Jerry Poteet
Encyclopedia
Jerry Poteet is an American martial arts instructor, recognized for his teachings in the art of Jeet Kune Do
as an original Bruce Lee
student. Since his teacher’s premature passing, Jerry has stood firm, refusing to water down the art that had such an enormous impact in his life. In fact, Jerry credits 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. Today, Jerry teaches Jeet Kune Do
to the next generation of students and Instructors, who will keep the flame alive. Sifu Poteet has been teaching martial arts for over 40 years. Like many young men in the ’60s, Jerry began his martial arts career in Kenpo, and became a black belt under renowned Kenpo Instructor Ed Parker. Contrary to popular misconception, Jerry did not meet his famous Jeet Kune Do teacher in Los Angeles, but in Oakland, at James Lee’s house. Later that year, he was fortunate enough to be chosen as the second student admitted to Bruce Lee’s Chinatown School back in LA. The Chinatown school lasted about 3 years and 90% of the classes were conducted by Dan Inosanto. Inosanto was the only student that Bruce Lee certified as a teacher in JKD. Fortunately, after Lee's death, Jerry was able to complete his JKD education and receive an instructor certification from Inosanto. In the years since, Jerry has used his martial arts expertise to train the Dallas Cowboys
football team, executive bodyguard Hollywood celebrities, and choreograph the fight scenes of several motion pictures. But his proudest achievement is the fact that he was chosen as the person best able to train the actor who would portray his teacher, Bruce Lee. Over the years, Jerry has refined a teaching method that, like the art of Jeet Kune Do itself, strips away the inessentials. It was this method he used to train actor Jason Scott Lee for the role in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
". For Sifu Poteet, it was the ultimate way “to give something back to my teacher.”
Some of his notable students are Jason Scott Lee (Dragon The Bruce Lee Story) and Michael Worth
(U.S. SEALS 2). Jerry Poteet worked on choreography for the key fight scenes in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
" with Jason Scott Lee.
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
as an original Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
student. Since his teacher’s premature passing, Jerry has stood firm, refusing to water down the art that had such an enormous impact in his life. In fact, Jerry credits his teacher, Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
, with giving him the tools to survive, “the fight of my life”, when he was compelled to undergo a liver transplant in 1995. Today, Jerry teaches Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
to the next generation of students and Instructors, who will keep the flame alive. Sifu Poteet has been teaching martial arts for over 40 years. Like many young men in the ’60s, Jerry began his martial arts career in Kenpo, and became a black belt under renowned Kenpo Instructor Ed Parker. Contrary to popular misconception, Jerry did not meet his famous Jeet Kune Do teacher in Los Angeles, but in Oakland, at James Lee’s house. Later that year, he was fortunate enough to be chosen as the second student admitted to Bruce Lee’s Chinatown School back in LA. The Chinatown school lasted about 3 years and 90% of the classes were conducted by Dan Inosanto. Inosanto was the only student that Bruce Lee certified as a teacher in JKD. Fortunately, after Lee's death, Jerry was able to complete his JKD education and receive an instructor certification from Inosanto. In the years since, Jerry has used his martial arts expertise to train the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
football team, executive bodyguard Hollywood celebrities, and choreograph the fight scenes of several motion pictures. But his proudest achievement is the fact that he was chosen as the person best able to train the actor who would portray his teacher, Bruce Lee. Over the years, Jerry has refined a teaching method that, like the art of Jeet Kune Do itself, strips away the inessentials. It was this method he used to train actor Jason Scott Lee for the role in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a 1993 American semi fictionalized biographical martial arts action film telling the story of actor and martial arts expert Bruce Lee, starring Jason Scott Lee as Bruce Lee, Lauren Holly and Robert Wagner...
". For Sifu Poteet, it was the ultimate way “to give something back to my teacher.”
Some of his notable students are Jason Scott Lee (Dragon The Bruce Lee Story) and Michael Worth
Michael Worth
Michael Troy Worth is an American actor.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Worth is from German and Native American heritage. At the age of 11, he directed his first film titled The Tire with a super 8mm camera he had spent his allowance on...
(U.S. SEALS 2). Jerry Poteet worked on choreography for the key fight scenes in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a 1993 American semi fictionalized biographical martial arts action film telling the story of actor and martial arts expert Bruce Lee, starring Jason Scott Lee as Bruce Lee, Lauren Holly and Robert Wagner...
" with Jason Scott Lee.