DeVon Franklin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeVon Franklin
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Franklin in 2016
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| Born | April 13, 1978 Oakland, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | TV/film producer, author, preacher, television personality |
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Works
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Produced by Faith, The Wait, The Hollywood Commandments |
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DeVon Franklin (born April 13, 1978) is an American producer, author, and motivational speaker. He is known for producing movies like Miracles from Heaven and Heaven Is for Real. He also wrote the New York Times Best Seller book The Wait with his former wife, Meagan Good.
Contents
Early Life
DeVon Franklin grew up in Oakland, California. His parents were Donald Ray and Paulette Franklin. He has two brothers, Donald Ray and David Brandon. After his parents separated, his mother and brothers moved in with his grandparents.
A few years later, his father passed away at age 36. DeVon's mother, grandmother, and seven aunts helped guide him and his brothers. He called these women a "coalition" that supported them. He wrote that these nine women helped shape who he and his brothers became.
After his father's death, DeVon focused on school and activities. This led him to discover his love for theater and movies. As a teenager, he studied films and TV shows. He wanted to learn how to inspire people through entertainment. He also started helping at his uncle's church. He gave his first sermon when he was just 15 years old.
Education
DeVon Franklin went to the University of Southern California. He graduated in 2000. He studied Business Administration and also Cinema-Television.
Career
Starting Out
DeVon Franklin began his career while still in college. He interned at Overbrook Entertainment, working for Will Smith. After graduating, he got a full-time job there. Later, he worked as a junior executive at Edmonds Entertainment.
Working in Studios
In 2003, Franklin started working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He was a creative executive. He helped with movies like Be Cool. He always tried to add value to projects, even as a new employee.
In 2005, Sony Pictures Entertainment bought MGM. Franklin then joined Sony's Columbia Pictures. He became a Director of Development. In this role, he helped with many hit films. These included The Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock, and Seven Pounds. He even worked with Will Smith again, who was his mentor.
Franklin wanted his films to inspire people. He said he wanted "people's hearts to be touched." He also wanted his movies to do well at the box office.
As a Vice President at Columbia Pictures, Franklin oversaw many films. He helped produce The Pink Panther 2 and The Ugly Truth. He also worked on faith-based films like Not Easily Broken. He championed popular movies like The Karate Kid and Jumping the Broom. The Hollywood Reporter recognized him as a top young executive. The NAACP also named him a Top 10 Industry Impact Player.
In 2012, Franklin became Senior Vice President of Production at Columbia. This made him one of the youngest people in the industry to hold such a high position. He focused on urban and faith-based movies.
One of his first projects as Senior VP was Heaven Is for Real. This movie was based on a popular book. Franklin was deeply moved by the story. He wanted the film to bring hope to those who had lost loved ones. The movie was made for $12 million. It earned over $100 million worldwide. This made it one of the most successful faith-based films ever.
Franklin also worked on the movie Annie. He helped develop the script and oversaw its production. He noted that this version of Annie had a diverse cast. He felt the story of finding family was still very important today.
Franklin Entertainment
In July 2014, DeVon Franklin started his own company, Franklin Entertainment. It works with Sony Pictures Entertainment to make movies. In 2016, his company also signed a deal with 20th Century Fox.
In 2016, Franklin produced Miracles from Heaven. This film was based on a true story from a book. It starred Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah. The movie is about a girl who gets miraculously cured of a rare disease. It was made for $13 million and earned $73 million worldwide. It won the Teen Choice Award for Best Movie for Drama.
Franklin also helped produce the animated film The Star. This movie was inspired by the Nativity Story. It tells the story of a donkey and his friends following The Star. The film featured the voices of many famous actors. These included Kelly Clarkson, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry.
Franklin is working on several new film projects. These include Breakthrough, another true story of a miraculous recovery. He is also working on a new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe movie. On the TV side, he is producing a new version of Foxy Brown.
Preacher and TV Personality
DeVon Franklin started preaching at age 15. He often appears on The Dr. Oz Show. He shares advice on faith, relationships, and spiritual health. He has also been on shows like Dr. Phil and Oprah's Super Soul Sunday. Oprah even named him one of her SuperSoul100 visionaries.
Works
DeVon Franklin has written several best-selling books.
Produced by Faith
His first book, Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self, came out in 2012. It teaches how faith, life, and work can all connect. The book shows how to build a successful career without giving up your beliefs. Franklin says you don't have to compromise your faith to follow your dreams.
The Wait
Franklin co-wrote his second book, The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love, with his former wife Meagan Good. It became a New York Times bestseller in 2016. In the book, they share their own love story. They explain how waiting until marriage can help you find the right person. The book talks about the benefits of delayed gratification in all parts of life.
The Hollywood Commandments
The Hollywood Commandments: A Spiritual Guide to Secular Success was released in 2017. This book encourages readers to follow their passions. It covers career, relationships, and faith.
The Truth About Men
In 2019, he published The Truth About Men: What Men and Women Need to Know.
Personal Life
DeVon Franklin is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He lives in Los Angeles. In 2011, he started dating actress Meagan Good. They got married on June 16, 2012. They shared that they waited until marriage. In December 2021, it was announced that Franklin had filed for divorce from Good. Their divorce was finalized in June 2022.
Recognition
Beliefnet called him one of the "Most Influential Christians Under 40." Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch." Ebony Magazine also named him one of the "Top 100 Influential African-Americans in America."
Filmography
- Heaven Is for Real
- Miracles from Heaven
- Breakthrough
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- The Star
- Jesus Revolution
- Flamin' Hot
- On Fire
- King of the South
- Untitled Kirk Franklin Project
- Masters of the Universe
