Question: Mr.Benn is it true that you filmed behind the scenes footage of way of the dragon with your home camera? Is this a rumor or not?

Jon Benn: Yes, I had my camera on the set and took a lot of photos during the shoot and while we were all resting. Many of those are included in my book "Remembering Bruce Lee."

Question: How long did it take him to film all his scenes for 'The Way of the Dragon'? (dates would also be most helpful?)

Jon Benn: He first went to Rome, but couldn't do much shooting there so I think they only spent a week or so there. Then in HK it took about a month to finish. I can't remember the dates.

Question: Did Bruce Lee inform him about any of his future film projects he was going to make or did he tell him any details about his 'Game of Death' film project?

Jon Benn: We did discuss various projects for the future and I remember his wanting to do a film in a Chinese pagoda, but he really didn't go into detail

Question: Mr.Benn, as a close friend of Bruce Lee, what was the most memorable time you have with Bruce that you treasure? Thanks for answering and I wish you all the best in the future.

Jon Benn: I think it was when I visited his home and he showed me his library. He had several thousand books of all types, but most were about the various types of martial arts in the world. I picked several at random and each was underlined in many places on each page. He had read and studyed them all which was quite impressive.

Question: People like Robert Lee say there is more to know about Bruce Lees death that people arn't talking about ? What do you know or think of this ?

Jon Benn: I honestly don't know anymore than has been reported by the press, but they lie alot!

Question: What gave you the inspiration to write you book on Bruce Lee ? Why now ?

Jon Benn: Bey Logan wanted to make a video of me showing the various places where filming of some of Bruce's films took place and telling some of the stories about Bruce that I experienced. Bey didn't have time so I wrote the book instead. If you would like a copy, send US$30 to: Jon Benn G/Fl. 2 Taiwan Old Village Lamma Island Hong Kong This includes air mail postage

Question: Can you tell us a bit about your book ?

Jon Benn: It describes my time with Bruce and stories about happenings on the set. There are also many 8x10 rare photos some of which I took on the set which show Bruce in action and most of the crew

Question: 2)Do you know where they are now???? (nora miao and other co-stars of way of the dragon????). Or have you stayed in contact with any of them?

Jon Benn: Nora Miao was in Shanghai last week and I got to meet her. She is still as attractive as always. She lives in Toronto and has a radio program. Anders Nilsson lives in HK and also has a radio program. He was the one who got hit with Bruce's nunchats and still has a beard today to cover the scar. I see a few of the extras on occasion who still live in HK.

Question: When was the last time he saw Bruce Lee and was there anything different about his usual self?

Jon Benn: The last time I saw him was 2 days before he died. I was in the Hyatt Hotel Coffee shop and Bruce came over and introduced me to Fred Weintraub the producer of "Enter the Dragon." He was joking as usual, but he did look thinner than the last time I saw him a few months before.

An excerpt from a private email interview

JDavis: I came across this :- "jon benns answered that bruce was regularly getting headaches and would on numerous occasions simply pass out .Bruce had also instructed anyone who was present with him on the film set to leave him alone & not help him while he encountered these periodic bouts of unconsciousness" . Is this your comment ?

Jon Benn: I never made that quote in my book. I never saw Bruce "pass out" and certainly never heard him tell anyone not to tell anyone, etc. He did have numerous head aches and would just sit down till they went away and would say "Sorry, let's go again." I hope that clarifies things. Glad you have the interest

For the full Jon Benn interview check out the excellent interview section on Temple of the Unknown
1) Jon Benn Interview

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