Bio
Jason Lee is an American actor best known for his starring role as Earl Hickey in the television comedy series My Name is Earl, from 2005-2009.
He also starred as Dwight Hendricks in the comedy-drama police procedural television series Memphis Beat, from 2010-2011.
With a flourishing career that includes an Independent Spirit Award for his performance in writer-director Kevin Smith’s film Chasing Amy and memorable roles in multiple features for such directors as Cameron Crowe and Lawrence Kasdan, Lee has solidly established himself among critics, directors and his peers.
Lee starred and was a producer of the comedy series My Name Is Earl, about a hapless crook who has an epiphany after winning a small fortune in the lottery. Determined to change his karma, he sets out to right all the wrongs he’s inflicted on people.
Lee co-starred as the voice of “Syndrome” in the Academy Award-winning animated feature The Incredibles. The film focused on a group of superheroes who are called into action to save the world from a nemesis from their past.
He also appeared in writer-director Rebecca Miller’s feature, The Ballad of Jack and Rose with Daniel Day-Lewis, Catherine Keener, Camilla Belle and Jena Malone.
Lee can also be spotted in director Adam Goldberg’s psychological drama, I Love Your Work, opposite Giovanni Ribisi, Franka Potente and Christina Ricci.
Born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, Lee turned a childhood pastime of skateboarding into a professional career. However, once moving to Los Angeles during his early 20s, he began developing an interest in acting.
After watching Steve Buscemi as the bellboy in Barton Fink, Lee knew that he wanted to be in movies.
His big break came in 1995 with the lead role in writer-director Smith’s comedy, Mallrats, in which he deftly portrayed the inconsiderate slacker, Brodie.
Lee then went on to star in Smith’s Chasing Amy, for which he won an Independent Spirit Award for best supporting male for his role as Banky, and as the demonic Azrael in Smith’s supernatural comedy Dogma.
He reunited with Smith in the comedy, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Lee has also appeared in Lawrence Kasdan’s ensemble thriller, Dreamcatcher (with Thomas Jane and Donnie Wahlberg), and had the lead role in A Guy Thing with Julia Stiles and Selma Blair.
Lee also starred in Cameron Crowe’s Golden Globe-winning ensemble feature, Almost Famous, in the role of Jeff Bebe, the lead singer of a 1970s rock band called Stillwater. He then re-teamed with Crowe on the writer-director’s Vanilla Sky.
Lee’s film credits include director Barry Sonnenfeld’s ensemble comedy Big Trouble, the comedy Heartbreakers, Lawrence Kasdan’s ensemble comedy Mumford, Enemy of the State, Kissing a Fool and American Cuisine.
Lee is an avid collector of art and is very involved in helping to further the art scene in downtown Los Angeles. He has also re-launched the skateboard company, Stereo Skateboard, with longtime friend Chris Pastras.
Lee belongs to the Church of Scientology. He was formerly engaged to Leverage star Beth Riesgraf. They have a son named Pilot Inspektor Riesgraf-Lee.