01of 10John Singleton.Anthony Barboza/GettyBorn in Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 1968, John Singleton went on to graduate from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in 1990, immediately following his passion for filmmaking.
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John Singleton.Anthony Barboza/Getty
Born in Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 1968, John Singleton went on to graduate from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts in 1990, immediately following his passion for filmmaking.
02of 10Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/GettyJust one year later, he released the critically acclaimedBoyz n the Hood, which earned him an Oscar for Best Director. He was the first African-American and the youngest person to score a nomination in that category (he scored one for Best Writing, as well).
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Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty
Just one year later, he released the critically acclaimedBoyz n the Hood, which earned him an Oscar for Best Director. He was the first African-American and the youngest person to score a nomination in that category (he scored one for Best Writing, as well).
03of 10John Barr/Liaison/GettyThough it didn’t earn him any Oscars,Boyz n the Hoodlaunched Singleton into stardom, and gave him a platform to speak out about important issues like race in Hollywood.He toldThe Hollywood Reporterin more recent years that studios weren’t “letting the black people tell the stories” when it came to films depicting the African-American experience.“[Studio executives say] ‘We’re going to take your stories but, you know what? You’re going to go starve over here and we’re not going to let you get a job,’” Singleton said. “The so-called liberals that are in Hollywood now are not as good as their parents of ancestors.”
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John Barr/Liaison/Getty
Though it didn’t earn him any Oscars,Boyz n the Hoodlaunched Singleton into stardom, and gave him a platform to speak out about important issues like race in Hollywood.
He toldThe Hollywood Reporterin more recent years that studios weren’t “letting the black people tell the stories” when it came to films depicting the African-American experience.
“[Studio executives say] ‘We’re going to take your stories but, you know what? You’re going to go starve over here and we’re not going to let you get a job,’” Singleton said. “The so-called liberals that are in Hollywood now are not as good as their parents of ancestors.”
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Eli Reed/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
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Lester Cohen/WireImage
06of 10John Singleton.Vince Bucci/GettyAt his 2003 Walk of Fame ceremony, the actor gave a heartfelt speech about following his passion.“I’ve wanted to make films since I was 9 years old. It was my lifelong dream,” he shared. “If I wasn’t a director I don’t know what else I would be. Anybody that knows me … they all know that this has been my life’s dream to do what I’m doing now. My life’s dream is to make films, the films I want to make that come straight from my soul.”
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John Singleton.Vince Bucci/Getty
At his 2003 Walk of Fame ceremony, the actor gave a heartfelt speech about following his passion.
“I’ve wanted to make films since I was 9 years old. It was my lifelong dream,” he shared. “If I wasn’t a director I don’t know what else I would be. Anybody that knows me … they all know that this has been my life’s dream to do what I’m doing now. My life’s dream is to make films, the films I want to make that come straight from my soul.”
07of 10Matthew Simmons/GettyOff-screen he was Dad to seven young children: daughters Justice (left), Hadar (right), Cleopatra, Selenesol, Issis, and his sons Maasai and Seven.
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Matthew Simmons/Getty
Off-screen he was Dad to seven young children: daughters Justice (left), Hadar (right), Cleopatra, Selenesol, Issis, and his sons Maasai and Seven.
08of 10CJ Rivera/GettyBefore his death, Singleton was working as a writer, director and producer on the FX seriesSnowfall, which centered on his beloved Los Angeles. (Here, he’s pictured with stars Michael Hyatt and Carter Hudson and co-creator Dave Andron.)In mid-April 2019, Singleton checked himself into a hospital following a trip to Costa Rica after he began experiencing weakness in his legs. He suffered a stroke that left him in a coma, and on April 29,his family announced his death at age 51 after he was taken off life support.
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CJ Rivera/Getty
Before his death, Singleton was working as a writer, director and producer on the FX seriesSnowfall, which centered on his beloved Los Angeles. (Here, he’s pictured with stars Michael Hyatt and Carter Hudson and co-creator Dave Andron.)
In mid-April 2019, Singleton checked himself into a hospital following a trip to Costa Rica after he began experiencing weakness in his legs. He suffered a stroke that left him in a coma, and on April 29,his family announced his death at age 51 after he was taken off life support.
09of 10Kevin Mazur/WireImageRegina King, who had a breakout role inBoyz n the Hood, was one of many stars to honor the director following his death.“Rest In Power, my friend. One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you GOD for blessing us with this gift better known as John Singleton,”she said on Instagram. “Having trouble finding enough words to share just what you mean to me. Will always love you John! Your spirit will forever shine bright.”
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Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Regina King, who had a breakout role inBoyz n the Hood, was one of many stars to honor the director following his death.
“Rest In Power, my friend. One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you GOD for blessing us with this gift better known as John Singleton,”she said on Instagram. “Having trouble finding enough words to share just what you mean to me. Will always love you John! Your spirit will forever shine bright.”
10of 10Earl Gibson III/GettyBoyz n the Hoodstar Angela Bassett shared memories of the director’s impact, too.“I met John as a recently graduated first-time writer/director embarking on his nascent film career. I will forever remember him fondly from our first meeting during the audition process,” she said. “He exuded many things that day…awareness, openness and above all, enthusiasm!“She added, “Over the years, he never lost or left any of that behind. He provided and possessed a clarity of vision that I appreciate from that day till this. He gave a voice and an opportunity to many. Count me in that grateful number.”
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Earl Gibson III/Getty
Boyz n the Hoodstar Angela Bassett shared memories of the director’s impact, too.
“I met John as a recently graduated first-time writer/director embarking on his nascent film career. I will forever remember him fondly from our first meeting during the audition process,” she said. “He exuded many things that day…awareness, openness and above all, enthusiasm!”
She added, “Over the years, he never lost or left any of that behind. He provided and possessed a clarity of vision that I appreciate from that day till this. He gave a voice and an opportunity to many. Count me in that grateful number.”
source: people.com
