DeVon Franklin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeVon Franklin
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DeVon Franklin at 2025 Essence Festival of Culture.
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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 speaker who inspires people. He is famous for movies like Miracles from Heaven and Heaven Is for Real. He also wrote the best-selling book The Wait with his former wife, Meagan Good.
Contents
Growing Up: DeVon Franklin's Early Life
DeVon Franklin grew up in Oakland, California. His parents were Donald Ray Franklin and Paulette Franklin. He has two brothers, Donald Ray and David Brandon. His parents later separated. His mother and the three boys moved in with his grandparents.
A few years later, DeVon's father passed away at age 36. He had a heart attack. His mother, grandmother, and seven aunts became a strong group of women. DeVon calls them a "coalition." They guided him and his brothers after their father's death.
In 2016, DeVon wrote about his childhood. He said his mother made sure they had strong men in their lives. These included his grandfather and his pastor, who was also his uncle. But his mother also brought together a group of women. These nine women helped raise him and his brothers. They shaped the men they would become.
After his father passed away, DeVon focused on school and activities. This helped him cope with his loss. It also led to his interest in theater and movies. As a teenager, he studied films and TV shows. He wanted to learn how stories were made. He hoped to inspire people through entertainment. He also started helping at his uncle's church. He gave his first sermon at just 15 years old.
Education and Learning
DeVon Franklin went to the University of Southern California. He graduated in 2000. He studied Business Administration and also Cinema-Television.
Career in Entertainment
Starting His Career Journey
DeVon Franklin began his career while still in college. He interned at Overbrook Entertainment. There, he worked for famous people like Will Smith. After graduating, he got a full-time job at Overbrook. Later, he worked at Tracey Edmonds' company, Edmonds Entertainment. He was a junior executive there.
Working at Big Studios
In 2003, DeVon moved to Hollywood's studio system. He became a creative executive at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). In his book, Produced by Faith, DeVon said his time at MGM was important. It helped him remember his love for filmmaking. He helped with movies like Be Cool. He always tried to add value, even as a new employee.
His time at MGM was short. In 2005, Sony Pictures Entertainment bought MGM. DeVon was offered a job at Sony's Columbia Pictures. He became a Director of Development there.
In his new role at Columbia, DeVon oversaw many hit films. These included The Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock, and Seven Pounds. His work on these movies led to his promotion to Vice President (VP) at Columbia. He also worked with Will Smith again, who was his mentor.
DeVon shared that The Pursuit of Happyness showed him what was possible. He wanted to make films that inspire audiences. He said, "I want people's hearts to be touched, their lives to be touched." He also wanted these films to do well at the box office.
As VP at Columbia Pictures, DeVon supervised many films. He helped produce The Pink Panther 2 and Not Easily Broken. He also worked on The Ugly Truth and Whitney Houston's Sparkle. He supported successful movies like The Karate Kid and Jumping the Broom. He was recognized as one of the youngest and most important executives under 35. The NAACP also named him a Top 10 Industry Impact Player.
In 2012, DeVon continued to advance at Columbia. He became Senior Vice President of Production. This made him one of the youngest people in the industry to hold such a high position. In this role, he developed new movie ideas. He focused on films for diverse and faith-based audiences. Examples include the remake of Annie and the hit movie Heaven Is For Real.
One of DeVon's first projects as Senior VP was adapting Heaven Is for Real. He read the book quickly and loved its message. He helped develop the script and oversaw the whole project. He wanted the movie to bring peace to those who had lost loved ones. DeVon lost his own father when he was young. He wanted audiences to feel hope and inspiration. Heaven Is for Real was made for $12 million. It earned over $100 million at the box office. This made it one of the highest-earning faith-based films ever.
Another big project was the new version of "Annie." DeVon was an executive on this film. He developed the script and oversaw the production. He also helped promote the movie. He noted that this "Annie" was special because it had a diverse cast. It showed modern New York with a new feel. He said the story of Annie finding her family is still very important today. It is a classic story about faith, connection, and family.
Starting Franklin Entertainment
DeVon Franklin started his own company, Franklin Entertainment, in July 2014. He first had a deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Franklin Entertainment is a multimedia company. DeVon is its president and CEO. In 2016, the company signed a new deal with 20th Century Fox.
In 2016, DeVon produced the hit film Miracles from Heaven. This movie is based on a true story. It stars Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah. The film tells the story of a girl with a rare disease. After an accident, she is miraculously cured. The movie cost $13 million to make. It earned $73 million worldwide. It was nominated for several awards and won Best Movie for Drama at the Teen Choice Awards.
DeVon was also an executive producer for the animated film The Star. This movie is based on the Nativity Story. It focuses on a donkey and his friends following The Star. It was released in 2017. Many famous actors lent their voices to the characters.
DeVon Franklin has several other film projects. These include Breakthrough. This movie tells the true story of John Smith. He drowned and had no pulse for almost an hour. His mother prayed, and he suddenly had a pulse. DeVon is also working on a new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe movie. He is also remaking the film Cooley High.
Preacher and TV Personality
DeVon Franklin began preaching at age 15. He often appears on The Dr. Oz Show. He shares advice on faith, relationships, and spiritual well-being. He has also been on other shows like Dr. Phil and Oprah's Super Soul Sunday. Oprah named him one of her "SuperSoul100" influential leaders.
Books by DeVon Franklin
DeVon Franklin has written several best-selling books. These include Produced by Faith, The Wait, and The Hollywood Commandments.
Produced by Faith
Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self came out in June 2012. This book talks about how faith, life, and work are connected. It offers a plan for a successful career without losing your beliefs. DeVon says, "The idea of the book is, you don't have to compromise your faith to pursue your career dreams." He helps readers find their life's purpose. He also shows how to advance their careers while staying true to their values.
The Wait
DeVon Franklin 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. The book was released in February 2016. It quickly became a New York Times bestseller. In the book, they share their own love story. They explain that waiting until marriage can help you find the right person. The book gives advice on how waiting can improve relationships.
The Hollywood Commandments
The Hollywood Commandments: A Spiritual Guide to Secular Success was released on September 26, 2017. This book encourages readers to follow their passions. It covers all parts of life, including 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 Seventh-day Adventist. He lives in Los Angeles. In 2011, he started dating actress Meagan Good. They married on June 16, 2012, in Malibu, California. They shared that they chose to wait until marriage. In December 2021, it was announced that DeVon had filed for divorce from Meagan Good. Their divorce was finalized in June 2022.
Recognition and Awards
Beliefnet called DeVon Franklin one of the "Most Influential Christians Under 40." Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch." Ebony Magazine also listed him as one of the "Top 100 Influential African-Americans in America."
Filmography
- Divorced Sistas
- 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
