Spike Lee

Spike Lee, director of Summer Of Sam

Biography

Born 03/20/1957

Perhaps one of the most controversial filmmakers to emerge during the explosion of independent directors in the 1980s, Spike Lee single-handedly changed the way African-Americans were perceived in Hollywood films. Starting with “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), a stylish, ultra-low budget comedy...
Spike Lee's biography »

Rating:

Awards

  • In 2007, received Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmaking
  • In 2007, received Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming
  • In 2006, received Venice Film Festival Award for Documentary

Highlights

  • In 2008, Directed the WWII drama "Miracle at St. Anna" starring Derek Luke and Michael Ealy
  • In 2006, Helmed the Hurricane Katrina documentary for HBO, "When the Levees Broke"; earned an Emmy nomination for Producing
  • In 2006, Re-teamed with Denzel Washington to direct the hostage drama "Inside Man"

Family & Companions

  • Halle Berry: no longer together
  • Bill Lee: father (Born in 1928; scored Spike Lee's early films; nickname 'Bleek' was used as main character's name in "Mo' Better Blues" (1990); former accompanist to folksinger Leon Bibb in the 1960s; remarried to Susan Kaplan after Jacquelyn Lee's death; was arrested for possession of heroin in 1991)
  • Jacquelyn Lee: mother (Taught art and black literature at St. Anne's, a private school in Brooklyn; died in 1977)

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