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Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly

Known For Acting
Birthday May 05, 1946
Died Jun 29, 2013 (67)
Birthplace Paris, Kentucky, USA
Popularity 0.3 (history)
Updated Aug 15, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

James Milton "Jim" Kelly (May 5, 1946 – June 29, 2013) was an American athlete, martial artist, and actor best known for his roles in 1970s action and blaxploitation films. Born in Millersburg, Kentucky, Kelly excelled in athletics from a young age, participating in multiple sports before dedicating ... himself to Okinawan karate. He became a decorated karate champion, winning several prestigious titles in 1971 and opening his own dojo in Los Angeles. His appearance alongside Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon" (1973) launched his acting career, leading to starring roles in films like "Black Belt Jones" (1974) and "Three the Hard Way" (1974). Beyond martial arts and acting, Kelly was also a professional tennis player, achieving a high ranking in senior men's doubles in California. Jim Kelly, who was 6'2" (1.88 m), died on June 29, 2013, in San Diego, California, due to cancer. He is remembered as the first Black martial arts film star, who broke down the color barrier and left a memorable presence on screen.

Known For

Headshots

Profile
Profile
Filmography

Kings of Cult

Kings of Cult

2015

as (archive footage)

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

2004

as Black Belt Jones (archive footage)

Afros, Macks & Zodiacs

Afros, Macks & Zodiacs

1995

as (archive footage)

Stranglehold

Stranglehold

1994

as Executive #4

One Down, Two to Go

One Down, Two to Go

1982

as Chuck

Death Dimension

Death Dimension

1978

as Lt. Detective J. Ash

Hot Potato

Hot Potato

1976

as Jones

Black Samurai

Black Samurai

1976

as Robert Sand

Take a Hard Ride

Take a Hard Ride

1975

as Kashtok

Black Belt Jones

Black Belt Jones

1974

as Black Belt Jones

Three the Hard Way

Three the Hard Way

1974

as Mister Keyes

Golden Needles

Golden Needles

1974

as Jeff

Enter the Dragon

Enter the Dragon

1973

as Williams

Melinda

Melinda

1972

as Charles Atkins

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

Highway to Heaven

as Reporter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1984

No data available

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 10 18 4
2024 7 11 16 4
2024 8 9 29 2
2024 9 4 9 1
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2024 12 4 9 1
2025 1 8 18 3
2025 2 3 6 1
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2025 6 1 1 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 1 7 0

Trending Rank


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2024 6 647 647
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