Where Are They Now? The Cast of 'Do the Right Thing'

Spike Lee, Rosie Perez, Martin Lawrence and more were in the legendary film.

Do the Right Thing (1989) - Spike Lee has spearheaded some of the most iconic and culturally ingenious films in cinematic history, but it was his 1989 smash, Do the Right Thing, that brought together an all-star cast to tell a story that changed lives forever. On the film's 30th anniversary, we check on the star-studded cast to see where they are today.By Moriba Cummings and Paul Meara(Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

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Do the Right Thing (1989) - Spike Lee has spearheaded some of the most iconic and culturally ingenious films in cinematic history, but it was his 1989 smash, Do the Right Thing, that brought together an all-star cast to tell a story that changed lives forever. On the film's 34th anniversary, we check on the star-studded cast to see where they are today.

Photo By Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

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Rosie Perez - She played the role of Tina, Mookie's girlfriend and her dance to "Fight the Power" remains one of the most memorable moments in the movie. Since the film, Rosie released a memoir titled Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling (With Great Hair). She also ventured into TV, becoming a panelist on the daytime talk show The View for a year in 2014. Currently, Perez is the voice of Petra in the animated Netflix series Human Resources. (Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images)

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Ossie Davis - The actor played Da Mayor, the resident drunk of the neighborhood who ironically had a thing for Mother Sister played by Ruby Dee (in real life, they were married since 1948). Since the film, he went on to star in several memorable films and TV series including Touched by an Angel, The Soul Collector, and, most recently, The L Word. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2005 of natural causes. He was 87.(Photo: Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)

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Ruby Dee - The iconic Rubie Dee -- Ossie Davis’ wife -- also played the role of Mother Sister, she was "always watchin'" from her window. Since the film, she worked with Lee again in the film Jungle Fever. Prior to her death, she was the narrator on Lifetime's TV movie Betty and Coretta. In 2008, she received her first and only Oscar nomination for playing Denzel Washington’s mother in America Gangster. Ruby Dee died in New Rochelle, New York, in 2014. She was 91.(Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

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Giancarlo Esposito - His character Buggin' Out was a no-nonsense type of guy, staging the boycott that led to the infamous riot at the end of the film. Since the film, Giancarlo Esposito made a name for himself in Hollywood, starring in the TV series Revolution and the iconic TV staple Breaking Bad. He currently plays Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in Godfather of Harlem. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

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Bill Nunn - He played the local hot shot Radio Raheem, who didn't speak many words, but had a presence that was noticed from afar. His character was the star of one of the most powerful and timely scenes of the film when he was strangled by a New York City police officer. Since the film, Nunn appeared in several films including Spider-Man 1, 2 and 3, Idlewild, A Raisin in the Sun and Won't Back Down. Before he died in 2016, he played Cash in the TV series Sirens. (Photo: Raymond Hall/FilmMagic)

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Danny Aiello - Aiello played Sal, the owner of a famous local pizzeria on Stuyvesant Avenue in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. He was the only actor who received an Oscar nomination for acting in Do the Right Thing. Since the movie, he has had a steady acting career, starring in several films including Off Key, Mambo Café and, most recently, the 2014 film Reach Me and the 2017 Canadian drama film The Neighborhood. He passed away in 2019 at 86 years old. (Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

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Martin Lawrence - Martin had his first on-screen appearance in the Spike Lee classic, playing Cee, one of the teens from the neighborhood who talks with a lisp. Since the film, his career took off, starring in several blockbuster hits like Big Momma's House, National Security, Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins and Bad Boys. Of course, he became a household name with the sitcom Martin. Lawrence is currently in production for the fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise. (Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

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Samuel L. Jackson - Jackson played Mister Señor Love Daddy, the local radio-show host who opened the movie and delivered one of Spike Lee's signature lines: "Wake up!" Today, Samuel L. Jackson has gone on to become official Hollywood royalty, becoming one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He starred in films from Tarzan to Avengers: Age of Ultron. Over the last few years, Jackson has also rocked it in Avengers: Infinity War — Part I, Avengers: Endgame, Incredibles 2, Shaft, and Spider-Man: Far From Home.(Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

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Public Enemy - Their hit "Fight the Power" was the theme song for the film. Since then, the group went on to release Apocalypse '91... The Enemy Strikes Black. Following that release, Terminator X left the group after a motorcycle accident in 1994. They have continued to make moves ever since. In 2020, the group released their 15th studio album What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?. (Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Samsung)

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Spike Lee - He not only directed and wrote the film — he also starred in it. Spike Lee played the lead role of Mookie, who delivered pizzas for Sal rocking his signature Dodgers jersey and high-top fade. Since the film, the triple threat went on add several more iconic projects to his filmography including Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Bamboozled, She's Gotta Have It, Inside Man and Chi-Raq. Additionally, 2018’s BlacKkKlansman earned an Oscar in 2019 for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is currently in production for Da Understudy, which is set to star Jonathan Majors. (Photo: Nicky J Sims/Getty Images for New Era Europe)