Spike Lee
Date of birth: 1957-03-20
Place of birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Known for: Directing
Also known as: Спайк Ли, سبايك لي, 스파이크 리, スパイク・リー, สไปค์ ลี, 史派克·李, Σπάικ Λι, اسپایک لی, Shelton Jackson Lee
Biography
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee (born March 20, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American filmmaker and actor. At a very young age, he moved from pre-civil rights Georgia, to Brooklyn, New York. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother, a school teacher. His mother dubbed him Spike, due to his tough nature. He attended school in Morehouse College in Atlanta and developed his film making skills at Clark Atlanta University. After graduating, he went to the Tisch School of Arts graduate film program. He made a controversial short, The Answer (1980), a reworking of D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) -- a ten-minute film. Lee went on to produce a 45-minute film Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads (1983), which won a student academy award. Lee's next film, "The Messenger," in 1984, was somewhat biographical. In 1986, Spike Lee made the film, She's Gotta Have It (1986), a comedy about sexual relationships. The movie was made for 175,000 dollars, and made seven million. Since then, Lee has become a well-known, intelligent, and talented film maker. His next movie was School Daze (1988), which was set in a historically black school and focused mostly on the conflict between the school and the Fraternities, of which he was a strong critic, portraying them as materialistic, irresponsible, and uncaring. Lee went on to do his landmark film, Do the Right Thing (1989), a movie specifically about his own town in Brooklyn, New York. The movie garnered an Oscar nomination, for Danny Aiello, for supporting actor. It also sparked a debate on racial relations. Lee went on to produce the jazz biopic Mo' Better Blues (1990) which showed his talent for directing and acting, and was the first of many Spike Lee films to feature Denzel Washington. His next film, Jungle Fever (1991), was about interracial dating. Lee's handling of the subject proved yet again highly controversial. Lee's next film was the self-titled biography of Malcolm X (1992), which had Denzel Washington portraying the civil rights leader. The movie was a success, and resulted in an Oscar nomination for Washington. His next films were the comparatively light, Crooklyn (1994), and the intense crime drama, Clockers (1995). In 1996, Lee directed two movies: the badly received comedy, Girl 6 (1996), and the politically pointed, Get on the Bus (1996), about a group of men going to the Million Man March. His next film, He Got Game (1998), proved to be another excursion into the collegiate world as he shows the darker side of recruiting college athletes. The movie, in limited release, yet again featured Denzel Washington. In 2000 came Bamboozled which made a mockery out of television and the way African-Americans are perceived by white America and the way African-Americans perceive themselves. The movie, however, was a resounding critical success. Lee also has produced films like New Jersey Drive (1995), Tales from the Hood (1995), and Drop Squad (1994). He also has produced and or directed movies about Huey P. Newton, Jim Brown, and has commented in many documentaries about varied subjects. Lee is an obsessive New York Knicks fan. He and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, have two children.
Movie Credits
Do the Right Thing
1989-06-14
Salvatore "Sal" Fragione is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggi
Jungle Fever
1991-06-07
A successful and married black man contemplates having an affair with a white girl from work. He's q
When We Were Kings
1996-10-25
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years
Malcolm X
1992-11-18
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hi
Lonely in America
1990-09-30
An East Indian native immigrates to New York City and stumbles his way onto the corporate fast-track
Crooklyn
1994-05-13
From Spike Lee comes this vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school-teacher, her stubborn j
She's Gotta Have It
1986-08-08
The story of Nola Darling's simultaneous sexual relationships with three different men is told by he
Street Fight
2005-04-23
This documentary follows the 2002 mayoral campaign in Newark, New Jersey, in which a City Councilman
Mo' Better Blues
1990-08-03
Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gilliam is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness abo
Girl 6
1996-03-22
A struggling actress in New York City takes a job as a phone sex operator.
Brooklyn Boheme
2012-02-27
Brooklyn Boheme is a love letter to a vibrant African American artistic community who resided in For
Bad 25
2012-11-22
Spike Lee pays tribute to Michael Jackson's Bad on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the epochal album
The Evolution of an American Filmmaker
2003-05-20
Spike Lee's filmmaking career is examined in this partial making-of for the film 25th Hour (2002). I
New York at the Movies
2002-07-07
Meryl Streep conducts us to a trip to New York City as presented in many films during the 20th Centu
Seen It All
2022-05-16
A celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nike.
