Childhood and Education Journey of Spike Lee in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Spike Lee. A timeline of key moments.

Spike Lee is a prominent American filmmaker known for his exploration of race relations, issues within the Black community, and political themes. As a director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and author, Lee's work tackles urban crime, poverty, and the role of media in contemporary life. His impactful storytelling has earned him numerous awards, including an Academy Award, Emmy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Peabody Awards, along with honorary recognition for his contributions to film.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1954: Release of On the Waterfront

In 1954, Elia Kazan released the movie On the Waterfront, which Spike Lee has cited as one of his favorite films.

March 20, 1957: Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee was born

On March 20, 1957, Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee was born. He is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and author known for exploring race relations, issues within the black community, and political issues.

Others born on this day/year

1957: Release of A Face in the Crowd

In 1957, Elia Kazan released the movie A Face in the Crowd, which Spike Lee has cited as one of his favorite films.

1963: 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

In 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, an event which was the subject of Spike Lee's 1997 documentary "4 Little Girls".

February 21, 1965: Assassination of Malcolm X

February 21, 1965 is the day on which Malcolm X's assassination occurred, a pivotal event dramatized in Spike Lee's 1992 film "Malcolm X".

1973: Release of Mean Streets

In 1973, Martin Scorsese released the movie Mean Streets, which Spike Lee has cited as one of his favorite films.

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1983: Premiere of 'Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads'

In 1983, Spike Lee premiered his first independent short film, "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads", as his master's degree thesis at the Tisch School of the Arts. The film won a Student Academy Award.

1991: Teaching at Harvard

In 1991, Spike Lee taught a course about filmmaking at Harvard.

1992: Meeting his wife

In 1992, Spike Lee met his wife, attorney Tonya Lewis Lee.

1993: Teaching at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts

In 1993, Spike Lee began teaching at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in the Graduate Film Program, where he also received his Master of Fine Arts.

May 1999: Controversial Comment About Charlton Heston

In May 1999, the New York Post reported that Spike Lee made a controversial remark about Charlton Heston, president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), stating someone should 'Shoot him with a .44 Bull Dog'.

2002: Appointment as Artistic Director at NYU

In 2002, Spike Lee was appointed as artistic director of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

June 2003: Lawsuit Against Spike TV

In June 2003, Spike Lee sought an injunction against Spike TV to prevent them from using his nickname, claiming viewers might associate him with the channel.

2003: Original 'Oldboy' Film Release

In 2003, Park Chan-wook's original film 'Oldboy' was released, which Spike Lee remade in 2013.

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October 2005: Comments on Hurricane Katrina

In October 2005, Spike Lee suggested that the government may have intentionally ignored the plight of black Americans during the 2005 Hurricane Katrina catastrophe and attempted to displace black people out of New Orleans.

2008: Criticism of Clint Eastwood

At the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Spike Lee criticized Clint Eastwood for not depicting black Marines in his World War II film Flags of Our Fathers. Eastwood responded citing historical accuracy, leading to a public exchange and reconciliation later mediated by Steven Spielberg.

March 2012: Tweeted Incorrect Address

In March 2012, Spike Lee shared an incorrect address of George Zimmerman on Twitter after the killing of Trayvon Martin, leading to death threats for the residents and forcing them to leave their home.

November 2013: Negligence Lawsuit

In November 2013, the McClains filed a negligence lawsuit against Spike Lee, accusing him of inciting a dangerous mob mentality due to his sharing of their incorrect address on Twitter in 2012.

2014: Death of Spike Lee's brother, Christopher

In 2014, Spike Lee's brother, Christopher, passed away. Christopher was one of Lee's five younger siblings.

May 18, 2016: Commencement Address at Johns Hopkins University

On May 18, 2016, Spike Lee delivered the Commencement address for The Johns Hopkins University Class of 2016.

2018: Favorite films mentioned

In 2018, Spike Lee cited some of his favorite films as Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront (1954) and A Face in the Crowd (1957), as well as Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets (1973).

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March 2020: Disagreement at Madison Square Garden

In March 2020, Spike Lee had a disagreement with the security team at Madison Square Garden over which entrance to use to see the New York Knicks, leading him to state he would not attend the rest of the games for the season.