Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee, an American actor and director, was born on March 20, 1957.

In his writings, Lee has persistently examined racial relations, problems in the black community, the function of the media in modern society, urban crime and poverty, as well as other political topics.

He has received multiple honors for his work, including two Peabody Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, an Academy Award, and a Student Academy Award.

He also received the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, a Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center, an Honorary BAFTA Award in 2002, an Honorary César in 2003, the Academy Honorary Award in 2019, and other awards.

Spike Lee parents: Bill Lee, Jacquelyn Lee

Shelton Jackson Lee was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to jazz musician and composer William James Edward Lee III and Jacqueline Carroll (née Shelton), a teacher of black literature and the arts.

Each of Lee’s three younger siblings, Joie, David, and Cinqué, has performed in a variety of roles in his films. A fourth sibling, Christopher, passed away in 2014.