who is by the way NOT scary looking; he is very very very beautiful.)
Amy
Friday, December 07, 2001 at 13:47:48 (PST)
If his name was Jason Scott Leibowitz changed to Jason Scott Lancaster, he'd get an Oscar by now.
Confident ABC
Wednesday, December 05, 2001 at 14:14:23 (PST)
I am a big fan of Jason Scott Lee, not only is he a very, very, beautiful man, but he is also an excellent actor. I don't believe his career as faded. One of my theories about Jason not being on the scene is: Not many people know this but since the film "The Dragon", Jason has been very interested in martial arts and since set up his own business, in which he holds classes teaching others and he has a client list which is growing. That maybe one of the reason's why we have not seen him.
Also I know that dueing his stage performance in the King and I, his father became ill, which made him cut his performance short. I have heard that since then his father has passed a way. I believe that this has affected him alot, which maybe another reason we have not seen him, I believe that he could get more roles if he wanted and I don't believe that his physical beauty and animal magnetism has sent him down a dead end.
Jennifer a Fan
Tuesday, December 04, 2001 at 16:14:37 (PST)
Jason Scott Lee has played magnificent roles throughout his film making career. Especially Dragon. I think he has had his time in the light and now just wants 2 chill.
K
Sunday, December 02, 2001 at 10:46:14 (PST)
can u imagine someone else playing the role of Bruce Lee in the Dragon? JSL is simply incredible and unique. so we shouldn't worry about his future, cos he's good and he'll be fine.
a FAN
annie@gagarina.zabrze.net.pl
Saturday, December 01, 2001 at 13:10:15 (PST)
It seems to me that JSL wanted to do Indie/Art Films rather than mainstream action genre. Some actors like to go that road, but it leads to some unremarkable roles or movies which only critics and Indie-buffs see. JSL has recieved high critical acclaim for roles such as Rapa Nui, and that's no small achievement.
Still, given the type of roles he has played which are "good" for the AA Male, you would think his sense of duty to the AA community at large would compel him to do more of them. However, I guess as an American, he wants to pursue his own individual goals without regard for the AA community.
A Guy
Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at 07:41:02 (PST)
Hollywood and the viewing public are very finicky and react to actors in very unpredictable ways. I mean, this is an industry that allows Reba McIntyre to have her own sitcom, for God's sake!
A lot of intelligent, talented actors do well and then are never heard from again. It's the nature of the beast. If Jason Scott Lee has any brains, he is probably working on some other life projects and not wasting his time wondering, "What happened?"
Gal who prefers real life to fantasy
Saturday, November 17, 2001 at 23:34:18 (PST)
>>This delicious warrior intimidated the Hollywood image all the white men action heroes and that's why his talent has been stifled... <<
Oh please... spare us your lame paranoia/fntasies. There could be a dozen significant reasons why he isn't around anymore... your choice is very telling.
EL
Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 01:29:25 (PST)
I think he's scary looking. But then again, I prefer aristocratic looking guys who look good in suits. Mr. Lee is not that. He looks well, for lack of a better term, like a
Karen
Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 16:02:45 (PDT)
Jason Scott Lee= the most underrated actor.
His role in Dragon: the bruce lee story was award winning, yet the recognition he received was quite feeble. For those of you who think i am asian so therefore bias, im not, i am BF, and i definately think it has something to do with race.
Chantelle
Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 19:42:09 (PDT)
I recall during his interview right after "The Dragon," he had some serious calls casting him as a main action guy. But he didn't want to be pigeon-holed as a action guy carrying assault weapon. Instead, he went to more meaningful roles in Map of Human Heart and Rapa Nui. Even though many roles do not come easily, we should praise him for not "cheapening" himself by taking any roles that come by. After all, that's what true artist do.
Yo
Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 17:32:18 (PDT)
I don't really know much about him (besides his being HOT!) but maybe you should ask JSL if you want a little insight. There could be a lot of different reasons why he is in a dry spell, whether perminent of not. All I know is that, if he's looking to become an herbalist, then my career as a botanist will soon be WELL WORTH THE STRESS! I wouldn't mind being in a steamy jungle searching for plants if he's there. Well,...back to the theory- It is conceivable that his acting career could be hurt by his "natural" roles, but I think he would be able to recover because it doesn't seem like that strong of a lable for him.
Iris
Friday, October 19, 2001 at 15:15:13 (PDT)
I've never seen an interview with him. I mean some people in show biz want to retire after working only a few years.
Maybe Jason is one of those.
jet li fan
Friday, October 19, 2001 at 11:25:44 (PDT)
This delicious warrior intimidated the Hollywood image all the white men action heroes and that's why his talent has been stifled...
Me =)
Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 22:53:20 (PDT)
So Jason Scott Lee can't seem to land a role now cos he's got a six-pack for abs? Yeah right. He had a good run of movies and i wouldn't be complaining if i were him and he's not the only actor to be pidgeon-holed. There's Jim Carey the wacky comic, Clint Eastwood -dirty coppa, Meg ryan -romantic type, Arnie Scwhartnega -alla vista baby kaboom. Where are they now? So..if you're good at a particular role it is inevitable that you'll be typed-cast.
ray
ehy@start.com.au
Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 18:02:26 (PDT)
NEWEST COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|