History of Spike Lee in Timeline
Spike Lee is a highly acclaimed American filmmaker known for his thought-provoking movies that delve into complex social and political themes. His works often explore race relations, black identity, the impact of media, urban issues, and other politically charged subjects. Lee's exceptional filmmaking has earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and two Peabody Awards. He has also received prestigious honorary awards from BAFTA, César, and the Academy.
1954: Release of On the Waterfront
Elia Kazan's film "On the Waterfront," cited as one of Spike Lee's favorites, was released in 1954.
March 20, 1957: Birth of Spike Lee
Spike Lee, originally named Shelton Jackson Lee, was born on March 20, 1957.
1957: Release of A Face in the Crowd
Another film Spike Lee admires, Elia Kazan's "A Face in the Crowd," premiered in 1957.
1963: Original Release of High and Low
Akira Kurosawa's film "High and Low," which Spike Lee is set to remake, was originally released in 1963.
1963: 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
Spike Lee's 1997 documentary, '4 Little Girls', centers around the tragic bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, which occurred in 1963.
February 21, 1965: Malcolm X's Assassination
The film 'Malcolm X,' released in 1992, depicted the assassination of Malcolm X, which took place on February 21, 1965.
1973: Release of Mean Streets
Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets," which Spike Lee included among his favorite films, was released in 1973.
1983: Founding of 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
Spike Lee established his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, in 1983.
1983: Premiere of Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads
Spike Lee premiered his first independent short film, 'Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads,' in 1983, which served as his master's thesis at Tisch School of the Arts and earned him a Student Academy Award.
1983: Student Academy Award Win for Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads
Spike Lee's early work was recognized in 1983 when he won a Student Academy Award for his film "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads."
1985: Start of Production on She's Gotta Have It
Spike Lee began working on his first feature film, 'She's Gotta Have It', in 1985.
1986: Release of She's Gotta Have It
Spike Lee made his directorial debut with 'She's Gotta Have It' in 1986, a film that marked the beginning of his career and a significant contribution to the American independent film movement.
1986: Release of She's Gotta Have It
Spike Lee's 'She's Gotta Have It' was released in 1986, marking his entry into feature film directing and achieving both critical and commercial success.
1988: Release of School Daze
Spike Lee released the film 'School Daze' in 1988.
1989: Release of Do the Right Thing
'Do the Right Thing', considered one of Spike Lee's most significant works, was released in 1989 and received critical acclaim, with many praising its exploration of racial tensions.
1989: Release of Do the Right Thing
Spike Lee released 'Do the Right Thing' in 1989, a film critically acclaimed for its portrayal of racial tensions and considered one of his most impactful works.
1989: Comparison to 1989 Oscars
The competition between "BlacKkKlansman" and "Green Book" at the 2019 Oscars drew parallels to the 1989 Oscars, where Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" was overlooked for a Best Picture nomination, while "Driving Miss Daisy" won the award.
1990: Release of Mo' Better Blues
Spike Lee directed and released the film 'Mo' Better Blues' in 1990.
1990: Controversy Surrounding Mo' Better Blues
Following the release of 'Mo' Better Blues' in 1990, Spike Lee faced accusations of antisemitism for his portrayal of Jewish club owners, a charge he denied, explaining the characters were intended to highlight the exploitation of black artists.
1990: Directing Commercials for Levi's and Nike
In the mid-1990s, Spike Lee's directorial talents extended to advertising, where he directed TV commercials for Levi's 501 jeans and Nike's Air Jordan line, featuring basketball legend Michael Jordan.
1991: Release of Jungle Fever
Spike Lee released the film 'Jungle Fever' in 1991.
1991: Filmmaking Course at Harvard
Spike Lee shared his filmmaking knowledge by teaching a course at Harvard University in 1991.
1992: Release of Malcolm X
Spike Lee directed and released 'Malcolm X,' a biographical film about the civil rights leader, in 1992.
1992: Marriage to Tonya Lewis Lee
Spike Lee married attorney Tonya Lewis Lee in 1992 in New York, a year after they first met. The couple have two children together.
1992: Release of Malcolm X
Spike Lee's biographical film 'Malcolm X,' starring Denzel Washington, was released in 1992, garnering significant critical acclaim for its portrayal of the civil rights leader's life.
1993: Teaching at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
Spike Lee began teaching in the Graduate Film Program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1993, where he also earned his Master of Fine Arts degree.
