Lee got his first supporting role in Hotel (1967) after reading a scene opposite a friend as a favor in an audition for the film. His first screen test was a love scene with Karen Black which led him to become an actor under contract with MGM Studios, where he co-starred in Ice Station Zebra (1968) with Rock Hudson as well as various Aaron Spelling productions. After years of acting, Lee found a passion for working behind the camera and, in 1971, directed his first feature film, On the Line (1971). His son, Shane Stanley, was the youngest to ever receive an Emmy Award when he was 16 years old for his work on Desperate Passage (1987), which Lee directed and won two Emmys for. That special launched The Desperate Passage Series, which was nominated for thirty-three Emmys and won thirteen over a six year period. Daughter Quinn Gonzalez, from Lee's first marriage, is the granddaughter of legendary songwriter Johnny Burke of the Burke & Van Heusen team, (Misty, Pennies From Heaven, Swingin' on a Star). His film Street Pirates (1994) won him a CINE Golden Eagle Award for Best Documentary. Lee received The Christopher Award as well as many other top humanitarian honors for his work with America's probated youth, which were the theme for many of his TV specials. Lee wrote and directed Held for Ransom (2000) starring Dennis Hopper based on the novel by Lois Duncan I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) as well as co-writing and directing Carman: The Champion (2001) which starred Michael Nouri Patricia Manterola and long time friend Jed Allan.