
Bill Lee
SoundAbout Bill Lee
William James Edwards Lee (July 23, 1928 – May 24, 2023) was an American musician. He was the father of Spike Lee and Joie Lee. He composed original music for many of his son's films, including She's Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), and Mo' Better Blues (1990). Lee was involved in many releases from the Strata-East jazz record label, including directing the 1980 album The New York Bass Violin Choir. Lee played the bass for many artists, including Chris Anderson, Cat Stevens, Harry Belafonte, Chad Mitchell Trio, Gordon Lightfoot, Aretha Franklin, Odetta, Simon and Garfunkel, Ian & Sylvia, Tom Rush, Burt Bacharach, Peter, Paul and Mary, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Carolyn Hester, John Lee Hooker, Josh White, Duke Ellington, Malvina Reynolds, Eric Bibb, The Clancy Brothers, and Bob Dylan. On the original release of Dylan's classic song "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," Lee, on bass guitar, is the only musician performing other than Dylan himself. On Gordon Lightfoot's song Oh, Linda (recorded 1964), Lee is also the only musician other than Lightfoot's voice. Description above from the Wikipedia article Bill Lee (musician), licensed under CC BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Bill Lee reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 3 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Bill Lee's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 67% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Bill Lee remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in She's Gotta Have It, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Bill Lee Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Bill Lee's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Bill Lee.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Mo' Better Blues | Father of the Bride | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | School Daze | Phil Hyman Quartet - Bass | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | She's Gotta Have It | Sonny Darling | Hit | Similar → |
Bill Lee - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Bill Lee?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bill Lee is "She's Gotta Have It" with a rating of 6.6/10.
How many movies has Bill Lee acted in?
Bill Lee has been featured in at least 3 major films throughout their career.


