Spike Lee: "I'm Not Rich Rich"

UPDATE:
Apparently The Observer buys old New Yorker interviews, as this Spike Lee first appeared in last September's issue, and is now re-appearing for Lee's "Miracle at St Anna" UK release with no disclaimer that it is not original.

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Spike Lee gave a long interview to Britain's Sunday Observer, and explained to the reporter that despite a Manhattan townhouse, Martha's Vineyard home and kids in private school, he is not wealthy:

He told me he had always intended his kids to go, as he did, to state schools. "But my wife put the kibosh on that," he said. Lee balks at being described as wealthy. "It's not rich rich," he told me. "Rich is Spielberg. Lucas. Gates. Steve Jobs. Jay-Z! Bruce Springsteen. I'm not complaining. But that's money. Will Smith. Oprah Winfrey - that's a ton of money. Compared to them, I'm on welfare!"

The interview, which took place at intervals in 2008 before Barack Obama's election, also relays Lee's distaste for the Clintons and Cindy McCain:

"Who's going to be the vice-presidential pick?" Robin Burgess, the session co-ordinator and Blanchard's wife, asked.

"As long as it's not Hillary," Lee said.

"You know," Blanchard said in a wondering tone, "we got friends uptown who say they can't stand Michelle. I mean, what about McCain's wife?"

"Stepford wife," Lee muttered.

"I used to like Bill Clinton," Blanchard said.

Lee shook his head. "They showed their hand," he said.

Comments

[sunny555]

I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time, Spike. I really disliked your portrayal of Ita lian Americans in the movie Jungle Fever. You made all your I-A characters out to be chauva nistic, low -class, close-minded, hair-trigger temper ra cists. You obviously don't know many I-A's, because your stereoptypical characterization of them was way off and very unfair.

The movie su cked.

[ApolloniaCreed]

I'm assuming you also have problems with The Sopranos and the Godfather trilogy as well? No?

[DrJimmy]

You have to admit....Spike hates Italians...

[FaceYourFears]

As if Spike cares what you think!

[aznurse]

How did you feel about "Do the Right Thing"? I lived in Ft. Green when that movie came out. Just around that time a black kid was beaten to death in Sheepsheadbay/Bensonhurst area by the "locals"
with baseball bats for walking in the neighborhood. I think that movie really captured what was going on at that time. I wasn't crazy about Jungle Fever, I thought it was boring.
But his movie about Malcom X soared!

[ctekin]

That is like saying I don't like cocaine, I just like the way it smells when I suck it up my nose.

I guess being a brilliant film maker doesn't mean that you can't make stupid comments from time to time that make good huffpost headlines when taken out of context.

And yes, I said brilliant. Inside Man, Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing are three of my favorite movies of all time.

[FaceYourFears]

I totally agree with him about the Clintons!

[Sonny50]

Most racists do.

[Stew118]

25th hour was really good too and underrated. Ed Norton, Phillip Hoffman, Rosario Dawson provide for some excellent acting. I liked Clockers and Mo Betta Blues alot also.

[FaceYourFears]

Malcolm X....my favorite!

[ctekin]

25th hour IS very good. To tell you the truth, I forgot about that one. Rosario Dawson was the girlfriend. Ed Norton was dealing with his incoming imprisonement. Very heavy film, and Ed Norton was great.

[Pupster]

Like most people, Spike only compares himself to those who have more than he. We all do it. Very few of us look at those who make less or are poor and say to ourselves, Wow, we're doing great!

[sunny555]

I wouldn't mind being "not rich-rich" just like Spike.

[Aesthete]

Wealth and poverty are relative terms. I've heard of rich people who felt poor because someone else was richer. Even movie stars of the 1930s competed to see who had the biggest yacht or the longest Rolls Royce. Silly, but true.

[HallStyle]

Spike is not in the league as the ones he mentioned. But he doesn't need to come off as if he is hurting for anything. Success shouldn't be looked down apone. If he got money, more power to him. Don't try to act like you still feel what the Poor people feel or that you haven't forgot where you came from. It doesn't matter you don't got anything to prove to anyone. Do YOU! Take care of your family stay low key, humble and Get that Money! F!U@K what everyone else thinks. In my opinion wealth isn't determined by how much money you got. It is measured in how happy you are! Whats a few Million if you are miserable?

[1099]

"Whats a few Million if you are miserable?"

Go tell that to all the people who have been losing their jobs every week.

It's really easy to say money doesn't matter when you don't have any.

[Pastprologue]

It's really easy to say money doesn't matter when you are rich.

[Aesthete]

If you're engaged in an occupation that you enjoy and you're not starving, you're rich!

