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IMDbPro

William Lee(XII)

  • Director
  • Writer
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
William Lee in A Cold Day in Hell (2014)
Trailer for 3 Knee Deep
Play trailer0:31
Gangsters Incorporated (2015)
2 Videos
34 Photos
An independent film director for three decades, he has known how difficult it is to make a film with little financial backing and huge amounts of unasked-for advice. His passion for what he does has kept him moving forward in the face of staggering challenges.

Born in New York, Lee's father A World War two veteran and aircraft engineer moved the family westward when William was 6 years old, but not way out west, as in La La land (rumor has it that Lee's father was staunch New Yorker who hated phonies!), but the Midwest--The State of Ohio to be exact.

After seeing Kung Fu legend, and martial arts movie legend Bruce Lee on screen for the first time in 1974, Lee asked his father to purchase a movie camera so that he might replicate the famous martial artists' exploits--albeit on a smaller scale. Within a year of picking up a movie camera, Lee received his first film award at the Eye Music Festival of San Francisco. Since then, he has directed over 30 film projects.

Outside of the obvious controversy, Lee has found that black film making has come to a complete halt in terms of creativity. The era of "hood/ghetto/gangsta" films seems to keep hanging on, with the same tired plots and imagery. Lee has found it impossible to find funding because he steers clear of typical material.

Until his first major release Code: Black, in 2007, Lee had been virtually unknown. His films languished in obscure film fests,Midwestern film premieres, and on-line sites like Indieflix.com. Never quirky enough to interest Sundance, too action filled to be praised in major "refined" film circles, never peopled by major or even sub-major stars, financed totally from Lee's various day jobs, he has spent every year since 1974 chasing that dream. The dream that one day he could be seen for what he is. Not a black filmmaker, but a filmmaker who makes non stereotypical, well written action films with a message. Nothing more, nothing less.

Unfortunately, in spite of his growing reputation as a talented director, the color of his skin remained a problem as investors showed a lack of confidence in the ability of an African-American to direct a produce a money making film. He constantly had to turn to friends and family for financial backing.Determination and persistence are the heart and soul of William Lee. These qualities were ultimately tested by a challenge that would shatter a lesser man. As if what he had endured before was not daunting enough, Lee had to deal with something far worse than the usual backstabbing of the movie industry: life-threatening cancer-like Systemic Lupus.

Diagnosed in 1997, the disease required him to undergo surgery, treatment with experimental drugs, and chemotherapy for the better part of two years. In addition to substantial weight loss, Will Lee was forced to contend with a gaping hole in his side, and physical debilitation that resulted in lengthy periods during which a wheel chair was his only way of getting around. In spite of the intense pain and temporary setbacks, he eventually forced a miracle. The affliction that once placed his life in jeopardy is now in remission, and he is a fully functioning member of the community: a testimony to medical advances and his own desire to live. Having overcome the danger, but realizing there is no cure for the disease, this Lupus survivor today smiles at the memory of the experience.
BornOctober 14, 1961
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornOctober 14, 1961
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro

Photos34

William Lee in Bulletproof Jesus
William Lee in Treasure of the Ninja (1987)
William Lee and Brittany Picard in 6 Feet Below Hell (2017)
William Lee in 6 Feet Below Hell (2017)
William Lee in Treasure of the Ninja 2
William Lee in Black Wolf (2022)
William Lee in Black Wolf (2022)
William Lee in Black Wolf (2022)
William Lee, Michael Matthew Moore, and Carolyn L Seymour in Black Wolf (2022)
William Lee in Black Mamba (2019)
William Lee in 6 Feet Below Hell (2017)
William Lee in Head Banger

Known for

William Lee in A Cold Day in Hell (2014)
A Cold Day in Hell
4.6
  • Director
  • 2014
William Lee in Demons Rising (2008)
Demons Rising
4.7
  • Director
  • 2008
William Lee in Bulletproof Jesus
Bulletproof Jesus
  • Director
    Dragon vs. Ninja (1984)
    Dragon vs. Ninja
    5.1
    • Director
    • 1984

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Director

    • Bulletproof Jesus
      • Director
      • Completed
    • Treasure of the Ninja 2
      • Director
      • Completed
    • Head Banger
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Laura Radi, William Lee, and Grace Kelly in Black Wolf (2022)
      Black Wolf
      • Director
      • 2022
    • Willie Jack in the Jungle
      • Director
      • Short
      • 2021
    • The Revenge of Willie Jack (2021)
      The Revenge of Willie Jack
      • Director
      • Short
      • 2021
    • The Return of Willie Jack (2021)
      The Return of Willie Jack
      • Director
      • Short
      • 2021
    • Willie Jack (2021)
      Willie Jack
      • Director
      • Short
      • 2021
    • The Goocher (2020)
      The Goocher
      • Director
      • 2020
    • Angela D. Williams in Black Mamba (2019)
      Black Mamba
      • Director
      • 2019
    • Dawna Lee Heising in Eye on Entertainment (2005)
      Eye on Entertainment
      • Director
      • TV Series
      • 2018
    • Nicholas George Castle in 6 Feet Below Hell (2017)
      6 Feet Below Hell
      • Director
      • 2017
    • Angela D. Williams, Banza Pandora J. Townsend, Dominick Wilkins, and David Beamen in Straight Outta' H8 (2016)
      Straight Outta' H8
      • Director
      • 2016
    • William Lee in 3 Knee Deep (2016)
      3 Knee Deep
      • Director
      • 2016
    • Kef Lee and Corum Sanford in Gangsters Incorporated (2015)
      Gangsters Incorporated
      • Director
      • 2015
    • William Lee in A Cold Day in Hell (2014)
      A Cold Day in Hell
      • Director
      • 2014
    • Dark Target (2010)
      Dark Target
      • Director
      • 2010
    • Sylvester Person in Code Black (2008)
      Code Black
      • Director
      • Video
      • 2008

