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How did Spike Lee meet Tonya Lewis Lee? Actor reveals he ditched his date after seeing now-wife for the first time

The couple got married on Oct. 2, 1993, and have two š˜¤š˜©š˜Ŗš˜­š˜„ren.

Photo by JC Olivera/WireImage

Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee at the 2022 EBONY Power 100.

Spike LeeĀ and his wife,Ā Tonya Lewis Lee, have been married since 1993 and have become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable power couples. The duo met at a Black Caucus dinner and have two kids,Ā SatchelĀ and sonĀ Jackson. Here is a timeline of the couple’s love story.

1992

 

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Spike Lee Tonya Lewis Lee & three large bodyguards at the screening of Malcolm X.

The couple, who met at a Congressional Black Caucus dinner in 1992, attended a screening of his movieĀ Malcolm XĀ that same year.

1993

 

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Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee at ‘Knicks Basketball Game’ on May 2, 1993 at Madison Square Garden.

In 1993, the couple said, “I do.” Here, they can be seen heading to Master Square Gardens to check out the filmmaker’s favorite basketball team, the Knicks.

1994

 

Photo by J. Kempin/FilmMagic

Tonya Lewis Lee, Satchel Lee and Spike Lee during NYU’s Tisch School of The Arts and The Kanbar Institute of Film and Television Filmmakers Gala.

In 1994, the couple welcomed their first š˜¤š˜©š˜Ŗš˜­š˜„,Ā Satchel Lee. In this 2005 image, the family can be seen together at the Tish School Of Arts Gala.

1997

 

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Spike Lee, Jackson, Satchel and wife Tanya at the 63rd Venice Film Festival.

Jackson Lee,Ā who was š›šØš«š§ in 1997 Ā and appeared in the filmĀ Red Hook Summer, written and directed by his dad spoke about coming to the realization that his father was a well-known director. “It was in fourth grade whenĀ Inside ManĀ came out. All my friends came to school on the Monday after, and they were like, ā€œOh my God, your dadā€™s movieā€™s amazing!ā€ He toldĀ the Hollywood ReporterĀ inĀ 2021. “I loved seeing my dad working, but I didnā€™t truly understand the magnitude of it. I thought my dad was just a big Knicks fan, honestly, because on the street, everyone was all like, ā€œOh, Spike! How ā€™bout the Knicks?ā€

1998

 

Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee at 70th Annual Academy Awards.

The married couple were in perfect sync at the 70th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 1998. This was also the year that the director of one of his films,Ā He Got Game, starringĀ Denzel Washington, opened at number one at the U.S. box office.

2002

 

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Spike Lee and Tonya during “25th Hour” New York City Premiere.

In 2002,Ā 25th HourĀ was released and referred to byĀ GQ magazineĀ as “the best and most accurate depiction of a post-9/11 New York City.” Spike told the outlet, ā€œThis was about the soul of New York City,ā€ he said. ā€œI made this film for New Yorkers, and I think they understand this is about themā€”this is for them.ā€

2008

 

Photo by Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage

Spike Lee, Jackson, Satchel and Tonya Lewis Lee attend “Miracle At St. Anna” premiere in Rome, Italy.

TheĀ She’s Gotta Have It Ā writer and director has always been willing to tackle tough topics in his movies, andĀ The Miracle at St. AnnaĀ was no different. The story depicts an unspeakable massacre in a small village in Tuscany. Here, the family attends its premiere at Warner Moderno Cinema in Rome, Italy.

2015

 

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Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee her Surprise Birthday Party at The Skylark on March 30, 2015.

The director and producer threw a š›š¢š«š­š”day surprise bash for his wife at The Skylark on March 30, 2015, in New York City. Lewis Lee also launchedĀ Movita OrganicsĀ in that same year. She founded the brand to advocate for women’s health. The mom of two also has written two š˜¤š˜©š˜Ŗš˜­š˜„ren’s books,Ā Please Baby PleaseĀ andĀ Please Puppy Please.

2021

 

Photo by Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Jackson Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, Spike Lee and Satchel Lee at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards Jan. 2019.

Like their parents, Satchel and Jackson are a part of the arts. In 2021, the siblings were named Golden Globes Ambassadors. Jackson, a director who has started a creative agency, was the first Black male to hold that honor, and Satchel was the first openly queer person. ā€œI am a photographer, filmmaker, writer, creative director, and producer,ā€ Satchel told theĀ New York Times. ā€œI want to be the Gertrude Stein of this generation.ā€

2023

 

Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for British Film Institute

Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee at the The BFI Fellowship is awarded to Spike Lee.

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