Spike Lee Biography: Movies, Net Worth, Age, Education, Wife, Children, Height, Awards, Shows

Biography

Spike Lee is an acclaimed American filmmaker, producer, writer, and actor known for his provocative and socially conscious films.

Born Shelton Jackson Lee on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia, he rose to prominence with his debut feature film, She’s Gotta Have It (1986). Lee‘s work often explores themes of race, identity, and urban life, with notable films including Do the Right Thing (1989), Malcolm X (1992), and BlacKkKlansman (2018), the latter earning him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

A cultural icon, Lee has also directed documentaries, commercials, and music videos while remaining a vocal advocate for diversity in Hollywood.

American film director
Spike Lee
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Shelton Jackson Lee
Stage Name:	Spike Lee
Born:	20 March 1957 (age 68 years old)
Place of Birth:	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	St. Ann’s School, Morehouse College, New York University
Height:	1.68 m
Parents:	Jacquelyn Lee, Bill Lee
Siblings:	Joie Lee, Cinqué Lee, Arnold Lee, David Lee, Chris Lee
Spouse:	Tonya Lewis Lee (m. 1993)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Veronica Webb (1990 – 1991)
Children:	Satchel Lee, Jackson Lee
Occupation:	Actor • Film Producer
Net Worth:	$60 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Spike Lee, born Shelton Jackson Lee, came into the world on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia.

His ethnicity is African American, and while he has not publicly emphasized a specific religious affiliation, his work often reflects a deep engagement with cultural and spiritual themes tied to the Black experience.

His parents, Jacqueline Carroll (Jacquelyn Lee), a teacher of arts and Black literature, and William James Edward Lee III (Bill Lee), a jazz musician and composer, raised him in a creative and intellectually rich environment. Spike was the eldest of five siblings: brothers David, Cinqué, and Arnold Lee, and sister Joie Lee, many of whom have also pursued careers in the arts. In his early years, the family moved from Atlanta to Brooklyn, New York, where Lee spent much of his childhood, which later became a recurring backdrop in his films.

He attended St. Ann’s School, a private institution in Brooklyn, before heading to Morehouse College, a historically Black men’s college in Atlanta, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. At Morehouse, he began honing his filmmaking skills, creating his first student film, Last Hustle in Brooklyn.

Lee furthered his education at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television, graduating with his breakthrough short film, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, which won a Student Academy Award. This foundation set the stage for his influential career in cinema.

Career

Spike Lee’s multifaceted career as a filmmaker, producer, writer, and actor spans more than four decades, defined by his bold storytelling, innovative style, and unwavering commitment to addressing pressing social issues—especially those surrounding race, class, and identity.

He made an unforgettable entrance into the film world with his debut feature, She’s Gotta Have It (1986), a black-and-white indie comedy shot in just 12 days on a $175,000 budget. The film grossed over $7 million and introduced audiences to a fresh, fearless voice in cinema. It also marked the launch of his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, a name rooted in the historic, broken promise of reparations to formerly enslaved people.

Lee’s major breakthrough came with Do the Right Thing (1989), a searing, color-saturated portrayal of racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The film earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and cemented his status as one of the most vital and provocative directors of his generation.

He continued to showcase his range with Mo’ Better Blues (1990) and Jungle Fever (1991), before taking on the monumental task of directing Malcolm X (1992), starring Denzel Washington. Despite pushback from studios over the film’s budget and length, it was hailed as a cinematic triumph and remains one of Lee’s most celebrated works.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Lee demonstrated remarkable versatility, alternating between deeply personal projects and more commercial ventures. Crooklyn (1994), a nostalgic tribute to his Brooklyn upbringing, and Clockers (1995), a gritty crime drama, reflected his storytelling depth.

He also made a powerful mark in documentary filmmaking with 4 Little Girls (1997), which explored the 1963 Birmingham church bombing and earned an Oscar nomination. Lee proved his ability to succeed in the mainstream with Inside Man (2006), a slick, high-stakes heist thriller that became his highest-grossing film to date.

