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How did Bob Wall die? Martial arts icon, 82, worked with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris

'Bob, I wanna hit you, and I wanna hit your hard,' Bruce Lee told Bob Wall in order to make the action look as real as possible

Bob Wall, a legendary martial artist who collaborated with the late Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, has died at the age of 82. Bob underwent significant training with Chuck and was a 9th degree Tang Soo Do black belt under his guidance. He and Bruce had an actual fight on film in 'Enter the Dragon', which resulted in Bob breaking his ribs. Years later, he acknowledged that the actor said to him, "Bob, I wanna hit you, and I wanna hit your hard,” in order to make the action look as real as possible. 

Bob and Chuck became business partners where he co-starred with Chuck in 14 episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger" and in the action films "Code of Silence" and "Invasion USA." Although, he is best known for co-starring with Bruce Lee in the films "The Way of the Dragon," "Enter the Dragon," and "Game of Death." The two, who were well-versed in each other's fighting styles, went all out in a classic battle sequence in "Enter the Dragon."

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In a statement to TMZ, his family claimed, "Bob was the greatest husband and father. Family was Everything to him. He lived a remarkable life & There is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. His spirit & legacy will live on forever within us. He was our rock."

Bob was also acknowledged in 2017 that during the scenario, which was shot five or six times, he had to fall on genuine glass. In what has become the most famous martial arts film of all time, he played the wicked O'Hara. He did admit, however, that he did not believe director Robert Clouse "didn't respect us" because they were martial artists rather than actors. He was also the co-founder and CEO of Black Belt Inc. and won the US professional Karate Championship in 1970.

Wall said on his website Bob Wall World Black Belt in a 2016 essay about staying motivated that he had met "great people and celebrities," including former presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush, as well as the late Elvis Presley.

Following the announcement, fans and friends of the star took to social media to express their condolences. One of his friend's tweet read: "Today, it’s with a heavy heart I say goodbye to my dear friend, Bob Wall. He gave me my first writing job for World Black Belt & every time I write, he will always be close to my heart! Bob, I will be forever grateful for our friendship & may you Rest In Peace!" Ending with a #BobWall

Another tweet read, "In Memoriam: A farewell to Bob Wall, who played Oharra in "Enter the Dragon." He was the 1st person I ever interviewed for my Bruce Lee bio and the true definition of the phrase "what a character." I'll never forget him shirtless, knocking back whiskeys, and talking blarney."