1994: Release of Crooklyn
Spike Lee released the film 'Crooklyn' in 1994.
1995: Release of Clockers
Spike Lee released the film 'Clockers' in 1995.
1997: Release of 4 Little Girls
Spike Lee directed and released the documentary '4 Little Girls' in 1997, which focused on the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
1997: Release of 4 Little Girls
Spike Lee's documentary '4 Little Girls,' which explored the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, was released in 1997, later earning an Academy Award nomination.
May 1999: Controversial Comment about Charlton Heston
During the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, Spike Lee sparked controversy when he suggested that someone should "shoot" Charlton Heston, then-president of the NRA, with a ".44 Bull Dog." While Lee maintained it was intended as a joke in response to discussions about Hollywood's role in school shootings, his comment drew strong criticism, particularly from Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey, who accused Lee of promoting violence and hate.
2000: Critical Acclaim for 25th Hour
Spike Lee's film "25th Hour," released in 2002, was later recognized as the 26th greatest film since 2000 in a BBC poll of 177 critics, solidifying its place as a cinematic achievement.
2002: Release of 25th Hour
In 2002, Spike Lee directed the critically acclaimed film "25th Hour," starring Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film garnered significant praise and was considered one of the best films of the decade by many critics.
2002: Appointed Artistic Director of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
In 2002, Spike Lee's contributions to film education were further recognized when he was appointed artistic director of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
2002: Release of 25th Hour
Spike Lee released the film '25th Hour' in 2002.
June 2003: Legal Dispute with Spike TV
In June 2003, Spike Lee attempted to legally stop Spike TV from using the name "Spike", claiming that his fame would cause viewers to believe he was involved with the channel.
October 2005: Controversial Comments on Hurricane Katrina Response
In October 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Spike Lee sparked controversy with his comments about the government's response to the disaster. Lee stated that he found it plausible that the government had intentionally neglected the plight of Black Americans affected by the hurricane, going so far as to suggest the government might have attempted to displace Black residents from New Orleans. He cited historical instances of government misconduct, including the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, to support his claim.
April 7, 2006: Spike Lee's Interview on Driving Miss Daisy
On April 7, 2006, Spike Lee expressed his disappointment over 'Driving Miss Daisy's' Best Picture win over 'Do the Right Thing' at the Academy Awards, arguing that 'Driving Miss Daisy' relied on safe stereotypes.
2006: Release of Inside Man
In 2006, Spike Lee directed "Inside Man," a studio heist thriller starring Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, and Clive Owen. Although a departure from his usual style, the film was both a critical and financial success.
2006: Release of Inside Man
Spike Lee released the film 'Inside Man' in 2006.
May 2, 2007: San Francisco Film Society's Directing Award
On May 2, 2007, Spike Lee was honored with the San Francisco Film Society's Directing Award at the 50th San Francisco International Film Festival.
2008: Public Disagreement with Clint Eastwood
At the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Spike Lee, during the making of his film "Miracle at St. Anna" about an all-Black U.S. division in World War II, criticized director Clint Eastwood for the lack of Black Marines in Eastwood's own World War II film, "Flags of Our Fathers." Eastwood defended his film, stating it focused on the specific Marines who raised the flag at Iwo Jima and highlighted the historical reality of racial segregation in the U.S. military during that era. This escalated into a public disagreement, with both directors exchanging harsh words. Lee later downplayed the event, claiming it was blown out of proportion by the media and that he and Eastwood had reconciled.
2008: Wexner Prize Recipient
Spike Lee received the Wexner Prize in 2008, recognizing his significant contributions to the arts.
December 16, 2009: 25th Hour Added to Ebert's "Great Movies" List
On December 16, 2009, renowned film critic Roger Ebert added Spike Lee's film "25th Hour" to his esteemed "Great Movies" list.
March 2012: Circulation of Incorrect Address in Trayvon Martin Case
Following the tragic death of Trayvon Martin in March 2012, Spike Lee, among others, shared what was believed to be George Zimmerman's home address on Twitter. This information turned out to be inaccurate, resulting in the actual residents, Elaine and David McClain, receiving threats and being forced to flee their home. Lee apologized for his error and reportedly reached a settlement with the McClains.
November 2013: Lawsuit by Elaine and David McClain
In November 2013, despite an initial settlement, Elaine and David McClain filed a negligence lawsuit against Spike Lee. They claimed he incited a dangerous mob mentality through his actions, causing them ongoing harm and damage, even after Zimmerman's trial in 2013. Their lawsuit, seeking $1.2 million, was ultimately dismissed by a Seminole County judge, who upheld the previous settlement.
