Born in Orange, California in 1970, Jason Lee is an American film photographer, actor, producer, and director. Well known for having been a professional skateboarder during skateboarding's very pivotal late 80s and early 90s, Lee would go on to pursue acting in 1993, working in film, television, and voiceover, and with such directors as Kevin Smith, Cameron Crowe, Lawrence Kasdan, and Brad Bird. Retiring from skateboarding in 1995, Lee has maintained solid ties to the industry, most notably through his partnership with longtime friend and fellow ex-professional skateboarder, Chris Pastras, and their now 25-year-old skate brand, Stereo Skateboards, which Lee co-manages with Pastras. In 2002, Lee developed a passion for film photography and has been an active photographer and film advocate ever since, having had his work both published and exhibited throughout the years. In October 2016, Lee published a selection of small and large format Polaroid and Fuji instant film photographs spanning a decade as a special limited hardbound issue of Fort Worth-based Refueled Magazine. Just 500 sold-out signed and numbered copies were produced, with three of those copies now living in the libraries of the SFMOMA, Amon Carter, and Philbrook museums. Lee's next publication, to be released in 2017, will be a book comprised of large format color film photographs made throughout Texas. Lee is also the subject of a 2018 documentary from director Greg Hunt that will take the viewer on the road with him as he exposes his remaining boxes of now-expired 8x10 Polaroid film, a favorite medium of Lee's and one that is no longer being produced. An accompanying book of the large format Polaroids will be published, with the originals being exhibited. Additionally in 2018, Lee will be publishing and exhibiting selections of B&W film photographs from the past 10 years, with the collection's focus primarily on the West Coast and Southwest. Lee has also produced and directed music videos for Beck and the band Midlake, a short documentary and live concert film featuring Midlake, two Stereo Skateboards films, and a previously unreleased 2006 short film starring Giovanni Ribisi and Beth Riesgraf, which will have its online debut in 2017. 'Acting has been a lot of fun, and I've liked that I've been able to bounce around a bit, and that I was able to make some movies for my kids, do some dramas, play 'Earl,' work with Pixar... It's a fun gig. And I enjoy being a part of that bigger process. But just as with skateboarding, photography is much more uniquely personal, and more of an independent endeavor. Very fulfilling. I look forward to continuing to work as an actor, as I do maintaining my ties to skateboarding and having Stereo as the outlet that it's been for me for over two decades now, and perhaps directing more projects, but photography will remain my primary creative focus as it has been for the past 15 years.' Lee can be followed on Instagram at @jasonlee, @stereoskateboards, and @filmphotographic, an Instagram film community gallery and resource page founded by Lee in 2015.
Dropped out of high school to be a pro skate boarder.
Retired from skateboarding in 1995 after being pro for 7 years.
Co-Owner of Stereo Skateboards with Chris Pastras.
Was cast as Loki in Dogma , but had to take a smaller part (Azrael) because of scheduling conflicts, so the role went to Matt Damon. His performance as Azrael would lead to him being cast in The Incredibles
Mentioned a number of occasions in the autobiography of skating legend Tony Hawk , "Hawk: Occupation Skateboarder".
Given a shoe deal from Airwalk during his skateboarding days.
Attended Ocean View High School, (Huntington Beach, CA).
Became infamous for naming his son Pilot Inspektor.
Godfather of Kevin Smith s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith.
Has voiced both a hero and a villain in Disney films - he played the voice of the title character in Underdog and was the voice of maniacal madman "Syndrome" in Disney/Pixars The Incredibles .
His daughter, born in 2008, is named Casper.
During an interview with friend Kevin Smith , Lee stated that he was inspired to become an actor by the Coen brothers film, Barton Fink , particularly by Steve Buscemi s performance as "Chet".
He has appeared in seven films directed by Kevin Smith : Mallrats , Chasing Amy , Dogma , Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back , Jersey Girl , Clerks II and Cop Out .
On his performance as a rock star in Almost Famous (2000) : "I,wanted to be very serious about being a musician -- a guy who cares a,lot about the music and the band and why we did it in the first place.
We wanted to show an actual passion on stage with the intent of turning,on the audience. ",(On skateboarding injuries) I have scars on my knees from smashing into,the corner of cement benches. I have scars on my pelvis from jumping,off my board and sliding like Superman down a hill. One time I snapped,my wrist in half and had to get a cast on my arm. Like an idiot, I,skated before the cast was taken off, and I fell again and broke my,other arm. For the next three months I had to brush my teeth using only,my thumb and pinkie.
Growing up in Huntington Beach, you were either a traditional sports athlete, a skateboarder, or a surfer. I got my first skateboard when I was five and skated off and on over the years, did a little BMX racing as a kid, and then in my freshman or sophomore year I started getting a little bit more into skateboarding.
When you reach a certain status in Hollywood, you have to play a lot of games to stay in the limelight. It becomes more about being famous than being an actor.
Celebrities say they date other celebrities because they have the same job. But I think they just like dating famous people. Celebrities attract each other, like cattle. .
