Shelton Jackson Lee was born on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Bill Lee, who is a jazz bassist, moved the family to Brooklyn, New York when he was a small child and he attended John Dewey High School. He received a BA in Mass Communications from Morehouse College and in 1982 he earned a Master of Fine Arts from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Spike Lee makes unique and penetrating films on controversial subjects. He is not afraid to examine the boldest of issues and has covered many, including race relations, the role of the media in contemporary life, urban crime and poverty and political issues. Many of his films are distinguished by music, most of which is executed by his father including “Mo’ Better Blues” starring Denzel Washington. His films have receive critical acclaim and respected film critic, Roger Ebert, has described Spike Lee as “one of the greatest filmmakers in America today.”
In 1989, Lee’s film, “Do The Right Thing” was nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Original Screenplay.” In 1997, his documentary, “4 Little Girls” was nominated for the “Best Feature Documentary” Academy Award. He is often provoking in his approach as he was in 1992 when he encouraged young black students to skip school and rush to the theaters to see his movie, “Malcolm X.” He has also been known to make statements that are not only denigrating but also false (such as accusing Senator Trent Lott of being a member of the Klu Klux Clan on national television). He has also been criticized for his stereotypical representation of ethnic characters in some of his films.
Spike Lee was voted the “48th Greatest Director” of all time by “Entertainment Weekly” and continues to evoke controversy and conscience with his talents for making films that deal with social and political issues. He is also a distinguished documentarian and teaches film at New York University. He may not be for everybody, but long may he illustrate through his films the right of every American to speak their mind in this great country of ours.