Lee experienced a major resurgence with BlacKkKlansman (2018), a sharp, satirical drama based on the true story of a Black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. The film earned Lee his first competitive Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, along with a nomination for Best Director—reaffirming his lasting impact and cultural relevance.

Beyond feature films, Lee’s influence spans music videos (including work with Public Enemy), commercial campaigns (most notably Nike’s Air Jordan ads featuring Michael Jordan), and hard-hitting documentaries like When the Levees Broke (2006), a moving account of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

As a longtime professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and its artistic director since 2002, he has mentored countless aspiring filmmakers. His recent works, such as Da 5 Bloods (2020), continue to push boundaries and provoke dialogue, underscoring his legacy as one of American cinema’s most important and enduring voices.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Spike Lee
• Instagram: Spike Lee (@officialspikelee)
• IMDb: Spike Lee
• Twitter: Spike (@spikelee) / X

Personal Life

Spike Lee was born on March 20, 1957, making him 68 years old. He has been married once, to Tonya Lewis Lee, an attorney, producer, and author.

The couple met in 1992 at a Congressional Black Caucus event and married in New York City on October 2, 1993. They have remained together since, marking over three decades of marriage.

Together, they have two children: a daughter, Satchel Lee, born in December 1994, and a son, Jackson Lee, born in 1997. Satchel has followed in her father’s creative footsteps, working as a photographer and writer, while Jackson has pursued interests in film and sports.

Before his marriage, Spike Lee was in a relationship with model and actress Veronica Webb from 1990 to 1991. The two were linked during a period when Lee’s career was gaining momentum with films like Mo’ Better Blues (1990), though details of their romance remain sparse as Lee has generally kept his personal life out of the spotlight.

Standing at 5 feet 6 inches (approximately 1.68 meters) tall, Lee’s physical stature contrasts with his larger-than-life presence in the film industry.

Net Worth

Spike Lee, the renowned American filmmaker, director, producer, and actor, has an estimated net worth of $60 million.

His wealth stems from a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has produced more than 35 films through his company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Hits like She’s Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing, and BlacKkKlansman—the latter earning him an Oscar—have contributed significantly to his financial success.

Beyond filmmaking, Lee’s income is bolstered by real estate investments, including a Manhattan townhouse and a Martha’s Vineyard estate, as well as his work in commercials and teaching at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. His net worth reflects both his artistic impact and savvy business ventures.

Filmography

Feature Films

• She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
• School Daze (1988)
• Do the Right Thing (1989)
• Mo’ Better Blues (1990)
• Jungle Fever (1991)
• Malcolm X (1992)
• Crooklyn (1994)
• Clockers (1995)
• Girl 6 (1996)
• Get on the Bus (1996)
• He Got Game (1998)
• Summer of Sam (1999)
• The Original Kings of Comedy (2000) – Concert film
• Bamboozled (2000)
• 25th Hour (2002)
• She Hate Me (2004)
• Inside Man (2006)
• Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
• Red Hook Summer (2012)
• Oldboy (2013) – American remake
• Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)
• Chi-Raq (2015)
• BlacKkKlansman (2018)
• Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Documentaries and Nonfiction Works

• Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads (1983) – Student short film
• 4 Little Girls (1997)
• Freak (1998) – TV documentary
• Jim Brown: All-American (2002)
• When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)
• Kobe Doin’ Work (2009)
• If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise (2010) – Follow-up to When the Levees Broke
• Bad 25 (2012) – Documentary on Michael Jackson’s album
• Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016)
• 2 Fists Up (2016) – Short documentary
• Rodney King (2017)
• NYC Epicenters 9/11→2021½ (2021) – HBO documentary series
• David Byrne’s American Utopia (2020) – Concert film adaptation

Short Films and Other Notable Works

• The Answer (1980) – Student film
• Sarah (1981) – Student film
• Last Hustle in Brooklyn (1979) – Student film
• Pass Over (2018) – Filmed stage play
• Wake Up (2020) – Short promotional film for Da 5 Bloods

Television Series (Selected Directorial Work)

• She’s Gotta Have It (2017–2019) – Netflix series, directed all episodes
• Various episodes of other shows, including commercials and pilots.