Los Angeles ( CNN ) -- Jim Kelly , who parlayed his martial arts skills into a successful but brief career in action movies , has died . He was 67 . Kelly 's former wife Marilyn Dishman told CNN that the actor died Saturday of cancer , but did not elaborate . Kelly worked as a martial arts instructor in Los Angeles when he was tapped for his first role in the action movie , `` Melinda . '' But he is best known for his work in the 1973 Bruce Lee film `` Enter the Dragon . '' Kelly 's appearance in the movie was brief -- fans lamented he was offed too soon -- but his electrifying Afro , lanky 6-foot-2 frame and his wisecracks left an impression . Producers came calling . And he capitalized on the attention by taking on the title role in `` Black Belt Jones '' the following year . A spate of other roles followed throughout the 70s , most notably `` Three the Hard Way , '' but then dried up . In later years Kelly took up tennis professionally , becoming a ranked player on the USTA senior circuit . `` I never left the movie business , '' Kelly told The Los Angeles Times in 2010 , when a retrospective DVD set of his movies came out . `` It 's just that after a certain point , I did n't get the type of projects that I wanted to do . '' But he was never far from the screen or the spotlight . In 2004 , he starred with basketball star Lebron James in a Nike commercial that spoofed another Bruce Lee film , `` Game of Death . '' And he sometimes appeared at comic book conventions , much to the delight of his lasting fans . Among them is Anthony Bourdain , star of CNN 's `` Parts Unknown . '' `` RIP Jim Kelly , hero of my grind house youth , '' he posted on Kelly 's Facebook page . The page posted the following announcement Sunday about the actor 's death : . `` It is with sadness and regret that we must announce the passing of a great man and legend Jim Kelly . He will be deeply missed by all . Jim had great love for his family , friends , tennis and martial arts . We are devastated by Jim 's passing but through faith and support from family , friends and fans-we are comforted , blessed and will remain strong . He was survived by his lifetime partner of 33 years and wife . '' People we lost in 2013 : The lives they lived .
Kelly 's appearance in `` Enter the Dragon '' was brief . Comment: He later became a ranked tennis player .