2013: Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize Winner
In 2013, Spike Lee was awarded the prestigious Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, one of the highest honors in American arts, with a value of $300,000.
2013: Traditional Film Credit in Oldboy
Spike Lee's 2013 film "Oldboy" deviated from his signature "Spike Lee Joint" closing credits, using the traditional "A Spike Lee Film" credit after producers requested edits.
2014: Death of Christopher Lee
Spike Lee's brother, Christopher, passed away in 2014.
November 2015: Academy Honorary Award Presentation
Spike Lee was honored for his contributions to filmmaking with an Academy Honorary Award at a ceremony in November 2015.
2015: Academy Honorary Award Recipient
In 2015, Spike Lee received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the film industry.
2015: Honorary Academy Award
In 2015, Spike Lee, at 58 years old, became the youngest recipient of an Honorary Academy Award. This prestigious recognition was given to him for his significant contributions to independent film and his inspirational role for aspiring filmmakers. Notable actors Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, and Wesley Snipes, who frequently collaborated with Lee, presented him with the award during a private ceremony at the Governors Awards.
2015: Release of Chi-Raq
Spike Lee released the film 'Chi-Raq' in 2015.
May 18, 2016: Commencement Address at Johns Hopkins University
On May 18, 2016, Spike Lee delivered a captivating Commencement address to the graduating class of 2016 at The Johns Hopkins University.
2017: 4 Little Girls Selected for Preservation
In 2017, '4 Little Girls' was chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical significance, signifying its lasting impact.
2018: Spike Lee Discusses Cinematic Influences
In a 2018 interview with GQ, Spike Lee shared some of his favorite films, which included Elia Kazan's "On the Waterfront" (1954) and "A Face in the Crowd" (1957), as well as Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets" (1973).
2018: Release of BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee released the film 'BlacKkKlansman' in 2018.
2018: Grand Prix at Cannes for BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee's film "BlacKkKlansman" won the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Lee has had two films compete for the Palme d'Or, the highest honor at Cannes, with "BlacKkKlansman" securing the Grand Prix.
2018: Premiere of BlacKkKlansman at Cannes Film Festival
Spike Lee's film "BlacKkKlansman," a true crime drama set in the 1970s, premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix.
2019: Academy Award Nominations and Win for BlacKkKlansman
In 2019, "BlacKkKlansman" earned Spike Lee his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director and a nomination for Best Picture. He won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
2019: First Best Picture and Best Director Nominations
Spike Lee received his first nominations for Best Picture and Best Director at the 2019 Academy Awards for his film "BlacKkKlansman."
2019: Academy Award for BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee's film "BlacKkKlansman" received six Academy Award nominations in 2019, including three nominations for Lee himself: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Lee won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, marking his first-ever Academy Award.
March 2020: Dispute with Madison Square Garden Security
In March 2020, Spike Lee had a public disagreement with security personnel at Madison Square Garden concerning the entry point he was expected to use for a New York Knicks game. Following the incident, Lee declared he wouldn't be attending any further games that season.
May 2020: Release of "NEW YORK NEW YORK" Short Film
Spike Lee, in May 2020, used Instagram to release his poignant three-minute short film titled "NEW YORK NEW YORK." This film later found a home on the city's official website.
June 12, 2020: Release of Da 5 Bloods on Netflix
Spike Lee's Vietnam War film, "Da 5 Bloods," starring Delroy Lindo and Chadwick Boseman, was released globally on Netflix on June 12, 2020. The film follows a group of Black veterans returning to Vietnam to find the remains of their squad leader and recover buried treasure.
2020: Release of Da 5 Bloods
Spike Lee released the film 'Da 5 Bloods' in 2020.
2021: Release of NYC Epicenters 9/11→2021½
Spike Lee released the documentary series 'NYC Epicenters 9/11→2021½' in 2021.
2023: Ebert Director Award at TIFF
Spike Lee was honored with the Ebert Director Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
February 2024: Confirmed to Direct High and Low Remake
In February 2024, it was announced that Spike Lee will direct a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 film "High and Low," starring Denzel Washington.
March 2024: Board of Governor's Award from the ASC
Spike Lee was honored by the American Society of Cinematographers with the distinguished Board of Governor's Award in March 2024.