Shawn Wayans
American actor, DJ, producer, writer and comedian
John Singleton was a pioneering African-American filmmaker who directed groundbreaking movies like ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and ‘Poetic Justice’. He was the first African-American and youngest person to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. Singleton’s films often explored themes of black masculinity, racism, and identity in urban communities.
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About the John Singleton
John Daniel Singletonwas an American director, screenwriter, and producer. He made his feature film debut writing and directing Boyz n the Hoodand the action films 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), and Four Brothers (2005). In television, he co-created the television crime drama Snowfall and directed episodes of shows such as Empire, Rebel and the fifth episode of The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special for the latter.
One of the most successful and groundbreaking directors in African-American cinema, Singleton and his films represented the African-American urban experience, focusing on themes such as black masculinity, trauma, racism and identity. Singleton frequently cast rappers and musicians, such as Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, Janet Jackson, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Tyrese Gibson, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and Andre 3000 in prominent roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
John Singleton was an American director, screenwriter, and producer who made his feature film debut with the critically acclaimed ‘Boyz n the Hood’ in 1991. He was the first African American and youngest person to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.
In addition to ‘Boyz n the Hood’, John Singleton directed other notable films such as ‘Poetic Justice’, ‘Higher Learning’, ‘Rosewood’, ‘Shaft’, ‘Baby Boy’, ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’, and ‘Four Brothers’.
Singleton’s films often focused on themes of black masculinity, trauma, racism, and identity in urban populations. He frequently cast rappers and musicians in prominent roles to authentically portray the African-American experience.
In addition to directing, John Singleton co-created the television crime drama ‘Snowfall’ and directed episodes of shows like ‘Empire’, ‘Rebel’, and ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
John Singleton was born on January 6, 1968 and passed away on April 28, 2019.
3 Quotes by John Singleton
- 1.
I really took filmmaking very seriously… It was an honor and then a crutch also, because at a young age, I was like, I guess I’m a serious filmmaker. I never set out to be a serious filmmaker. I just set out to make movies.
John SingletonAmerican film director, screenwriter, and producer (1968-2019)
- 2.
Cinema was my rite of passage.
John SingletonAmerican film director, screenwriter, and producer (1968-2019)
- 3.
The freshest moments in my films have always been with unknown actors.
John SingletonAmerican film director, screenwriter, and producer (1968-2019)