Bruce Lee's The Green Hornet, a 1966 ABC series, introduced him to American audiences before he became famous for his kung fu movies. The show starred Van Williams as the Green Hornet and Bruce Lee as Kato, the superhero's sidekick. At the time, Asian representation on TV was rare, making The Green Hornet stand out. Additionally, the show showcased martial arts, which was uncommon on American television.

Despite Bruce Lee's involvement, The Green Hornet failed to become the success ABC had hoped for. The network initially created the series as a response to the popularity of Batman and Robin, even arranging a crossover between the two shows.

However, the ratings were disappointing, and ABC considered canceling the show midseason. Although the crossover with Batman did not bring a significant ratings boost, ABC decided to continue airing the show. Nevertheless, they ultimately announced in April, after the first season concluded, that the series would not be renewed.

The Green Hornet did not contribute much to Bruce Lee's Hollywood career. Instead, it led to guest appearances on other TV shows and minor roles. However, the show gained popularity in Hong Kong through reruns, attracting the attention of kung fu movie studio Golden Harvest.

This opportunity led to Lee becoming an international superstar in martial arts films.

Overall, The Green Hornet's unique blend of Asian representation and martial arts made it stand out during its time. Although it was a short-lived series, it played a significant role in introducing Bruce Lee to American audiences and opening doors for his future career in Hong Kong.