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Jason Lee
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Mini biography
Born and raised in Southern California, Jason Lee took up skateboarding at age 13. By 18 he was on the professional skateboarding circuit, where he wowed legions of young fans and popularized a move called the "360 flip." Inspired to tap into the commercial aspect of the sport, Lee and a friend started the twin companies Stereo Skateboards and Stereo Sounds Clothing. In the early 1990's, Lee took his tricks in front of the camera, appearing in several music videos--including one for the Sonic Youth song "100%," directed by Spike Jonze. Lee got his first taste of straight acting the next year, when he turned up alongside Jonze as a teenage drug customer in Allison Anders's Mi vida loca (1993).
Lee's movie career began in earnest when he landed a lead role in Kevin Smith's Mallrats (1995) (at his very first audition, according to Smith). While the film was almost universally panned, Lee received high marks from critics and audiences for his turn as "cynical sidekick" Brodie Bruce. Smith was so pleased with Brodie that he wrote a part for Lee in his next film, Chasing Amy (1997): Ben Affleck's cranky roommate and comic book partner Banky. Lee won an Independent Spirit Award for his performance.
After appearing in several indies and a made-for-TV movie, Lee crossed over into mainstream circles with Kissing a Fool (1998). Starring opposite David Schwimmer and Mili Avital, he played a writer who works through his last breakup by writing a book. In 1999, Lee landed two significant acting gigs: one as the embittered fallen angel Azrael in Kevin Smith's Dogma (1999), and another as the eccentric young billionaire Skip Skipperton in Mumford (1999). He then went to work on Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous (2000), in which he plays the lead singer of the fictional '70's band Stillwater.
Lee maintains a relatively low profile, but cohorts Smith and Affleck insist that he's one of the funniest and most gentlemanly actors in the business. He lives with his wife, actress Carmen Lee (I), who has appeared in several of his movies.
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Spouse
Carmen Lee (I) (July 1995 - July 2001) (separated)
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Trivia
Dropped out of high school to be a pro skate boarder.
Professional skateboarder. Retired from skateboarding in 1996 after being pro for 7 years.
Owner of Stereo manufacturing Corp. (Skateboard company)
Was sent the script for Boogie Nights (1997) but decided not to pursue a role in the film.
Was cast as Loki in Dogma (1999), but had to take a smaller part (Azrael) because of scheduling conflicts, so the role went to Matt Damon. |  |
