Stan Lathan

Last updated

Stan Lathan
Stan Lathan.jpg
Lathan in 2016
Born (1945-07-09) July 9, 1945 (age 79)
EducationPennsylvania State University (1967)
Occupation(s)Director, producer
Years active1969–present
Spouse
Marguerite Lathan
(m. 1982)
PartnerEleanor McCoy (1970–1977)
Children5, including Sanaa Lathan
AwardsTwo Grammy Awards
Three Primetime Emmy Awards
Tony Award
Peabody Award
Six NAACP Image Awards

Stan Lathan (born July 8, 1945) is an American television and film director and television producer. [1] He is executive producer and director of BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood . [2] He has produced and directed numerous stand-up comedy specials starring comedian Dave Chappelle, including Killin' Them Softly , Equanimity, The Bird Revelation, Sticks & Stones , and The Closer.

Contents

Early life

The youngest of three boys, Lathan was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Julia Elizabeth (Dunston) and Stanley Edward Lathan. [3] [4] [5] His mother was a clerical employee. [6] His brothers are William Lathan of New York, a medical doctor, [7] and Charles Lewis, a musician living in Phoenix, Arizona. [8]

Lathan graduated from Overbrook High School in 1963. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in theater at Pennsylvania State University [9] in 1967 and moved to Boston to pursue a master's degree from Boston University. In response to the heightened tension surrounding the civil rights movement at that time, he was recruited by television station WGBH-TV in 1968 to help create and direct the country's first magazine show entirely produced by, for, and about African Americans-- Say Brother . [10]

Career

Lathan has directed the pilots for many sitcoms, including Martin , Moesha , The Parkers , The Steve Harvey Show , Amen , South Central , Cedric the Entertainer Presents , All of Us , Eve , The Soul Man and Real Husbands of Hollywood . [5]

Lathan was the executive producer and director of the stand-up comedy special Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly written by and starring comedian Dave Chappelle. It was Chappelle's first hour-long HBO special, and premiered in 2000. Lathan would go on to produce and direct several more of Chappelle's specials, including For What It's Worth, which was produced in 2004 for Showtime. In 2017, Lathan produced and directed four Chappelle specials for Netflix: The Bird Revelation, Equanimity, The Age of Spin, [11] and Deep in the Heart of Texas. [11] He also produced and directed Chappelle's fifth Netflix special, Sticks & Stones , which was released in 2019.

He executive produced and directed Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher, a one-hour comedy special for HBO, and It's Black Entertainment, a two-hour musical documentary for Showtime.

Lathan began directing network television in 1973, when he was brought to Los Angeles to direct multiple episodes of Sanford & Son . He went on to direct Hill Street Blues , Miami Vice , Remington Steele , Cagney & Lacey , Frank's Place , Roc and others. He also directed the 1984 feature film Beat Street for Orion Pictures. [12]

Lathan directed dramas for public television's Great Performances , American Playhouse and The American Short Story. For PBS, he directed Alvin Ailey: Memories & Visions and other dance specials featuring the Martha Graham Company, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Agnes de Mille. [5] He directed three seasons of the popular PBS music series, SOUL! , and he was one of the first directors of Sesame Street . [10]

In 1989, Lathan partnered with Russell Simmons to create the stand-up comedy franchise Def Comedy Jam on HBO. [13] This series ran for 8 seasons and showcased many of today's popular television & movie stars. [14]

Lathan also received a Peabody Award for the series Def Poetry on HBO. That same year, Lathan co-produced Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, which won a Tony Award for best special theatrical event and has toured both domestically and internationally. [15]

In 2006, Lathan co-created Run's House , a five-season reality series for MTV that spawned a spinoff series, Daddy's Girls . He also co-executive produced Running Russell Simmons , an eight-part series for Oxygen. In 2012, he executive produced and directed The Ruckus, a stand-up series for Comedy Central. [16]

In 2008, Lathan was the creator and executive producer of Brave New Voices , a seven-part docu-reality series for HBO. [17] As a follow-up in 2009, Lathan staged and directed An Evening of Poetry, Music and Spoken Word, hosted by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in the White House.

Lathan received both the 2003 Diversity Award and the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors. [18] He has received six NAACP Image Awards for his achievements in film and television. He was honored in 2014 by the Directors Guild of America for his directing career. [19] In 2017, he received the Trailblazer Award from the Apollo Theater in Harlem. [20] In 2018, he was nominated for a DGA Award for his direction of the Dave Chappelle comedy special The Age of Spin [21] and received a 2018 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the same special and Dave Chappelle's Deep in the Heart of Texas. [22]

In 2018, Lathan directed Mo Amer's Netflix stand-up comedy special [23] The Vagabond and Amanda Seales' HBO stand-up comedy special I Be Knowin'. [24]

Lathan executive produced and directed Dave Chappelle's Equanimity [25] (2017) which received a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).

