Film director Spike Lee poses for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival in 2012.
In pictures: Acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee
Film director Spike Lee poses for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival in 2012.
Victoria Will/AP

Published 11:27 AM EST, Sat March 12, 2022

The Directors Guild of America is honoring Spike Lee this weekend during its annual awards show.

The 64-year-old Lee will become the first Black director to receive the guild's Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Achievement in Motion Picture Direction.   

"Icon. Trailblazer. Visionary. Spike Lee has changed the face of cinema, and there is no single word that encapsulates his significance to the craft of directing," Directors Guild President Lesli Linka Glatter said in January. "From his groundbreaking "Do the Right Thing," "BlacKkKlansman" and everything in-between, to his signature 'double dolly' shot, Spike is an innovator on so many levels. His bold and passionate storytelling over the past three decades has masterfully entertained as it held a stark mirror to our society and culture."

In the Guild's 86-year history, just 35 directors have received this lifetime achievement award. Past winners include Steve Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and Orson Welles. The most recent winner was Ridley Scott in 2017.

Lee holds film reels while crouching in front of a poster of his first feature film "She's Gotta Have It," which was released in 1986. Lee was born in Atlanta and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta and earned a master's degree in film and television from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Lee holds film reels while crouching in front of a poster of his first feature film "She's Gotta Have It," which was released in 1986. Lee was born in Atlanta and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta and earned a master's degree in film and television from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
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Lee, third from left, appears at the end of a "Saturday Night Live" episode in 1986. Lee acted in one of the sketches, playing his Mars Blackmon character from "She's Gotta Have It."
Lee, third from left, appears at the end of a "Saturday Night Live" episode in 1986. Lee acted in one of the sketches, playing his Mars Blackmon character from "She's Gotta Have It."
Alan Singer/NBC/Getty Images
Lee signs autographs in New York while showing his support for presidential candidate Jesse Jackson in 1987.
Lee signs autographs in New York while showing his support for presidential candidate Jesse Jackson in 1987.
Linda Schaefer/Alamy
Lee poses for a portrait in Boston in 1989. He was promoting his new movie "Do the Right Thing," which earned him an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay.
Lee poses for a portrait in Boston in 1989. He was promoting his new movie "Do the Right Thing," which earned him an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay.
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Lee acts opposite Danny Aiello in "Do the Right Thing." The film, which took on a number of hot-button issues, was a financial and critical success.
Lee acts opposite Danny Aiello in "Do the Right Thing." The film, which took on a number of hot-button issues, was a financial and critical success.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Lee stands between Flavor Flav and Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy as they filmed a video for their song "Fight the Power" in 1989. The song was featured in "Do the Right Thing."
Lee stands between Flavor Flav and Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy as they filmed a video for their song "Fight the Power" in 1989. The song was featured in "Do the Right Thing."
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Lee sits in front of photographers at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991. He presented his film "Jungle Fever" at the event.
Lee sits in front of photographers at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991. He presented his film "Jungle Fever" at the event.
Jose Goitia/AP
Lee and actor Denzel Washington are seen in Lee's 1992 film "Malcolm X." Washington played the civil-rights icon.
Lee and actor Denzel Washington are seen in Lee's 1992 film "Malcolm X." Washington played the civil-rights icon.
Warner Brothers/Everett Collection
Lee displays some of his clothing line for his production company 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks in 1992.
Lee displays some of his clothing line for his production company 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks in 1992.
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Lee speaks to Rikers Island inmates Ivan Rennie, left, and Rodney Veeney while visiting the maximum security prison in New York in 1993. Lee was screening his film "Malcolm X" on the 28th anniversary of his assassination.
Lee speaks to Rikers Island inmates Ivan Rennie, left, and Rodney Veeney while visiting the maximum security prison in New York in 1993. Lee was screening his film "Malcolm X" on the 28th anniversary of his assassination.
Alex Brandon/AP
Basketball star Michael Jordan receives a statuette from Lee as Jordan's number was retired by the Chicago Bulls in 1994. Jordan was also receiving a 12-foot statue of himself outside of the United Center. Early in Jordan's career, Lee appeared with Jordan in many shoe commercials, playing his Mars Blackmon character.
Basketball star Michael Jordan receives a statuette from Lee as Jordan's number was retired by the Chicago Bulls in 1994. Jordan was also receiving a 12-foot statue of himself outside of the United Center. Early in Jordan's career, Lee appeared with Jordan in many shoe commercials, playing his Mars Blackmon character.
Fred Jewell/Pool/AP
From left, Lee, director Martin Scorsese and actor Harvey Keitel appear at the premiere of Lee's film "Clockers" in 1995. Scorsese co-produced the movie.
From left, Lee, director Martin Scorsese and actor Harvey Keitel appear at the premiere of Lee's film "Clockers" in 1995. Scorsese co-produced the movie.
Adam Nadel/AP
