Spike Lee Pens Heartfelt Note To Parents In Celebration Of His Birthday

Spike Lee is celebrating his 67th birthday by celebrating his late parents. On Wednesday (Mar.20), the revered filmmaker took to Instagram to show his mom and dad some love. He posted a picture of a note that his mother, Jaqueline Shelton Lee, penned to his father’s parents after his birth. Beneath the time-stained documents are baby pictures of Spike Lee at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital. 

He also showed love to his late father, Bill Lee, his late brother Chris, and his siblings, David, Joie, and Cinque Lee. Spike also praised his children, wife, and his ancestors for keeping him inspired and focused. 

“On This Day,March 20th-Da Ist Day Of Spring In Grady Hospital, Atlanta,Georgia In Da Year Of Our Lawd 1957 SHELTON JACKSON “SPIKE” LEE Wuz Born To Parents JACQUELINE SHELTON LEE And WILLIAM BILL,” he typed. “This Framed Letter Was Written By Mother To My Father’s Parents Right After I Wuz Born. My Moms Died From Liver Cancer When I Wuz A Sophomore At Morehouse College And My Father Passed Away This Past Spring. I’m The First Child Of Jackie And Bill,Following By My Late Brother Chris,Then David,Joie, And Cinque.”

“On This Day I Give Love To My Ancestors Who Have Made It All Possible. I Give Thanks To TONYA,SATCHEL And JACKSON Who Keep Me Going With Their Love And Support. Shoutout To A Ton Of Folks Have Helped Me On Da Way. No Way In HELL Could I’ve Done This By Myself. Thank All Of YOUSE?. And Dat’s Da “BIRTHDAY BOY”-Truth,,Ruth. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF.”

And he also made sure to highlight the next movie he’s working on: High and Low. In the midst of his barrage of love, Lee turned his attention to his craft. The director revealed that he and his team were gearing up for the new Spike Lee Joint and his fifth movie with Denzel Washington. 

“Today Is The Last 3 Days Of Pre-Production Before We Commence On My New SPIKE LEE Joint, Also The 5th With Da Great, Da Magnificent, My Brother DENZEL WASHINGTON,” he added. 

Deadline recently reported that Jeffrey Wright was cast in the upcoming project. The movie will be created for Apple and A24 and is an English-language reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s movie of the same name. Kurosawa’s original movie was based on Evan Hunter’s (Ed McBain) 1959 novel, King’s Ransom. 

High and Low follows an executive who becomes the victim of extortion after his chauffeur’s son accidentally gets abducted. However, it’s currently unclear how close or far from the source material Spike Lee would base his movie on.

Only a few details have been given about the film at this time. However, the publication details that High and Low is scheduled to have a theatrical run before being released and streamed on Apple TV+. 

Happy Birthday, Spike Lee! We love you, OG!