Stan Lee

Animation Executive / Show Creator
Living Television Collection
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his two-hour interview, Stan Lee (1922-2018) discusses his career in multiple media, from comic books to feature films. He describes the birth of Marvel Comics, competition with DC comics, and the creation of many of his most beloved characters: the "Fantastic Four," the "X-Men," the "Incredible Hulk," and "Spider-Man." Lee also recalls the formation of production companies Marvel Productions, Stan Lee Productions and POW! Entertainment and his role in each. He talks about his involvement with television programs based on his comic characters (the animated Spider-Man series and the unforgettable The Incredible Hulk) and defines what a superhero means to him. He also reveals his real name and why he changed it to Stan Lee. Lisa Terrada conducted the interview in a joint venture with UCLA for the Living Television Collection on March 22, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I learned one of life's greatest lessons. I don't know the reason for this, but people who like superhero stories want their heroes to wear costumes. And if any psychologist or sociologist out there can ever tell me the reason, I would like to know."

People Talking About ...
Stan Lee
Highlights
Stan Lee on his signature, "As told to Stan Lee"
00:58
Stan Lee on creating The X-Men characters
01:47
Stan Lee on the enduring nature of the Spider-Man character
02:16
Stan Lee on what a superhero is to him
00:32
Stan Lee on how he'd like to be remembered
00:40
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his interests in acting and advertising; on his first jobs
On getting into comics at Magazine Management's Timely Comics; on the "Marvel Method"; on his time in the army during World War II
On critics of comics; on the comic The Fantastic Four and the start of Marvel Comics; on creating The Incredible Hulk; on the stumbling block to creating the Spider-Man comic book; on working with art director Jack Kirby
On seeing his characters on television; on developing stories for comic books, television, and film; on the Spider-Man character being in comics; on TV and in movies at the same time

Chapter 2
On the Spider-Man TV series, syndicated newspaper strip, and on The Incredible Hulk TV Show; on naming his company Marvel and the competition with DC Comics; on being publisher and president of Marvel; on lecturing at colleges
On moving to Los Angeles and forming Marvel Productions; on the Spider-Man movie; on the animated series The X-Men; on forming the company Stan Lee Media - with a focus on Internet projects; on forming POW! Entertainment
On characters he developed: The X-Men, Daredevil; on creating an animated TV series; on the WPA; on his cameos in films; on his favorite characters, his inspiration, and on what a superhero means to him
On technology's effect on animation; on advice to young comic writers; on the highlight of his career; on his signature, "Excelsior;" on his relationship with Martin Goodman

Chapter 3
On his relationship with Martin Goodman; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows

Incredible Hulk, The

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Stan Lee on The Incredible Hulk television show
04:48

Incredible Hulk, The: "The Trial of the Hulk"

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Stan Lee on his cameo on "The Trial of the Hulk" episode of The Incredible Hulk television show
01:42

Simpsons, The

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Stan Lee on voicing his character on The Simpsons
00:17

Spider-Man

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Stan Lee on his involvement with the animated series Spider-Man and other cartoons
01:37
Stan Lee on the Spider-Man TV series
01:24

X-Men

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Stan Lee on the animated series X-Men
02:16
Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

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Stan Lee on the enduring nature of the Spider-Man character
02:16

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Stan Lee on comic strips he read as a child
01:33
Stan Lee on wanting to be an actor when he was young
01:03

Pop Culture

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Stan Lee on the enduring nature of the Spider-Man character
02:16

Technological Innovation

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Stan Lee on how technology has affected animation
01:00
Professions

Executives

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Stan Lee on being creative head of Marvel Productions
00:48

Writers

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Stan Lee on his signature, "As told by Stan Lee"
00:58
Stan Lee on the ease and fun of comic book writing
02:44
Stan Lee on writing
02:05
Genres

Animation

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Stan Lee on his involvement with the animated series Spider-Man and other cartoons
01:37
Stan Lee on creating an animated television series
11:43
People

Bill Bixby

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Stan Lee on Bill Bixby of The Incredible Hulk television show
01:42

Garry Marshall

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Stan Lee on his high school classmate Garry Marshall
00:32

Kenneth Johnson

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Stan Lee on The Incredible Hulk television show, created by Kenneth Johnson
04:48

Lou Ferrigno

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Stan Lee on Lou Ferrigno of The Incredible Hulk television show
01:42

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