Lee uses crutches while on the set of a Nike commercial he directed in 1995. He was recovering from knee surgery. In front of the camera are basketball stars Lisa Leslie, left, and Dawn Staley.
Lee uses crutches while on the set of a Nike commercial he directed in 1995. He was recovering from knee surgery. In front of the camera are basketball stars Lisa Leslie, left, and Dawn Staley.
Monika Graff/AP
Lee acknowledges applause after receiving an honorary doctorate degree from New York University in 1998. Lee graduated from NYU's film school and also taught at the school.
Lee acknowledges applause after receiving an honorary doctorate degree from New York University in 1998. Lee graduated from NYU's film school and also taught at the school.
Mike Segar/Reuters
Lee sits with his wife, Tonya, and their children, Jackson and Satchel, on the sidelines of the WNBA All-Star Game in 1999.
Lee sits with his wife, Tonya, and their children, Jackson and Satchel, on the sidelines of the WNBA All-Star Game in 1999.
Kathy Willens/AP
Lee speaks to actors who were auditioning for one of his commercials at New York's Hunter College in 2000.
Lee speaks to actors who were auditioning for one of his commercials at New York's Hunter College in 2000.
Keith Torrie/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Lee holds a copy of his book "That's My Story and I'm Sticking to It" at its launch in 2005.
Lee holds a copy of his book "That's My Story and I'm Sticking to It" at its launch in 2005.
Shutterstock
Lee signs autographs at the Venice International Film Festival in 2007.
Lee signs autographs at the Venice International Film Festival in 2007.
Future-Image/Zuma
Lee holds two directing awards he won at the 2007 Creative Arts Emmys.
Lee holds two directing awards he won at the 2007 Creative Arts Emmys.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Lee's son, Jackson, gives his father a kiss during a photo shoot in Rome in 2007.
Lee's son, Jackson, gives his father a kiss during a photo shoot in Rome in 2007.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images
Lee attends the Democratic National Convention in 2008.
Lee attends the Democratic National Convention in 2008.
Ron Edmonds/AP
Lee plays in a celebrity softball game during Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities in 2008.
Lee plays in a celebrity softball game during Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities in 2008.
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Lee dances with the Rev. Al Sharpton during a Michael Jackson tribute at the Apollo Theater in New York in 2009.
Lee dances with the Rev. Al Sharpton during a Michael Jackson tribute at the Apollo Theater in New York in 2009.
Todd Heisler/The New York Times/Redux
Lee tries to catch a ball during a World Series game in New York in 2009.
Lee tries to catch a ball during a World Series game in New York in 2009.
Anthony J. Causi/Retna USA/Zuma
Lee looks at the camera as he arrives at a museum in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2009. He was giving a seminar to young film students.
Lee looks at the camera as he arrives at a museum in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2009. He was giving a seminar to young film students.
Ariana Cubillos/AP
Lee works with a film crew near the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans in 2010. He was filming the documentary "If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise."
Lee works with a film crew near the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans in 2010. He was filming the documentary "If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise."
Patrick Semansky/AP
Lee uses an iPad to take a photo of President Barack Obama at an awards gala in New York in 2011.
Lee uses an iPad to take a photo of President Barack Obama at an awards gala in New York in 2011.
Alamy
Lee, left, appears on stage with actor Samuel L. Jackson at the BET Awards in 2012.
Lee, left, appears on stage with actor Samuel L. Jackson at the BET Awards in 2012.
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Lee participates in the Justice for All march in Washington, DC, in 2014. They were protesting the deaths of unarmed black men and boys at the hands of police.
Lee participates in the Justice for All march in Washington, DC, in 2014. They were protesting the deaths of unarmed black men and boys at the hands of police.
Ruth Fremson/The New York Times/Redux
Lee cheers on his beloved New York Knicks during an NBA game in 2014. Lee's Knicks fandom is well documented, and he's frequently seen sitting courtside.
Lee cheers on his beloved New York Knicks during an NBA game in 2014. Lee's Knicks fandom is well documented, and he's frequently seen sitting courtside.
Barton Silverman/The New York Times/Redux
Lee offers direction during the filming of his 2018 film "BlacKkKlansman." With him, from left, are Jasper Pääkkönen, Ryan Eggold and Adam Driver.
Lee offers direction during the filming of his 2018 film "BlacKkKlansman." With him, from left, are Jasper Pääkkönen, Ryan Eggold and Adam Driver.
David Lee/Sony Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Lee holds the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay, which he won in 2019 for "BlacKkKlansman." It was Lee's first Oscar.
Lee holds the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay, which he won in 2019 for "BlacKkKlansman." It was Lee's first Oscar.
Matt Petit/Handout/A.M.P.A.S./Getty Images
Lee and singer Maxwell attend a block party in Brooklyn, New York, for the 30th anniversary of "Do the Right Thing" in 2019.
Lee and singer Maxwell attend a block party in Brooklyn, New York, for the 30th anniversary of "Do the Right Thing" in 2019.
Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images
Lee attends the premiere of the film "Annette" at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. With him, from left, are actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress Mélanie Laurent and director Jessica Hausner. Lee was acting as the festival's jury president.
Lee attends the premiere of the film "Annette" at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. With him, from left, are actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, actress Mélanie Laurent and director Jessica Hausner. Lee was acting as the festival's jury president.
Brynn Anderson/AP