Crystal McCrary

Last updated
Crystal McCrary McGuire
Born
Crystal McCrary

(1969-10-24) October 24, 1969 (age 55)
Detroit, Michigan
Alma mater University of Michigan
New York University School of Law
Washington College of Law
Occupation(s)Attorney, filmmaker, author
Spouse Ray McGuire
Children3, including Cole Anthony

Crystal McCrary McGuire (formerly Crystal McCrary Anthony) is a writer, film producer and director, a former attorney and a broadcast personality. [1] She is a creator and producer of entertainment content, including award-winning BET Networks shows Leading Women and Leading Men and youth basketball documentary Little Ballers. [2]

Contents

Biography

She was born in October 24, 1969, in Detroit, Michigan, to Magellan Gomez McCrary and Thelma Barrington, and into a family that includes 10 lawyers. [3] She has one sister. After receiving a bachelor's degree magna cum laude, in 1991 from the University of Michigan, she attended the Washington College of Law at the American University in Washington, DC, and the New York University School of Law, earning her J.D. degree in 1995. During law school, she also joined the international law program sponsored by Tulane University, studying European Community law in Paris, France. [4] [5]

She rose to prominence as an entertainment lawyer, and married NBA basketball player Greg Anthony, [3] with whom she had two children, including Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony, [6] [7] prior to divorcing. [3] She later married former Wall Street executive Ray McGuire, [8] whom she joined on the campaign trail during his 2021 bid for Democratic mayoral candidate, [9] [10] and with whom she has one son. [11]

Career

Attorney

She began her legal career as an associate at New York City law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, [3] where she represented entertainment personalities and executives, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, [12] as an entertainment lawyer, [13] while quietly authoring a novel that reflects the milieu. In 1997, she transitioned to writing, resigning her position as an attorney. [3]

Author

A story creator since childhood, [2] she co-wrote the novel Homecourt Advantage with Rita Ewing (then spouse of New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing), an intimate portrait of the "dysfunctional off-court lives of multimillionaire athletes and their significant others", according to Washington Post reviewer Kevin Merida, in 1998. It became a bestseller, and film rights to the book were purchased by "a film triad that includes Wesley Snipes' production company." [12]

Her second work, Gotham Diaries, grew out of a collaboration with Tonya Lewis Lee, who is also a lawyer, and the spouse of filmmaker Spike Lee. [14] First envisioned as a television series that would profile upper-class black New Yorkers, the pair shifted to realizing the story, Gotham Diaries, in 2004, as a social satire novel, due to events of 9/11 disrupting plans. The book won Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year in 2005, and returned her to The New York Times Bestseller List. [4] Gotham Diaries is also noted for contributing to an emerging genre of fiction, "black chick-lit". [15] [16]

In 2012, her book, Inspiration: Profiles of Black Women Changing Our World with her producing partner Nathan Hale Williams [3] and photography by Lauri Lyons was published. [5] [17] She has also authored numerous magazine articles. [4]

Entertainment industry

She began a film career in 2006, as an executive producer, with Nathan Hale Williams, for the feature film Dirty Laundry, which offers a perspective on homosexuality in Southern African-American families, [3] winning top honors, including Best Feature Film award, at the American Black Film Festival in 2007. [18] That year, when listed among the top 40 Under 40 by Crain’s New York Business , Williams affectionately referred to McCrary McGuire as "a baby mogul in training". [1] In 2008, the film was nominated for a GLAAD Award. [19] [20]

McCrary has developed projects with BET Networks, co-hosted My Two Cents, and served as executive producer, in 2006, for reality show My Model Is Better Than Your Model, and for the series Real-Life Divas, which profiles African-American women and ran for four seasons. She was executive producer for documentary series Leading Women and Leading Men, which earned an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2009. In 2015, she was commissioned to make a short film to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. [9]

She has been featured in People, Essence and Newsweek, [4] and has also appeared as herself in a variety of productions, including Today , Good Morning America , [15] The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch , in 2006, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 , in 2008, Closet Envy, in 2010, and Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys , during 2010 to 2011. [21] She appeared as a pop-culture commentator on American Morning for CNN in 2004 and 2005. [22] and on Verdict with Dan Abrams for NBC, in 2008, alongside Pat Buchanan and Lawrence O'Donnell, as a guest host for The View , [23] [24] and as a legal analyst for CNBC, Fox News, and Court TV (now truTV). [25]

Her directorial debut was the AAU youth basketball documentary Little Ballers in 2013, which she also co-produced; [2] it was televised by Nickelodeon in 2015, [26] the first documentary to be aired on NickSports . [27] In 2017, Nickelodeon premiered her three-part docuseries, Little Ballers Indiana, which chronicles six diverse, fledgling female basketball players in the hometown of WNBA player Skylar Diggins, South Bend, Indiana. [28]

In 2021, HBO Max premiered a reboot of Sex and the City , titled And Just Like That... , which introduced a recurring new character reportedly inspired by McCrary McGuire, named "Lisa Todd Wexley".[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<i>Lizzie McGuire</i> American teen comedy television series