    Writer

    • Bulletproof Jesus
      • created by (creator)
      • Completed
    • Treasure of the Ninja 2
      • Writer
      • Completed
    • Head Banger
      • writer
      • Pre-production
    • Laura Radi, William Lee, and Grace Kelly in Black Wolf (2022)
      Black Wolf
      • Writer
      • 2022
    • The Goocher (2020)
      The Goocher
      • Writer
      • 2020
    • Angela D. Williams in Black Mamba (2019)
      Black Mamba
      • Writer
      • 2019
    • Athens County Massacre (2018)
      Athens County Massacre
      • Writer
      • 2018
    • Nicholas George Castle in 6 Feet Below Hell (2017)
      6 Feet Below Hell
      • Writer
      • 2017
    • Angela D. Williams, Banza Pandora J. Townsend, Dominick Wilkins, and David Beamen in Straight Outta' H8 (2016)
      Straight Outta' H8
      • Writer
      • 2016
    • William Lee in 3 Knee Deep (2016)
      3 Knee Deep
      • Writer
      • 2016
    • Kef Lee and Corum Sanford in Gangsters Incorporated (2015)
      Gangsters Incorporated
      • Writer
      • 2015
    • William Lee in A Cold Day in Hell (2014)
      A Cold Day in Hell
      • original story and screen play
      • 2014
    • Dark Target (2010)
      Dark Target
      • screenplay
      • 2010
    • Sylvester Person in Code Black (2008)
      Code Black
      • Writer
      • Video
      • 2008
    • William Lee in Demons Rising (2008)
      Demons Rising
      • writer
      • 2008
    • Crak'd Pipes: Meeting of the Assassins
      • Writer
      • Video
      • 2007
    • John Woodruff in Soulripperz (2006)
      Soulripperz
      • screenplay
      • 2006
    • William Lee in Room 13: The Terrorist Project (2003)
      Room 13: The Terrorist Project
      • head writer
      • Video
      • 2003

    Actor

    • Red White and Black
      • Zel Jennings
      • Pre-production
    • Bulletproof Jesus
      • Jesus
      • Completed
    • Treasure of the Ninja 2
      • Magneta Faze
      • Completed
    • Head Banger
      • Max Raines
      • Pre-production
    • Laura Radi, William Lee, and Grace Kelly in Black Wolf (2022)
      Black Wolf
      • Billy Blackwolf
      • 2022
    • Angela D. Williams in Black Mamba (2019)
      Black Mamba
      • Cassius Rexx
      • 2019
    • Nicholas George Castle in 6 Feet Below Hell (2017)
      6 Feet Below Hell
      • Zakariah Stone
      • 2017
    • Angela D. Williams, Banza Pandora J. Townsend, Dominick Wilkins, and David Beamen in Straight Outta' H8 (2016)
      Straight Outta' H8
      • Magnus X
      • 2016
    • William Lee in 3 Knee Deep (2016)
      3 Knee Deep
      • Ghost
      • 2016
    • Kef Lee and Corum Sanford in Gangsters Incorporated (2015)
      Gangsters Incorporated
      • Vinny Vincenzo
      • 2015
    • William Lee in A Cold Day in Hell (2014)
      A Cold Day in Hell
      • Jesus Christ
      • 2014
    • Death of the Dead (2011)
      Death of the Dead
      • Evil Sensei
      • Video
      • 2011
    • Dark Target (2010)
      Dark Target
      • Mister Lee
      • 2010
    • Sylvester Person in Code Black (2008)
      Code Black
      • Antonio Remy
      • Video
      • 2008
    • William Lee in Demons Rising (2008)
      Demons Rising
      • Matthias Locke
      • 2008
    • John Woodruff in Soulripperz (2006)
      Soulripperz
      • Quo
      • 2006
    • William Lee in Room 13: The Terrorist Project (2003)
      Room 13: The Terrorist Project
      • Mister Stratton
      • Video
      • 2003
    • Superfights (1996)
      Superfights
      • Gang Member
      • Fighter
      • 1996
    • William Lee in Edge of Tolerance (1991)
      Edge of Tolerance
      • Elton Shabazz
      • Video
      • 1991

    Videos2

    3 Knee Deep
    Trailer 0:31
    3 Knee Deep
    Code: Black
    Trailer 2:11
    Code: Black

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official site
      • Official Blog
    • Height
      • 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
    • Born
      • October 14, 1961
      • New York City, New York, USA

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Lee actually helped Jimi Hendrix carry his guitars across the lawn at Woodstock.

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