James W. DeMile (June 6, 1938 – August 15, 2021[1]) was an American martial artist, psychologist[2] and author. He was among the first group of students of Bruce Lee,[3][4][5] whom he met in 1959, as they both attended Edison Technical School.[6] In 1963, DeMile appeared in Lee's only book, The Philosophical Art of Self Defense. He was an inductee in the AMAA Who's Who in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame.[7][8][9]
| James DeMile | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 6th 1938 San Francisco |
| Died | August 15, 2021 (aged 83) |
| Style | Wing Chun Do Gung-Fu Boxing |
| Teacher(s) | Bruce Lee |
Early life
editDeMile was of mixed race ancestry. He reportedly experienced a difficult childhood in an orphanage, with a history of teenage gang fights and petty crimes.[10]
Training with Bruce Lee
editIn 1959, a year after arriving in America, Bruce Lee decided to share his martial arts knowledge. What started as informal sparring sessions between friends turned into a three-school business that cemented Bruce's pioneering approach to the art of hand-in-hand fighting.[9][6]
Lee attracted DeMile into his first group of students from a public display of his talents when he attended Edison Technical School in Seattle. Looking for a volunteer in the audience, the 18/19-year-old Lee discovered DeMile, 20/21, a former Air Force heavyweight boxing champ. Bruce noticed DeMile's athletic build and called him on stage. DeMile thought it would be easy to stop Lee because his opponent was only 5'7" tall and weighed no more than 140 pounds, but Lee soon beat him. Impressed, DeMile turned to Lee after the demo to ask if he could learn from him.[10][9][6]
These public demonstrations attracted a small following. The group practiced outside Ruby Chow's restaurant where Lee waited tables. After a long shift taking orders and serving customers DeMile introduced Lee to one of the three men he would later certify as an instructor, 38-year-old Taky Kimura.[9][6]
In the book Disciples of the Dragon, DeMile stated that they were all dummies for Lee's training. One of the reasons Lee modified his Wing Chun techniques and created Jeet Kune Do, was because the westerners were bigger and stronger than he was and once they would learn the basics of Wing Chun, they could become a real threat to him.[4][6]
Martial arts achievements
editJames DeMile was the creator of Wing Chun Do[11] a modified version of Wing Chun. Virgin Australia Airlines Airlines contracted DeMile to create a program to train its in-flight cabin and ground crew staff with the tactics to disarm and immobilize a threatening passenger or terrorist. DeMile has trained United States Secret Service operatives, FBI agents, Federal marshals and police officers[12] specializing in riots.[3]
Bibliography
editFilmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | The Last Adventure | N/A | The Last Adventure at IMDb |
| 1993 | Bruce Lee: The Curse of the Dragon | Himself | The Curse of the Dragon at IMDb |
References
edit- ^ Shevket, Seyfi (August 18, 2021). "Bruce Lee's 1 Inch Power Punch Friend James DeMile dies: A Personal Tribute". World of Martial Arts Television. Borehamwood, England: August Productions Ltd. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Ho, Eugene (October 1973). "Hypnotism In Self-Defense". Black Belt. Vol. 11, no. 10. Los Angeles, California: Rainbow Publications. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Next Evolution Martial Arts Training Course Developed By James DeMile". virginaustralia.com. Virgin Australia Airlines. April 3, 2002. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b Bax, Paul (2008). Disciples of the Dragon: Reflections from the Students of Bruce Lee. Outskirts Pr. ISBN 978-1432722234.
- ^ DeMile, James (February 2004). "Bruce Lee's First Generation". Black Belt (Interview). Interviewed by Paul J. Bax. Richmond, Virginia: Active Interest Media. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Paul Bax (2004). Bruce Lee's First Generation. Black Belt Magazine. p. 99.
- ^ Glover, Jesse R. (1976). Bruce Lee Between Win Chun and Jeet Kune Do. Unspecified vendor. ISBN 0-9602328-0-X.
- Russo, Charles (2016). Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America. U of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0803290518.
- ^ Thomas, Bruce (1994). Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit : a Biography. Frog Books. ISBN 978-1-883319-25-0.
- ^ a b c d "Bruce Lee's School of Hard Knocks". Newsweek. No. Newsweek special edition. Newsweek Digital. November 15, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Russo, Charles (2016). Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America (reprint ed.). U of Nebraska Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0803290518.
- ^ Wong, Michael (March 1981). "Wing Chun Do and the Legacy of Bruce Lee". Black Belt. Vol. 19, no. 3. Burbank, California: Rainbow Publications. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Watson, Emmett (March 14, 1993). "Former Gang Member Teaches Self-Defense To Police". The Seattle Times. Seattle, Washington. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ DeMile, James (1977). Tao of Wing Chun Do, Bruce Lee's Chi Sao. Self published. ISBN 0918642035.
- ^ DeMile, James (1988). Tao of Wing Chun Do: Mind and Body in Harmony. Self published. ISBN 978-0918642011.
- ^ DeMile, James (1989). Bruce Lee's 1 and 3 Inch Power Punch. Self published. ISBN 0918642027.