Malcolm X is a 1992 dramatic biopic detailing the life of civil rights leader and activist Malcolm X. The movie stars Denzel Washington as Malcolm X, a performance which earned him a "Best Actor" Oscar nomination, and was directed by Spike Lee. The film is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was co-written by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, Godfather of Malcom X's daughter, Attallah Shabazz.