Lizzie McGuire is an American comedy television series created by Terri Minsky that premiered on Disney Channel on January 12, 2001. The series stars Hilary Duff as the titular character who learns to navigate the personal and social issues of her teenage years. Duff also voices an animated version of Lizzie that performs soliloquies to express the character's inner thoughts and emotions. The series also stars Lalaine, Adam Lamberg, Jake Thomas, Hallie Todd, and Robert Carradine. The series concluded on February 14, 2004, after a total of 65 episodes were produced. A feature film based on the series, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, was released in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothy McGuire</span> American actress (1916–2001)

Dorothy Hackett McGuire was an American actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for Gentleman's Agreement (1947) and won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress for Friendly Persuasion (1956). She starred as the mother in the popular films Old Yeller (1957) and Swiss Family Robinson (1960).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeanne Crain</span> American actress (1925–2003)

Jeanne Elizabeth Crain was an American actress. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her title role in Pinky (1949). She also starred in the films In the Meantime, Darling (1944), State Fair (1945), Leave Her to Heaven (1945), Centennial Summer (1946), Margie (1946), Apartment for Peggy (1948), A Letter to Three Wives (1949), Cheaper by the Dozen (1950), People Will Talk (1951), Man Without a Star (1955), Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955), The Fastest Gun Alive (1956), and The Joker Is Wild (1957).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morena Baccarin</span> American actress (born 1979)

Morena Silva de Vaz Setta Baccarin is an American actress. She is known for portraying Adria in season 10 of the TV series Stargate SG-1, Inara Serra in the sci-fi television series Firefly (2002–2003) and its follow-up film Serenity (2005), Vanessa in the superhero comedy films Deadpool (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Jessica Brody in the thriller series Homeland (2011–2013), and Leslie Thompkins in the superhero series Gotham (2015–2019). For Homeland, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2013.

<i>Thats So Raven</i> American television sitcom (2003–2007)

That's So Raven is an American television fantasy teen sitcom that was created by Michael Poryes and Susan Sherman, and aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between January 2003 and November 2007. The series centers on Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné), a teenager with hidden psychic abilities. Episodes show Raven experiencing visions of future events; she must also deal with the social and personal issues of her youth. Raven often misinterprets the events she foresees, and intervenes to prevent a vision from coming true or to protect her friends and family. She uses her skills in fashion design to create elaborate disguises she wears during these schemes. Raven's secret is shared with her best friends Eddie Thomas and Chelsea Daniels, along with her brother Cory and parents Tanya and Victor. The series explores supernatural elements, family, friendship, and adolescence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanaa Lathan</span> American actress (born 1971)

Sanaa McCoy Lathan is an American actress. She is the daughter of actress Eleanor McCoy and film director Stan Lathan. Her career began after she appeared in the shows In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. Lathan later garnered further prominence after starring in the 1998 superhero film Blade, which followed with film roles in The Best Man (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), Disappearing Acts (2000), and Brown Sugar (2002).

Suzanna Celeste de Passe is an American businesswoman, television, music and film producer. De Passe serves as the co-chairwoman of de Passe Jones Entertainment Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La La Anthony</span> American television personality

Alani Nicole "La La" Anthony is an American television personality and actress. In the early 2000s, she worked as an MTV VJ on Total Request Live. She was the host of the VH1 reality television reunion shows Flavor of Love, I Love New York, For the Love of Ray J, and Real Chance of Love, and was a dean on Charm School with Ricki Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adaora Udoji</span> Media innovator

Adaora Udoji is an American journalist and producer. She has worked in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI). She is an adviser to VR-AR Association-NYC Chapter, an adjunct professor at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program at the Tisch School of the Arts, and an occasional investor.

Nathan Hale Williams is an American film producer, television producer, entertainment attorney, actor and former model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Rogow</span> American film and television producer (1948–2023)

Stan Rogow was an American music manager, writer, and producer of film and television. He received three Emmy nominations, one for 1982 NBC TV series Fame and two for Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire.

Amy Pascal is an American film producer and business executive. She served as the Chairperson of the Motion Pictures Group of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) and Co-Chairperson of SPE, including Sony Pictures Television, from 2006 until 2015. She has overseen the production and distribution of many films and television programs, and was co-chairperson during the 2014 Sony Pictures hack. The leak uncovered multiple emails from Pascal which were deemed racist including racial jokes aimed at then-President Barack Obama. She left Sony and Pascal later admitted that she was fired from the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Issa Rae</span> American actress and writer (born 1985)

Jo-Issa Rae Diop, credited professionally as Issa Rae, is an American actress, writer, and producer. Founder of Hoorae Media, she achieved wider recognition as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the HBO television series Insecure (2016–2021), for which she was nominated for multiple Golden Globes Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The McCrary Sisters</span> American gospel music quartet

The McCrary Sisters are an American gospel music group from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2010 by sisters Ann McCrary, Deborah McCrary, Regina McCrary, and Alfreda McCrary. They have released four studio albums and one live album: Our Journey (2010), All the Way (2013), Let's Go (2015), Live (2017) and A Very McCrary Christmas (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marsai Martin</span> American actress (born 2004)

Caila Marsai Martin is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022).

