January 6, 1968 John Daniel Singleton, film director, screenwriter, and producer, was born in Los Angeles, California. Singleton earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of California School of Cinematic Arts in 1990 and made his film debut with “Boyz N the Hood” in 1991. That movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay and Best Director. Singleton was the youngest person ever nominated for best director and the first African American. He has also served as director, screenwriter, and producer for “Higher Learning” (1995), “Shaft” (2000), and “Baby Boy” (2001). In 2005, he co-financed the independent film “Hustle and Flow.” Singleton also directed “2 Fast 2 Furious” (2003), “Four Brothers” (2005), and “Abduction” (2011) and produced “Black Snake Moan” (2007) and “Illegal Tender” (2007).
