Silver Screen Icon: Spike Lee

For his first big Hollywood crime-drama, Inside Man, Spike casted Denzel Washington as the lead for the project. About a cop (Washington) who has to negotiate with a bank robber after the situation spirals into a hostage situation, the star lineup included Jodie Foster, Wilem Dafoe and Clive Owen. The film turned out to be Spike’s most financially successful film, grossing $88 million.

(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)