Jaydon McCrary is an American actor, dancer and singer. He is best known for his turn as Kenny Payne in The Paynes on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He starred in The Lion King (2019) as the voice of young Simba. He is signed to Hollywood Records and released his first extended play Shine, in April 2019. His song "Keep In Touch" was featured in dancing video game Just Dance 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cole Anthony</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Cole Hinton Anthony is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 185 pounds, he plays the point guard position.

<i>Little</i> (film) 2019 film by Tina Gordon Chism

Little is a 2019 American fantasy comedy film directed and co-written by Tina Gordon. It stars Regina Hall, Issa Rae and Marsai Martin, and follows an overbearing boss who is transformed into the teenage version of herself. Martin serves as an executive producer for the film, and at 14 years old, is the youngest person to ever hold that title on a Hollywood production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Brook</span> American businesswoman

Tammy Brook is an American businesswoman, founder and CEO of FYI Brand Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond McGuire</span> American businessman (born 1957)

Raymond J. McGuire is an American businessman and political candidate who worked as an executive at Citigroup. McGuire was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

References

  1. 1 2 "Author Entertains Vast Possibilities" (PDF). Crain’s New York Business. Crain's. January 2007. p. F-21. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 JACKSON, CHARREAH K. (27 October 2020). "'Little Ballers' Director On Making Dollars from Your Ideas". essence.com. Essence. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 POTKEWITZ, HILARY (2007). "40 UNDER 40 CLASS OF 2007 Crystal McCrary Anthony, 36 Author, lawyer and executive producer". Crain's New York. Crain's. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Zorlan Orlov (2007). How you can reach wealth by using proven millionaires ideas. First Net Success. p. 225. ISBN   978-953-95909-0-9 . Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Very McCrary: Crystal McCrary taking over media". Amsterdam News. Amsterdam News. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Orlando Magic pick Cole Anthony's NBA draft celebration included surprise Spike Lee cameo". USA TODAY. USA Today. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Crystal McCrary McGuire on her son Cole Anthony's journey, her husband's run for NYC Mayor & more". Apple Podcasts. Bill Rhoden On Sports (BROSpod). Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Top 200 Collectors 2021 RAYMOND J. MCGUIRE AND CRYSTAL MCCRARY". ArtNews. Art News. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  9. 1 2 "CRYSTAL MCCRARY MCGUIRE ON CREATIVITY, CAMPAIGNING AND THE CAUSES CLOSE TO HER HEART". net-a-porter.com. NET-A-PORTER. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  10. ↑ Murray, Cori (15 June 2021). "Crystal McGuire Explains Why Her Husband, Who's Running for NYC Mayor, Is Unapologetic In Supporting Black Women". essence.com. Essence. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  11. ↑ Flegenheimer, Matt (10 February 2021). "The Upper Crust Has Its Candidate. Don't Call Him 'the Black Bloomberg.'". NY Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  12. 1 2 Merida, Kevin (27 October 1998). "HOOP SKIRTS: NBA WIVES' TALE". Washington Post. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Soulivity LIVE! Special Guest: Crystal McCrary". soulivity.com. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  14. ↑ St. John, Warren (1 August 2004). "His Life Was Like a Novel, But Bad Guys Make Better Stories". NY Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  15. 1 2 Danford, Natalie (11 October 2004). "In a Category Of Her Own". publishersweekly.com. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  16. ↑ Ogunnaike, Lola (31 May 2004). "Black Writers Seize Glamorous Ground Around 'Chick Lit'". NY Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  17. ↑ Pond, Neil (2 March 2012). "Inspiration: Profiles of Black Women Changing Our World". americanprofile.com. American Profile. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  18. ↑ Alexander, George (1 August 2007). "THE MAKING OF AN INDIE". blackenterprise.com. Black Enterprise. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  19. ↑ Wade, Wesley (10 November 2020). "Hey, I'm Nathan Hale Williams". freshfruitmag.com. Fresh Fruit Magazine. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  20. ↑ "Crystal McCrary". graciemansion.org. Gracie Mansion Conservancy. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "McCrary Anthony, Crystal". Encyclopedia.com.
  22. ↑ "American Morning '90-Second Pop'; Bush Administration Believes Iran Secretly Trying to Build Nuclear Weapons". cnn.com. CNN. 14 February 2005. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  23. ↑ "The View Season 10 Episode 76 Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kaye Ballard, guest co-host Crystal McCrary Anthony". yidio.com. The View. 20 December 2006. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  24. ↑ SETOODEH, Ramibn (22 March 2019). "How the Donald Trump–Rosie O'Donnell Feud Wreaked Havoc at The View". vanityfair.com. Vanity Fair. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "Crystal McCrary, Greg Anthony's Ex-Wife: 5 Fast Facts". heavy.com. Heavy. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "'Little Ballers' premiers February 25". Amsterdam News. Amsterdam News. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  27. ↑ Gamble, J.R. (23 February 2015). "Little Ballers Is A Perfect Blend Of Guts, Glory And Growth…On a Kid's Tip". The Shadow League. Shadow League Digital. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "What to Expect From Little Ballers Indiana". Black Enterprise. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.