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These are some rumors or questions that are frequently
posted on the Internet. Many fans still don't know what is
true and what isn't.
If you have any questions, please email
us.
How did Brandon meet
Eliza?
Brandon met Eliza Hutton in 1990 at the
20th Century Fox studio, through Brandon’s agent David
Goldman. Goldman represented Eliza’s employer, action director Renny
Harlin, who had a production office on the studio’s lot. The pair
were introduced and the rest (as they say) is history.
In
some articles she is called Lisa Hutton in other ones Eliza Hutton.
Why the change of name?
Brandon’s fiancée’s birth name was Eliza. However, she predominately
was called Lisa as a nickname throughout most of her life, it has
been said. After the pair were engaged, Eliza started going by her
birth first name again, and was referred to Eliza “Lisa” Hutton when
he died in the press. This is why Brandon called her Lisa during the
Rapid Fire era and called her Eliza during later interviews on The
Crow.
When did Brandon and Eliza get engaged?
Brandon proposed to Eliza Hutton in October 1992 while the pair were
in Italy and France, promoting Rapid Fire. Brandon proposed on
bended knee and Eliza (of course) said yes. They pair were engaged
to be married April 17, 1993.
Is
it true that Brandon and Eliza wanted to have kids soon?
Yes, the pair were very eager to start a family immediately after
they were married. Brandon’s mother Linda Lee Cadwell, confirmed (in
a 1999 on-camera interview with FOX FAMILY) that the pair were over
the moon about getting married, and starting a family together.
Brandon had commented on this fact several times in interviews on
the set of The Crow, where he eluded to the fact that he and Eliza
had started to try and conceive. Eliza had left her job as story
editor for Stillwater Productions in preparation for her marriage
and eventually motherhood.
Was Eliza on the set of The Crow when Brandon was shot?
No, Eliza was home in Los Angeles when Brandon was shot. Eliza had
returned a few days previously to make final preparations to her
up-coming wedding to Brandon. When he was shot, Jeff Imada (best
friend of Brandon and the film's stunt coordinator) called Eliza to
see how she was going and accidentally was the first one to tell her
of the accident. She got on the first plane (called Brandon's mother
in the process to inform her of the accident) after learning Brandon
was hurt, and was able to make it to Brandon's side before he died.
She was in the room when he died, by his side, according to reports.
Did
Eliza ever make a comment on
Brandon
after his death? I have heard stories that she did.
Eliza never gave any interviews or comments after
Brandon
died or since for that matter either. There was one statement she
contributed to after he died, that was part of a official press
release from the family
( that was widely circulated after he died in
the press). In the press release, Eliza expressed her desire for
The Crow to be completed because
she said Brandon was so proud of
his work in it. A few years back some internet rumors claimed that
Eliza appeared on Entertainment Tonight, but this was false. Again,
Eliza can never given ANY interviews after
Brandon’s death. As people should be able to
understand, Eliza had a very difficult time after losing
Brandon, and by all accounts refused media
requests out of love and respect for the type of private person he
was, and the couple they were
as well as the fact she was grieving. There have been a number of
fabricated rumors around the Internet, all which only serve to try
and vilify Eliza (for what reason – who can say?), and which have no
factual basis to them. I
should mention that there have been all kinds of rather malicious
and slanderous rumors over the years that have circulated about
Brandon and his loved ones, that again have no factual truth to them
and do not serve any purpose but to try and cause his legacy, memory
and family more grief by adding to the many lies that have spread in
the last 30 plus years since Bruce Lee’s demise.
Brandon
despite his profession was a very private person, and Eliza is STILL
a very reserved and private person - hence why she has never spoken
publicly. Brandon's death and the rumors that surfaced after he died
hurt many in his life, it is of no real surprise that many close to
Brandon have chosen not to share their memories publicly. We can
only hope that at some point that will change, and that more
commentary on Brandon by those who knew him best can be shared with
the public to remember Brandon and his life more accurately.
Were Brandon and Eliza happy?
Such questions are rather idiotic considering how overjoyed and
ecstatic Brandon was at the time of his death about his
happiness with his career and with Eliza. There has never been any
evidence or factual statements from anyone who knew them VERY well
to indicate that either party wasn't. Some fans have wondered, or
speculated, but it seems to have been their own wishful thinking,
rather than what was the truth. Besides the accurate information
that was reported about the couple, and what Brandon himself said,
as well as family members, the couple certainly would not have been
getting married if they weren't happy. As Brandon's mother recalled, "they were over the
moon about their wedding". Rumors that Brandon, or his union with
Eliza wasn’t happy just isn’t
truthful. People do not serve Brandon’s memory or history can service by
fabricating the truth, because of subjective and some disturbing
agendas that a few may have. Unfortunately, Brandon has attracted
some loonies (from people claiming to be possessed by Brandon's
ghost, soul and everything else), that seem to try and trammel on
Brandon’s memory and life for no other reason then that they can’t
accept the truth. Most people who are fans or have been inspired by
him, are very stable and lovely, but there are a few who seem rather
unhinged from reality and whom have exhibited some disturbing
behavior (and even threats). His last role has attracted some very
unstable people, but it is in no way reflective of the thousands of
people who Brandon have inspired, whom honestly are good
people. Not surprisingly, some unstable fans may feel that they own
Brandon (even some who met Brandon once or ones that never did who
wish to want to claim deep connections to him without actually never
having been in his life - hence have no emotional connection to
him), and with that, like to diminish Eliza's role in his life.
In reality, Eliza was effectively Brandon's common law wife (and is on his gravestone) and
they (as much as what we can know from what Brandon said, and what others have) were
happy, committed to each other and very supportive of each other.
Brandon
again
certainly wouldn't have stayed in the relationship if he was
not happy, or had proposed if he wasn't, and he would not have told
his friends (and people like James O'Barr who created The Crow) that
Eliza had changed his life, and that she was his 'immortal soulmate'
if he wasn't in love and happy. The only people that can say truly
what was real or not are the couple themselves, and they were clear
they were happy and in love.
Was Eliza a writer? I read someone call her a screenwriter and
another time, a poet?
I have never see or heard any clarification that she was, at least
not a professional one. When Brandon was promoting
Rapid Fire there were a few articles that listed her as a
'writer' but her actual occupation at the time was a 'story editor'.
Certainly a story editor in Hollywood does do writing
and working with story ideas for scripts, so this may be where the
confusion some media misreporting came from. Newspapers and
magazines don't always fact check all articles (even though
ethically they should). Of course, she could have had screenwriting
ambitions (I once had a room mate who thought it was mandated that
all Los Angeles
residents must write at least one screenplay in their lifetime), but
as far as what the evidence suggests, it doesn't appear to be based
in complete accuracy. I did read an interview with Brandon talking
about a poem Eliza had written him, but it also could have been a
poem she simply copied and just gave him because she wanted to), but
until there is some clarification, it may be just a rumor. The
couple were known (according to reports) for writing each other
letters, but as far as what is on record and seems to be true, she
was in the writing field (editing) and did work with words as part
of the occupations she did work in, when she was with Brandon. It
has been claimed that Eliza works currently in social research, so
she may indeed be an actual professional writer now (although
possibly she may just write under a pseudonym or pen name).
IIs
it true that Eliza doesn’t speak to the Lees?
No,
Eliza does keep in regular
contact with the Lees. Shannon Lee
(Brandon's sister)
herself confirmed this with me.
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