About Jerry Poteet
Lived 1936 – 2012 (aged 75). Jerry Poteet was an American choreographer.
Jerry Poteet (November 29, 1936 – January 15, 2012) was an American martial arts instructor, recognized for his teachings in the art of Jeet Kune Do as an original Bruce Lee student.
Biography Poteet began his martial arts career in Kenpo, and became a brown belt under the Kenpo instructor Ed Parker. Poteet also trained the Dallas Cowboys football team and bodyguards in Jeet Kune Do, and choreograph the fight scenes of several films.
Poteet was chosen as the person best able to train Jason Scott Lee, for the latter's role in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.
In addition to choreographing Jason Scott Lee's key fight scenes in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Jerry worked with him on Soldier and Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision. Other Poteet’s notable students were Glenn Danzig, Michael Worth and Kevin Sorbo.
Poteet credited his teacher, Bruce Lee, with giving him the tools to survive, "the fight of my life", when he was compelled to undergo a liver transplant in 1995. Until his death, Poteet taught Jeet Kune Do to the next generation of students and instructors. He taught martial arts for over 40 years.
The last years of Poteet's life were dedicated to preserving and refining the legacy he received from his instructor, Bruce Lee.
He died on January 15, 2012. Today, Poteet's legacy is being kept alive by protege Sifu Fran Poteet Joseph through the Jerry Poteet Jeet Kune Do Association.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Jerry Poteet's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jerry Poteet's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jerry Poteet?
American martial artist (1936–2012)
When was Jerry Poteet born?
Jerry Poteet was born on 29 November 1936 in United States.
When did Jerry Poteet die?
Jerry Poteet died on 15 January 2012 in United States.
What was Jerry Poteet's occupation?
Jerry Poteet was a choreographer.
What nationality was Jerry Poteet?
Jerry Poteet was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jerry Poteet. https://biography.guide/jerry-poteet/
MLA: "Jerry Poteet." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jerry-poteet/.
Chicago: "Jerry Poteet." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jerry-poteet/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:00 UTC