'Be Water': Bruce Lee earned $450 in 'The Green Hornet' while Van Williams got $2k, fans slam pay disparity
'Be Water' provided some riveting insight into Bruce Lee's life and his breakout role as Kato in 'The Green Hornet' was explained in detail. For those who thought this was the start of Lee's meteoric rise to fame, they were in for a shock when they realized he was the least paid actor who earned $450 while his co-star Van Williams made $2,200 and Lloyd Gough made $1,100. This was a classic example of the sad treatment meted out to non-American actors in the 1960s and the internet took to social media to vent their anger.
"Bruce Lee was getting pennies on the dollar for Green Hornet," a fan wrote. "#BruceLee #30for30 is probably one of the most comprehensive docs on him. Lots of clips I’ve never seen from family n green hornet footage. The parts about living during the 60s civil rights movement, the racism, and model minority myth hitting hard right now. #BeWater," a fan said. "On the Green Hornet, Bruce Lee wasn't even the 4th highest-paid actor on the show. #BeWater," a fan tweeted.
"Bruce Lee only got $450 to be Kato in The Green Hornet," a fan wrote. "Bruce Lee got 400 dollars for The Green Hornet weekly and he made that show become pop culture history. The white lead, Van Williams got $2200. And I already know that disparity of pay due to race still exists today. Despite what some will insist. #BeWater," a fan opined. "That pay discrimination in the green hornet was something! #BruceLee #BeWater," a fan exclaimed.
And if that wasn't enough, Lee basically had no dialogue. "Kato (Bruce Lee) did all of the work in the Green Hornet and only got $450. Basically he was paid like he was an extra even though he was as the star," a fan wrote. "He had no dialogue?!" questioned a fan. "Bruce Lee got the Scottie Pippen treatment in regards to that Green Hornet payroll #BeWater," MMA analyst, Dan Tom opined.
What are your thoughts on Bruce Lee's pay while working on 'The Green Hornet'?
'Be Water' airs on ESPN+ soon after it finishes on ESPN.