Born & raised in Los Angeles to Korean immigrants, Danny Lee is an award-winning director, writer, and producer, known for sharp storytelling, authenticity, and an innovative style. Lee is known for WHO IS STAN SMITH?, THE STORY OF DUNK and 30 FOR 30: FRIEDMAN'S SHOES. In 2004, Lee made his debut with the critically acclaimed ROCK FRESH, a candid documentary about graffiti artists making the leap to commercial art. Variety singled it out as one of the films to watch at AFI Fest, while making its world premiere on Showtime.
Currently, Lee is working on GHOSTS OF CHINATOWN, a crime drama based on the life of Chinese-American street gangster China Mac with Nina Yang Bongiovi producing; 26.2, an inspirational feature drama about the San Quentin Marathon; directing and producing a feature doc on LIL UZI for HBO; a feature doc on AVRIL LAVIGNE; and more. Previously in scripted, Lee directed the Lionsgate feature PUBLIC DISTURBANCE with Mike Tyson; and created, wrote and directed THE CLINIC on Hulu. Previously in doc, Lee directed and executive produced DEFINING MOMENTS on Hulu and AFTER THE RAVES on Netflix/Red Bull TV. Lee also executive produced the award-winning primetime PBS docuseries BREAKING BIG.
Lee has also directed and produced numerous commercial campaigns for Nike, Nissan, Head & Shoulders, Red Bull, adidas, Intel, Gatorade, McDonald's, and American Express, Jaguar and more. For Nike, THE STORY OF AIR MAX and THE STORY OF DUNK broke viewership records for the company. For Nissan, his branded series WITH DAD won the Best Branded Series at the Cynopsis Awards. For Red Bull, his documentary SKATE OR DIE on high-risk Native American skater kids on the reservation is now part of the Smithsonian Institute. Lee was also the winner of the Korean Film Council Filmmakers Lab for his feature film script WINTER WAR. Lee and his work have also been featured in the New York Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, HuffPost, Salon, Paper Magazine and GQ. Lee is also founder of production company CALICO.
Currently, Lee is working on GHOSTS OF CHINATOWN, a crime drama based on the life of Chinese-American street gangster China Mac with Nina Yang Bongiovi producing; 26.2, an inspirational feature drama about the San Quentin Marathon; directing and producing a feature doc on LIL UZI for HBO; a feature doc on AVRIL LAVIGNE; and more. Previously in scripted, Lee directed the Lionsgate feature PUBLIC DISTURBANCE with Mike Tyson; and created, wrote and directed THE CLINIC on Hulu. Previously in doc, Lee directed and executive produced DEFINING MOMENTS on Hulu and AFTER THE RAVES on Netflix/Red Bull TV. Lee also executive produced the award-winning primetime PBS docuseries BREAKING BIG.
Lee has also directed and produced numerous commercial campaigns for Nike, Nissan, Head & Shoulders, Red Bull, adidas, Intel, Gatorade, McDonald's, and American Express, Jaguar and more. For Nike, THE STORY OF AIR MAX and THE STORY OF DUNK broke viewership records for the company. For Nissan, his branded series WITH DAD won the Best Branded Series at the Cynopsis Awards. For Red Bull, his documentary SKATE OR DIE on high-risk Native American skater kids on the reservation is now part of the Smithsonian Institute. Lee was also the winner of the Korean Film Council Filmmakers Lab for his feature film script WINTER WAR. Lee and his work have also been featured in the New York Times, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, HuffPost, Salon, Paper Magazine and GQ. Lee is also founder of production company CALICO.
Known for
Director
Writer
Producer
IMDb Best of 2022
IMDb Best of 2022
Discover the stars who skyrocketed on IMDb’s STARmeter chart this year, and explore more of the Best of 2022; including top trailers, posters, and photos.