Lathan won another Grammy Award for the 2019 Best Comedy Album for Dave Chappelle's Equanimity and The Bird Revelation. [26]

In 2020, Latham won an Emmy in the Outstanding Directing in a Variety Special for Dave Chappelle's Sticks & Stones. As Executive Producer he also won an Emmy in the Outstanding Variety category for the same film. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Chappelle</span> American comedian and actor (born 1973)

David Khari Webber Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He starred in and co-created the satirical comedy sketch series Chappelle's Show (2003–2006) before quitting in the middle of production during the third season. After a hiatus, Chappelle returned to performing stand-up comedy across the U.S. By 2006, Chappelle was called the "comic genius of America" by Esquire and, in 2013, "the best" by a Billboard writer. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 9 in their "50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time".

Chappelle's Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedians Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show and starring in the majority of its sketches. Chappelle, Brennan, and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22, 2003, on the American cable television network Comedy Central. The show ran for two complete seasons. An abbreviated third season of three episodes aired in 2006, compiled of previously unreleased sketches.

<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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mo'Nique</span> American comedian and actress (born 1967)

Monique Angela Hicks, known mononymously as Mo'Nique, is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Grammy Award.

Def Comedy Jam is an HBO television series produced by Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan, and Bob Sumner. The series was hosted by Martin Lawrence and Joe Torry in its first six seasons and by D. L. Hughley for its seventh and eighth seasons.

Nathaniel Stroman, known professionally by his stage name Earthquake, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist and radio personality. He presently hosts a radio show entitled, Quakeshouse for SiriusXM and Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Network. His first Netflix special entitled Chappelle's Home Team- Legendary: Earthquake was produced by Dave Chappelle and his Magic Lemonade production entity in February of 2022.

Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry, better known as simply Def Poetry Jam or Def Poetry, is a spoken word poetry television series hosted by Mos Def and airing on HBO between 2002 and 2007. The series features performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets. Performances also include special appearances by well-known actors and musicians, as well as occasional performances by Mos Def himself. Co-created by Bruce George, Danny Simmons, Deborah Pointer, Stan Lathan, and Russell Simmons, the show is a spin-off of the popular Def Comedy Jam which began airing on HBO in the 1990s. As with Def Comedy, Simmons appears at the end of every episode to thank the audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Miller (film producer)</span> American film director

Troy Miller is an American film producer, director and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in comedy and has directed four feature films as well as directing and producing numerous TV shows and specials.

<i>Dave Chappelle: Killin Them Softly</i> 2000 American stand-up comedy television film

Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly is a 2000 American stand-up comedy television film directed by Stan Lathan and written by and starring comedian Dave Chappelle. Filmed at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., it was Chappelle's first hour-long HBO special, premiering on HBO on July 26, 2000. In the special, Chappelle talks about a variety of topics, including racism, police brutality, and drug use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Volk-Weiss</span> American film producer and director

Brian Volk-Weiss is an American film and television producer and director. He is the founder and current chief executive officer (CEO) of The Nacelle Company and its subsidiary company, Comedy Dynamics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Gallen</span> American television producer and director

Joel Gallen is an American director and producer. He is the founder of Tenth Planet Productions, a Los Angeles-based film and television production company.

Erik Weiner is an American actor, writer, comedian, and producer best known for co-creating the play The Bomb-itty of Errors and his role as Agent Sebso on HBO's Boardwalk Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">69th Primetime Emmy Awards</span> Television awards covering 2016 and 2017

The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards honored the best in US prime time television programming from June 1, 2016, until May 31, 2017, as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The ceremony was held on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, California, and was broadcast in the U.S. by CBS. The ceremony was hosted by Stephen Colbert. The 69th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards were held on September 9 and 10, and was broadcast by FXX on September 16.

<i>Sticks & Stones</i> (2019 film) Stand-up comedy show starring Dave Chappelle

Sticks & Stones is a 2019 American stand-up comedy television special starring comedian Dave Chappelle and directed by Stan Lathan. It was produced by Chappelle and Lathan and distributed by Netflix, the special is detailed as "a provocative perspective on the tidal wave of celebrity scandals, the opioid crisis, and more".