A Daughter's Tribute to Her Father: Souleymane Cissé
2022-05-17
Fatou Cissé accompanies her father, malien director Souleymane Cissé, through a trip down his film c
Be Truly Free
2017-03-01
Spike Lee explains the dream.
Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks
2010-03-14
Reggie Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knick fans multiple times. But it was the 1995 E
Sidney
2022-09-10
This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil ri
Guest
2011-03-25
Filmmaker José Luis Guerin documents his experience during a year of traveling as a guest of film fe
By Any Means Necessary: The Making of 'Malcolm X'
2005-02-08
A short documentary about the making of Spike Lee's biopic, "Malcolm X."
School Daze
1988-02-12
Fraternity and sorority members clash with other students at a historically black college during hom
The Last Party
1993-08-27
A youthful perspective on the 1992 presidential campaign with a witty, cautionary message to young A
MTV's 10th Anniversary Special
1991-06-06
A special commemorating the 10th anniversary of MTV. Included are performances created for this spec
Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’
2012-06-07
A provocative look into the seven-year history of the series that gave hip hop a voice and broke col
40 x 15: The Forty Years of the Directors' Fortnight
2008-05-18
A history of the Cannes Film Festival's Director's Fortnight selection.
Do The Right Thing 25 Year Anniversary A Beats Music Experience
Spike Lee and others reflect on this impactful film, more than two decades later.
Sous les marches du palais
1991-09-14
Denzel Washington: A Model American
2022-10-15
In 30 years of a deeply committed career and 50 roles, Denzel Washington, double-Oscar winner, place
Champs
2015-03-13
A documentary about the sport of boxing, as seen through the eyes of champions Mike Tyson, Evander H
Be A Part of It
2024-04-04
Spike Lee’s tribute to the Bronx in promotion of the Yankees’ 2024 season opener.
Red Hook Summer
2012-08-10
When his mom deposits him at the Red Hook housing project in Brooklyn to spend the summer with the g
Michael Jordan to the Max
2000-05-05
This documentary showcases basketball player Michael Jordan's awe-inspiring moves, providing behind-
French Cinema Mon Amour
2015-07-06
French Cinema Mon Amour is an ensemble film in which each contributor brings their own voice, their
3 A.M.
2001-07-01
The feature film directing debut of Spike Lee protege Lee Davis takes the viewer into the world of t
4 Little Girls
1997-07-09
On September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young gi
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
2005-04-07
Melvin Van Peebles was one of the first black directors to challenge the white establishment in his
Making 'Do the Right Thing'
1989-11-03
The Behind-the-Scenes documentary of the dramatic comedy Do the Right Thing.
Number 4
2006-08-08
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington discuss their fourth film together Inside Man.
Birth of a Movement
2017-02-06
In 1915, Boston-based African American newspaper editor and activist William M. Trotter waged a batt
Life O' The Party: On the Road with Prince and the New Power Generation
2005-06-07
On the road documentary with Prince and the New Power Generation during their 2004 Musicology tour f
Lisa Picard Is Famous
2000-05-14
A documentarian decides to follow the career of New York actress Lisa Picard, believing she is on th
The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money
1996-11-17
An examination of the evolution of commercials as an artistic medium, featuring interviews with medi
Clockers
1995-09-15
Strike is a young city drug pusher under the tutelage of drug lord Rodney Little. When a night manag
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and 'Dr. Strangelove'
2004-10-28
Documentary about actor Peter Sellers and one of his most memorable film roles.
Pixote In Memoriam
2007-10-30
A tribute documentary on Fernando Ramos da Silva, the famous child star of the acclaimed film by Hec
Seven Songs for Malcolm X
1993-10-01
The Black Audio Film Collective’s seventh film envisioned the death and life of the African American
A Man's Story
2011-10-08
Documentary about British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng.
First Works
1989-10-10
It's a mixed bag in the age of illuminating DVD supplements, but First Works effectively demonstrate
Summer of Sam
1999-06-28
Spike Lee's take on the "Son of Sam" murders in New York City during the summer of 1977 centering on
Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists
2018-11-15
Directors Jonathan Alter, John Block and Steve McCarthy bring New York columnists Jimmy Breslin and
PoliWood
2009-07-03
An in-depth look at the Democratic and Republican national conventions held during the 2008 U.S. Pre
It's Black Entertainment
2002-02-08
A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Amer
Do the Right Thing: 20 Years Later
2009-06-30
In this documentary directed by Spike Lee, he interviews the cast and crew of his 1989 film DO THE R
No Fighting in the War Room Or: 'Dr Strangelove' and the Nuclear Threat
2004-10-28
A documentary exploring the historical concept of the narrative of Stanley Kubrick's 1964 film "Dr.
