Lee's acting career began with a supporting role in the 1967 film "Hotel", where he read a scene opposite a friend as a favor in an audition. This led to his first screen test, a love scene with Karen Black, which resulted in him becoming an actor under contract with MGM Studios. During his years as an actor, Lee discovered a passion for working behind the camera and, in 1971, directed his first feature film, "On the Line".
Lee's son, Shane Stanley, made his mark in the industry at a young age, becoming the youngest person to ever receive an Emmy Award at just 16 years old for his work on "Desperate Passage" (1987),which Lee directed and won two Emmys for. This special launched the "Desperate Passage Series", which was nominated for thirty-three Emmys and won thirteen over a six-year period.
Lee's daughter, Quinn Kaufman, from his first marriage, is the granddaughter of legendary songwriter Johnny Burke of the Burke & Van Heusen team, responsible for iconic songs such as "Misty", "Pennies From Heaven", and "Swingin' on a Star". Lee's documentary film "Street Pirates" (1994) won him a CINE Golden Eagle Award for Best Documentary.
Lee received The Christopher Award as well as numerous other top humanitarian honors for his work with America's at-risk youth, which was the theme for many of his TV specials. He wrote and directed "Held for Ransom" (2000) starring Dennis Hopper, based on the novel by Lois Duncan, as well as co-writing and directing "Carman: The Champion" (2001),which starred Michael Nouri, Patricia Manterola, and long-time friend Jed Allan.
Lee recently completed working with his Emmy Award-winning son, Shane Stanley, on the feature film "Break Even", set to be released in 2020.