<i>8:46</i> (special) 2020 performance by Dave Chappelle

8:46 is a 2020 performance special by American comedian Dave Chappelle about violence against African Americans. The special was released via YouTube on June 12, 2020. The performance is not a traditional stand-up comedy special, as it was recorded at a private outdoor venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio and features long stretches without humor. Critical consensus has been positive for the comedy and the social commentary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rikki Hughes</span> American TV producer and showrunner

Rikki Hughes is an American television producer and showrunner. She is best known for producing a number of comedy specials, award shows, television series, and independent features such as the BET 25th Anniversary Special (2005), It's Pimpin' Pimpin' (2008), Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes? (2006-2009), The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas (2017), Equanimity (2017), The Bird Revelation (2017), Sticks and Stones (2019), 8:46 (2020), and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion (2020).

<i>The Closer</i> (2021 film) Stand-up comedy special by Dave Chappelle

The Closer is a 2021 American stand-up comedy special written and performed by Dave Chappelle for Netflix. It was directed by Stan Lathan and recorded over the course of seven sold-out performances at The Fillmore Detroit, which ran from August 10 to 15, 2021. The Closer is Chappelle's sixth and final special under his 2016 deal with Netflix, with the other five being Deep in the Heart of Texas, The Age of Spin, Equanimity, The Bird Revelation and Sticks & Stones.

The Dreamer is a 2023 American stand-up comedy special written and performed by Dave Chappelle for Netflix. It was directed by Stan Lathan and recorded at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC in 2023.

References

  1. "Movies & TV - Stan Lathan". The New York Times. 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  2. "BET Networks' Award-Winning Comedy "Real Husbands of Hollywood" Returns for a Third Season This Fall". MarketWatch.com. 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. "The HistoryMakers Video Archive interview collection presented with Carnegie Mellon Informedia technology".
  4. http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-2509910860/lathan-dr-william-edward.html [ dead link ]
  5. 1 2 3 "The HistoryMakers: Stan Lathan". The HistoryMakers. 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  6. "Julia Lathan in the 1940 Census". Archives.com/. 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  7. "Pursuing a Boxing Passion, but as a Judge". NYTimes.com/. May 18, 1997. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  8. "State jazz figure Charles Lewis celebrates 81st birthday with party, intimate concert". DowntownDevil.com/. September 24, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  9. "African American Chronicles: Black History at Penn State". BlackHistory.PSU.EDU/. 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "SOUL! Interview: Director Stan Lathan". Thirteen - WNET - New York Public Media. WNET New York. January 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Stanhope, Kate (March 14, 2017). "Dave Chappelle Netflix Specials Get Trailer, Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  12. "MOVIE REVIEW Beat Street (1984) MOVIE: 'BEAT STREET'". NYTimes.com/. June 8, 1984. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  13. "Simmons Lathan Media Group Announces Corporate Launch: Entertainment Trailblazers Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan Introduce New Production, Acquisition and Distribution Model". PR Newswire. June 19, 1989. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  14. "The Def Jam Generation: The Arrival of Def Comedy Jam". The Paley Center for Media. 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  15. "Spread the Word: Tony Award-Winning Def Poetry Jam Launches Tour in Philadelphia, Oct. 16". Playbill.com. 2003. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  16. "Simmons Lathan Media Group". Rush Communications. 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  17. "Premiere Screening of Brave New Voices, a New HBO Series About Youth Speaks Poets, Draws Stars Robert Redford, Stan Lathan, Benjamin Bratt, Peter Bratt and Dave Eggers". PR Newswire. March 24, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  18. "Diversity Award". Caucus.org. 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  19. "A Celebration of African American TV Directors". Directors Guild of America. May 15, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  20. Williams, Brennan (June 9, 2017). "Cedric The Entertainer Returns to the Apollo Theater To Honor His Hollywood Mentor". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  21. Pedersen, Erik (January 10, 2018). "DGA Awards: Curtain Raised on TV & Documentary Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  22. "Winners". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  23. "Mo Amer is ready for the bright lights in Netflix special, 'The Vagabond'". The Daily Dot. October 10, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  24. PR, HBO (December 3, 2018). "AMANDA SEALES: I BE KNOWIN' Debuts Saturday, Jan. 26 on HBO". Medium. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  25. Dave Chappelle: Equanimity, December 31, 2017, retrieved January 25, 2019
  26. "Dave Chappelle Wins Best Comedy Album". GRAMMY.com. February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  27. "Stan Lathan". Emmys. Emmys. September 21, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2024.