Stan Lathan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stan Lathan’s biggest impact has been in the comedy arena but his influence and style has been reflected in televised drama, dance, poetry, performing arts and film.

Mr. Lathan and partner Russell Simmons 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.

Since 1968, Mr. Lathan has maintained a bold, original and accomplished vision. He creates important shows that illuminate the entire human experience while particularly inspiring African-American and urban audiences.

Mr. 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, Mr. Lathan teamed with Quincy Jones and Jesse Jackson to produce and direct Save The Children, a music documentary feature film distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Mr. Lathan began directing network television shows in 1975, when he was invited to Los Angeles to direct multiple episodes of “Sanford & Son” starring Redd Foxx. Lathan went on to direct numerous television drama and comedy series, including “Hill St. Blues,” “Miami Vice,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Eight is Enough,” “The Waltons,” “Falcon Crest,” “Remington Steele,” “Frank’s Place,” “Fame” and “Roc.”

Mr. Lathan’s creative reach has been as great as his depth. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, he contributed to some of the most prestigious performance arts series on public television. Lathan 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 some of public television’s most distinguished series such as “Great Performances,” “American Playhouse,” “The American Short Story,” and “Wonder Works.”

In 1984, Mr. Lathan worked with Producer Harry Belafonte to direct the pivotal 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, Mr. 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 “Killin’ Them Softly” 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.

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 & movie stars, such as Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac,Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Mo’Nique, Mike Epps and DL Hughley. After a nine year hiatus, “Def Comedy Jam” relaunched in 2006 to huge ratings.

In 2003, the partnership was honored with their first Peabody Award for their groundbreaking series “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry” 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.

Stan Lathan’s accomplishments also include proud father of five children, including film actress Sanaa Lathan.

He currently resides in Beverly Hills with his wife Marguerite and his youngest daughter Colette.