The Truth Behind Bruce Lee’s Threat to Burt Ward During the Batman/Green Hornet Crossover

In the annals of television history, few stories are as intriguing as the alleged feud between martial arts legend Bruce Lee and Burt Ward, who played Robin in the 1960s Batman series. The story goes that during the filming of the Batman/Green Hornet crossover episodes, Lee threatened to beat up Ward. But is there any truth to this tale? Let’s delve into the facts and separate the myth from reality.

The Batman/Green Hornet Crossover

The Batman/Green Hornet crossover episodes, titled “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman’s Satisfaction,” aired in 1967. These episodes brought together two of the most popular television shows of the time, with Bruce Lee playing the role of Kato, the Green Hornet’s sidekick, and Burt Ward as Batman’s sidekick, Robin.

The Alleged Threat

The story of the alleged threat has been passed down through the years, with various versions adding their own twists and turns. The most common version is that Lee, unhappy with the way the fight scenes were choreographed, threatened to beat up Ward if the scenes were not changed. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, and many people close to the situation have denied it.

Burt Ward’s Perspective

In his autobiography, “Boy Wonder: My Life in Tights,” Burt Ward addressed the rumor. He stated that while there was a competitive spirit between him and Lee, there was no animosity. According to Ward, the two even trained together, with Lee teaching him some martial arts moves. Ward also mentioned that Lee was a perfectionist and often demanded changes to the fight scenes, but there was never a threat of physical violence.

Bruce Lee’s Perspective

Unfortunately, Bruce Lee is not around to give his side of the story. However, his daughter, Shannon Lee, has spoken about her father’s time on the Green Hornet. She stated that her father enjoyed his time on the show and had a good relationship with the cast and crew. She also mentioned that her father was very professional and would not have threatened a co-star.

Conclusion

So, is there any truth to the story that Bruce Lee threatened to beat up Burt Ward during the filming of the Batman/Green Hornet crossover episodes? Based on the available evidence, it seems unlikely. While there may have been some tension due to the competitive nature of the actors and the high stakes of the crossover episodes, the idea of a serious threat seems to be more of a myth than a reality.

It’s important to remember that stories like these often take on a life of their own, especially when they involve larger-than-life figures like Bruce Lee. But in this case, the truth appears to be far less dramatic than the legend.