Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Prologue: Master Lee has legendary status as one of the best acts to perform in Washington Square Park in New York City. Though he bills himself as a Kung-Fu Comic, my first encounter with William came at the 1987 International Juggler’s Association’s Annual Juggling Convention. Inevitably in the evenings at the convention a game of ‘combat’ would start – the juggling equivelent to a smash up derby where jugglers all start with three clubs but attempt to knock each other’s patterns apart while keeping their pattern together. I was particularly impressed with Will’s technique. Saw him again at the Halifax Busker’s Festival in 1988, and many many times since then at festivals and events across Canada. Had a ball watching him at the 2008 PNE as part of the Street Stars Program because his stage presence captivates a crowd in a way that few other performers can.
Stats:
Name: William Lee – “Master Lee”
Birthday: March 30, 1964
Place of Birth: New Mexico
Started Performing/Working in the Industry: 1980 I think…
Discipline: Kung Fu Comic
Websites: www.kungfucomic.com, www.talkingstick.us
Venues Worked: Showtime at the Apollo, Washington Square Park and Sesame Street.
Hot 10 Questions:
- What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? • Ginger, because it tastes Chinese, one of the few Asian deserts that taste good. And, it’s from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
- Name one movie that would make it to your Top 10 all-time great films • Hearts of Darkness: The documentary of the making of Apocolypse Now. Filmed by Coppola’s wife who was divorcing him at the time.
- What was your favorite toy from childhood? • A bicycle, because it was freedom! Wheels, dude!
- Who were your biggest inspirations when you got started? • Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King Jr, Richard Pryor, Johnny Carson, Charlie Barnett, Phillipe Petit, Albert Owens, Butterfly Man, Lee Ross, Chris the Piss, Brian Reid.
- From the world of animation what one character do you most identify with or see yourself in? • Silver Surfer
- Name something that scares you. • Death and indifference.
- Apart from the entertainment industry, name one other job you’ve had. • Professional poker player.
- What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d like to try? • Being a woman.
- What’s your least favourite thing about being a performer? • Performing the same show over and over and over because you’re getting paid “Good Money.” There’s what something costs and what it costs your soul.
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? • “I don’t exist. I’m sorry about these idiots the distorted my words.”
The Nugget:
Pick one nugget of wisdom you’ve picked up from your career in Show Business to share with the World.
“Do what you love to do and the rest will follow.“
–William Lee