The Making of 'Bamboozled'
2001-04-17
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Spike Lee's satirical take on the American entertainment i
Kobe Doin' Work
2009-05-16
A documentary following Kobe Bryant during one day of the 2008 NBA playoffs.
Decade
1989-12-09
Interviews with personalities including John Mellencamp, Spike Lee, Lou Reed, Roseanne Barr, David B
Spike & Co. Do It a-Cappella
1990-01-01
A 1990 PBS documentary around the topic of A cappella music. Artists that performed as part of the d
Farewell, Babylon!
1993-08-28
Arrabal's sixth film based on his novel from 1969 with the same name as the movie.
Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1
2018-04-22
Unbanned explores the dynamic life of AJ1 from its unlikely origins to its role in disrupting NBA ru
Below the Rim
1995-01-01
Men among giants, the NBA's little big men are the unsung heroes of the court. Defying the odds, the
We the People: From Crispus Attucks to President Barack Obama
2014-02-11
The Election of President Barack Obama began on March 5, 1770 at the Boston Massacre with the death
Director Spike Lee's New York City
2015-04-10
Director Spike Lee (Malcolm X) has lived and worked in New York City for his entire career. He loves
Through the Fire
2005-01-01
"Through the Fire" chronicles the journey of Coney Island basketball star, Sebastian Telfair, from f
Lights, Action, Music
2007-08-06
A wonderful journey through the meaning and relevance of film music composition. Featuring great, a
Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies
2008-01-20
Documentary portrays the saga of how Italian Americans went from being outsiders who were stereotype
On the Shoulders of Giants
2011-02-11
The story of the Harlem Rens: the greatest basketball team you never heard of.
Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee
2014-06-22
In this open-letter style documentary, Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis' rich lives guide their grandson on hi
Branford Marsalis: Steep
1991-01-04
Recorded live on 13th November, 1987, at the Spirit Square Arts Centre, North Carolina, USA.
Our Hollywood Education
1992-05-28
In this documentary, a variety of directors and actors, many of them well known, give answers to que
Hoop Dreams
1994-09-12
Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each wa
A Century of Cinema
1994-01-01
A look back at the first 100 years of the movies.
The Universal Story
1996-04-21
Richard Dreyfuss hosts a celebration of the 80 year history of Universal Studios. Founded as IMP by
Ray Allen/AKA- Jesus Shuttlesworth
2015-02-06
Spike Lee takes us into the world of NBA nicknames, focusing on how Ray Allen's starring role in Lee
The Making and Meaning of 'We Are Family'
2002-01-09
Featuring inverviews from: Afrika Bambaataa, Ashford & Simpson, Jackson Browne, Kim Burell, Taylor D
Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist
2021-04-17
An intimate look at the Oscar-nominated actor’s incomparable artistry, and the acting process which
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021-06-18
This documentary chronicles renaissance man Gordon Parks’ stellar career from staff photographer for
Public Enemy: Fight the Power... Live!
1989-01-01
THE BLACK PANTHERS OF RAPP-CHUCK D, FLAVOR FLAY, TERMINATOR X, PROFESSOR GRIFF, AND THE S1W'S BRING
Five Directors On The Battle of Algiers
2004-08-01
This 17-minute documentary is featured on the 3-Disc Criterion Collection DVD of The Battle of Algie
Four Days in October
2010-10-05
When the night of October 16, 2004 came to a merciful end, the Curse of the Bambino was alive and we
Samuel L. Jackson: Did I Stutter?
2023-07-08
With a work ethic like no other and a filmography boosting over 150 films, it's hard to doubt Samuel
Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall
2016-02-06
Director Spike Lee chronicles Michael Jackson's early rise to fame.
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025-01-27
Untold stories behind the culture-defining and newsmaking musical performances, sketches and cameos
Drop Squad
1994-10-28
Controversial film about an underground organization that kidnaps and 'deprograms' African Americans
Gold Blooded
2022-09-27
This 7-part documentary is narrated by Andre Iguodala and tells the story of the Golden State Warrio
Plankton Salesmen
2017-10-29
A nostalgic look at the birth and death of arthouse film distribution in Russia in the early 2000s.
Lumière & Company
1995-12-20
40 international directors were asked to make a short film using the original Cinematographe invente