Stan Lathan

Infobox actor
name = Stan Lathan


imagesize =
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birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1945|7|8
birthplace = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
deathdate =
deathplace =
othername =
occupation = Director
Producer
yearsactive =
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domesticpartner =
website =
tonyawards = Best Special Theatrical Event
2003
"Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam"

Stan Lathan (born July 8, 1945) is an American television and film director and producer.

Biography

Career

Lathan’s career began with public television in Boston where he co-created and directed one of the first and longest running urban themed magazine shows, "Say Brother". In 1969, he moved to New York to become one of the first directors of the groundbreaking urban preschool phenomenon "Sesame Street". In 1973, Lathan teamed with Quincy Jones and Jesse Jackson to produce and direct "Save the Children", a music documentary feature film distributed by Paramount Pictures. He began directing network television shows in 1975, when he was invited to Los Angeles to direct multiple episodes of "Sanford and Son" starring Redd Foxx. He went on to direct numerous television drama and comedy series, including "Hill Street Blues", "Miami Vice", "Cagney & Lacey", "Eight Is Enough", "The Waltons", "Falcon Crest", "Remington Steele", "Frank's Place", "Fame", and "Roc". During the 1970’s and 1980’s, he contributed to performance arts series on public television. He directed "Alvin Ailey: Memories & Visions", as well as dance specials featuring The Martha Graham Company, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Agnes de Mille. In addition, he directed dramas for PBS such as "Great Performances", "American Playhouse", "The American Short Story", and "Wonder Works". In 1984, he worked with Harry Belafonte to direct the hip hop movie "Beat Street" for Orion Pictures. In the 1990’s, Lathan remained one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors of TV and film. He directed the pilots and thus seeded the series & syndication success of: "Martin", "Moesha", "The Parkers" "The Steve Harvey Show", "Amen", "Cedric the Entertainer Presents", "Eve", and "All of Us". In 2000 and 2004, Lathan continued to break the mold and expand the business model for black comedy on cable TV. He executive produced and directed Dave Chappelle’s highly successful comedy specials "" for HBO and "For What It’s Worth" for Showtime. He also executive produced and directed Cedric the Entertainer’s "Taking You Higher", for HBO.

Partnership with Russell Simmons

In 1989, Lathan and Russell Simmons partnered to create one of the most successful franchises in entertainment: HBO’s "Def Comedy Jam" series, which started the careers of some of today’s biggest television and movie stars, such as Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique, Mike Epps, and D. L. Hughley. After a nine year hiatus, "Def Comedy Jam" relaunched in 2006 to huge ratings. Together, they co-own The Simmons Lathan Media Group, a film and television production and acquisitions company that develops and distributes urban content across a variety of media platforms. In 2002, the partnership was honored with their first Peabody Award for their series "Def Poetry Jam" on HBO. That same year, Lathan and Simmons produced and Lathan directed "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway", which won a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. Lathan and Simmons feature film credits include, co-executive producers of "Waist Deep", "Gridlock'd" and "The Show". Currently, Lathan and Simmons are executive producing the MTV hit reality show "Run's House", new seasons of "Def Comedy Jam" and "Def Poetry Jam", developing a wide variety of broadband and mobile content and producing independent films.

Personal life

Lathan has five children, including film actress Sanaa Lathan. He currently resides in Beverly Hills, California with his wife Marguerite and his youngest daughter Colette.

External links

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Persondata
NAME= Lathan, Stan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Director, Producer
DATE OF BIRTH= July 8, 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH= Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=