Spike Lee Honors Parents with Father’s Day Portrait
Filmmaker salutes jazz musician dad and teacher mom with warm family moment shared online.
Image: Instagram
Spike Lee took to Instagram on June 16 to roll out a special Father’s Day greeting for his fans. In a stylized caption he wrote:
“G👀D MAWNIN’. This Is MR.BILL LEE And Ms. JACKIE LEE. My Father And Mother. Portrait By Chester Higgins. Happy Father’s Day To One And All. Daddy’s Have A Blessed Day. Peace And LO💜E. YA-DIG❓SHO-NUFF”
Translated loosely, Lee’s message reads: “Good morning. This is Mr. Bill Lee and Ms. Jackie Lee—my father and mother. Portrait by Chester Higgins. Happy Father’s Day to everyone. Dads have a blessed day. Peace and love. You know? Absolutely.” The post, shared on his verified Instagram handle @officialspikelee, features a striking black-and-white image of his parents captured by acclaimed photographer Chester Higgins.
Portrait By Chester Higgins Pays Tribute To Lee’s Parents
The photograph hails from a collaboration between Lee and Higgins, whose work has appeared in The New York Times and Time magazine. In the frame, Bill Lee sits at ease beside Jackie Lee, both gazing just off camera. Lee’s choice of Higgins underscores his respect for artists who document authentic family narratives. Fans flooded the comments section with praise, noting the warm contrast of the couple’s expressions and the timeless quality of the portrait.
The image joins a growing list of Lee’s personal snapshots on social media. He frequently posts behind-the-scenes glimpses from his Brooklyn home and 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks studio. But this Father’s Day salute stands out for its focus on two names central to Lee’s own story of creativity and community.
Bill And Jackie Lee: A Creative Legacy
Bill Lee, a veteran jazz bassist and composer, scored several of Spike Lee’s early films—including “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986) and “Do the Right Thing” (1989). A staple of New York’s jazz circuit, Bill’s melodic lines and improvisational style helped shape the sonic identity of Lee’s breakout features. On Father’s Day, Lee acknowledged not only his dad’s music but also his calm presence off screen.
Jackie Lee worked for decades as a teacher in New York City public schools. Her influence on Lee’s storytelling is often cited in interviews: she encouraged critical thinking, community engagement and a love of reading from an early age. In 2011, Lee dedicated a segment of his Oscar broadcast to Jackie, thanking her for instilling values that would guide his filmmaking.
Spike Lee’s career spans more than three decades. He broke ground with “Malcolm X” (1992), directed ensemble dramas such as “He Got Game” (1998) and ventured into streaming with “Da 5 Bloods” (2020) on Netflix. Along the way, he has woven personal and cultural histories into his narratives. This year he’s also launching a Juneteenth apparel collaboration celebrating Malcolm X’s 100th birthday, partnering with Ilyasah Shabazz and X Legacy. But for one morning in June, Lee pressed pause on high-profile projects to celebrate family.
Shareable and sincere, the Instagram tribute brings Lee’s close-knit roots into the spotlight. Fans of all ages took to social media to wish “Mr. Bill” and “Ms. Jackie” a happy Father’s Day in return, posting memories of childhood visits to 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks or jazz shows in Brooklyn bars.
Going beyond Hollywood acclaim, Spike Lee’s post is a reminder that, at the heart of every artist, is a family story. On Father’s Day he paid homage to the duo who shaped his worldview—and did so with style, substance and a single, elegant photograph by Chester Higgins.
Spike Lee’s message wraps up with two enduring notes: peace and love. They’re values he’s carried from his parents’ living room to theaters around the world, and to an Instagram audience eager to celebrate the Lees alongside him.
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