Denzel Washington, Joie Lee, and Cynda Williams photographed by David Lee for Mo’ Better Blues, 1989

Veronica Webb interviews Denzel Washington for interview magazine (1990): Talks of his first project with Spike Lee and his ‘sex symbol’ status

Denzel Washington photographed by Herb Ritts for Interview Mag, 1990

Denzel Washington photographed by Herb Ritts for Interview Mag, 1990

Denzel Washington photographed by Herb Ritts for Interview Mag, 1990

Mo’ Better Blues, 1990 dir. by Spike Lee

Spike Lee, That's My Story and I'm Stickin' To It (2005) : Spike Lee on wanting to cast Denzel Washington for one of his films (specifically in regards to Mo' Better Blues) and Denzel and Wesley acting alongside each other during the filming of Mo' Blues

“The Cast” of Mo Better Blues, 1989

“Admiring Clarke” Denzel photographed by David Lee in between takes for Mo Better Blues, 1989

“Denzel, let’s try it this way, maybe.” Spike Lee and Denzel Washington behind the scenes of Mo’ Better Blues, photographed by David Lee, 1989

Giancarlo Esposito, Denzel Washington, and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts photographed during the production of Mo’ Better Blues by David Lee, 1989

Left to right: Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Giancarlo Esposito, Wesley Snipes, Bill Nunn & Denzel Washington photographed by David Lee in promotion for Mo Better Blues, 1989

Denzel Washington, Joie Lee, and Cynda Williams photographed by David Lee in promotion for Mo’ Better Blues, 1989

“Gilliam Family Portraits.” Denzel Washington, Joie Lee and Zakee L. Howze, shot by David Lee on the set of Mo' Better Blues, 1989

"Nervous Breakdown." Denzel Washington shot by David Lee for Mo Better Blues, 1989

Denzel Washington along side Ralph Turturro, John Turturro, and Spike Lee on the set of Mo' Better Blues, photographed by David Lee, 1989