[SeanOcali]

Anyone remember his character "Mars Blockman" in all those Nike spots with Michael Jordan? He must have made at least a few million off that. And that was in the 80's. The guy has been consistently making really good money for decades now. Some of his movies are bonafied classics that he'll make royalties from for the rest of his life. If he had invested wisely he could be "rich-rich" but apparently he didn't. He's also no doubt turned down very high paying gigs. There is no question he's had numerous opportunities to direct big-budget films but either turned them down or was too demanding for artistic control.

[ApolloniaCreed]

He didn't make E.T. or Starwars; so that would probably leave him without Spielburg or Lucas money. I don't understand what part of that concept is hard to grasp or how it would offend anyone. He is basically saying they have an extra 0 or two on him. He's not saying he is destitute.

[HarlemFreeThought]

The character, "Mars Blackmon" originated in the film "She's Gotta Have it". Ok so he's not "rich-rich" but with this body of work http://www.inmotionmagazine.com/slee2.html, speaks of dedicated craftsman. For all the Spike hater's at HP, let's see you produce and output equal to his. He's done quite well for a person of color in a close shop industry.

[SeanOcali]

Who's hating? I'm a big fan of his.

[FaceYourFears]

I understand why some people are put off by Spike.....when Black men are storng, talented and outspoken, they're often seen as uppity or arrogant, "out of their place" so to speak. Spike, keep doing your thing!

[robXdion]

Yup, and when that doesn't work, they must be gay. These people can't cope with their own insecurities and black men intimidate them.

[fresno500]

Can anyone rebut robXdion with the same intelligence that he used in expressing himself or is your entire rebuttal argument sophmoric insults and name calling?

I think you have the minimum qualifications to switch to the GOP.


begone

[robXdion]

You noticed that too, huh? A lot of my stalkers can't do that. They just cling to a generalized descriptor of my comments that helps them emotionally lash out. They can't defend their initial comments and ignorance so they open up with a barrage of childish insults. Their tone and manic slurs actually betrays their deranged mentality and ruins any reasonable argument they could have. Some actually claim to be black too. LOL!!

[sunny555]

My relatives live in Brooklyn, and they are nothing like the Ital ian American people in Spike's movies. That would be like saying all the Afr ican Americans in Har lem were dr ug abusing h o es and pi m ps. Stereotypes can hurt, and I've noticed Spike is more vic ious than most in his portrayals.

If it were the other way around and his Black characters were as tra shy as his White, there would be a national outr age.

P.S. I agree that when people disagree on a blog, they should NOT resort to name-calling. I've noticed that trend, too, and it stinks.

[Pastprologue]

Nice try,robXdion

[robXdion]

LOL!! I didn't write that. Don't get mad because I have supporters that see right through you and others.

[kottison]

Some of you guys are overstating what he said which is he's rich just not super rich like Bill Gates or somebody else you know who's balling.

[markinaz]

C'mon Spike. Let's call a spade a spade. If you've got seven figures in your bank account, you're rich. You may not be Oprah rich, but let's face it, you're better off than 98% of the people in the world. Quit whining.

[sunny555]

He can make a commercial overseas and rake in a million easily.

Not only is he rich, but he can earn more in a heartbeat -- even in this horrid economy.

[ABCD]

I heard no whining in that interview. And, let there be no doubt that was an interview. Some one asked him a question and he answered it.

STOP HATING!

[Patriot68]

Boo hoo. More whining from the #1 complainer. He should come to my neighborhood and moan about how poor he is, he'd get jacked for sure.

[whatevahs]

Are you kidding? Spike would never stoop so low as to actually be seen in one of the neighborhoods where those people he claims to understand and be speaking for live! He'd rather look down his nose at them with disdain and disgust as he has for so many years.

[sunny555]

You are so right about that.

[ApolloniaCreed]

...and what would make you privy to that information?

[LittlePurpleUSA]

Spike has been robbed a couple of times of Oscar noms for best film (Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X)

[Scornful]

Sure, yea, remember, Tawana told the truth...

[sunny555]

And all white people are ra cist

[leatherbunny]

Wealth is not always measured by the amount of cash you have in the bank. Spike Lee may not be rich - rich, but he is by far wealthier than most in his talents and wisdom.

[whatevahs]

LOL
"talent and wisdom"
That made me laugh out loud. Thank you for helping me start the day with a chuckle.

[chickenpieeggs]

well Spike, you ain't po either!

you should try doing movies for little kids....and cast her :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo5cCmbnWTc

[Pastprologue]

You can get off your kness now.

[leatherbunny]

You can stop dreaming. I won't bring your race into this, but I don't take orders from B'tch0s like you.

[whatevahs]

Poor little Spike! He should just get the word "victim" tattooed on his forehead.

[cobobs]

His prickly spat with Clint? That was healthy. People should not be allowed to make movies like they did in the 60s. Allen makes movies about NYC in which no blacks or hispanics exist. I like his movies too, don't get me wrong.