USPS Honors Bruce Lee with New Forever Stamp

The iconic martial artist and actor's legacy celebrated with commemorative postal release.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled a new Forever stamp honoring Bruce Lee, the legendary martial arts icon and actor. The stamp, which features a striking black-and-white portrait of Lee mid-kick, was unveiled at a ceremony in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, where Lee opened his first martial arts school and attended the University of Washington, shaping his understanding of America.

Why it matters

The Bruce Lee stamp represents an important recognition of the actor's groundbreaking achievements and lasting influence on American culture. Lee challenged prevailing stereotypes about Asian men in film and television, paving the way for greater representation. The stamp's release also highlights the growing importance of representation in popular culture, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The details

The stamp's design, created by artist Kam Mak, captures Lee's dynamism with a portrait of him executing his iconic flying kick. The vibrant yellow swath beneath the portrait pays homage to the jumpsuit he wore in the film 'Game of Death.' Mak, who grew up in Hong Kong, found inspiration in Lee's films as a young immigrant and described working on the stamp as a 'dream come true.'

  • The Bruce Lee Forever stamp was unveiled on February 19, 2026.

The players

Bruce Lee

A martial arts icon and actor who was born in San Francisco, raised in Hong Kong, and later settled in Seattle, where he opened his first martial arts school and attended the University of Washington.

Kam Mak

The artist who painted the portrait of Bruce Lee for the commemorative stamp. Mak grew up in Hong Kong and found inspiration in Lee's films as a young immigrant.

Shannon Lee

Bruce Lee's daughter, who emphasized the profound impact her father had on individuals who found a sense of pride and identity through his work.

U.S. Postal Service

The agency that unveiled the new Bruce Lee Forever stamp, recognizing the actor's groundbreaking achievements and lasting influence on American culture.

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What they’re saying

“Working on the Bruce Lee stamp was a dream come true, particularly given my own experience as an immigrant who found inspiration in his films.”

— Kam Mak, Artist (newsy-today.com)

“The stamp will continue my father's legacy of connection and togetherness.”

— Shannon Lee (newsy-today.com)

The takeaway

The Bruce Lee stamp represents an important milestone in recognizing the significance of representation in popular culture. It highlights the lasting impact of Lee's work in challenging stereotypes and inspiring generations, while also signaling a potential shift towards commemorating more diverse trailblazers through future postal stamp releases.