Stan Lathan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stan Lathan
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Lathan in 2016
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| Born | July 9, 1945 |
| Education | Pennsylvania State University (1967) |
| Occupation | Director, producer |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Spouse(s) | Marguerite Lathan (m. 1982 - ) Eleanor McCoy (m.1970–1977) |
| Children | 5, including Sanaa Lathan |
| Awards | Two Grammy Awards Three Primetime Emmy Awards Tony Award Peabody Award Six NAACP Image Awards |
Stan Lathan (born July 8, 1945) is an American director and producer for television and movies. He is known for directing and producing many popular comedy shows and specials. He has worked on shows like Real Husbands of Hollywood and directed several stand-up comedy specials for comedian Dave Chappelle.
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Early Life and Education
Stan Lathan grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of three boys. His mother worked in an office. His brothers became a doctor and a musician.
Lathan finished Overbrook High School in 1963. He then studied theater at Pennsylvania State University, earning his degree in 1967. After college, he moved to Boston.
Starting in Television
In 1968, Lathan joined the TV station WGBH-TV. He helped create and direct Say Brother. This was the first TV show in the United States made entirely by, for, and about African Americans.
Stan Lathan's Career in Directing
Stan Lathan began directing TV shows for major networks in 1973. He moved to Los Angeles to direct episodes of Sanford & Son. He also directed many other well-known shows like Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, and Cagney & Lacey. In 1984, he directed the movie Beat Street.
Comedy and Poetry Shows
In 1989, Lathan teamed up with Russell Simmons to create Def Comedy Jam for HBO. This show ran for eight seasons and helped many comedians become famous. Lathan also received a Peabody Award in 2003 for the series Def Poetry on HBO. That same year, he helped produce Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, which won a Tony Award.
Directing TV Show Pilots
Lathan has directed the very first episodes, called pilots, for many popular sitcoms. These include Martin, Moesha, The Parkers, The Steve Harvey Show, and Real Husbands of Hollywood.
Working with Dave Chappelle
Stan Lathan has directed and produced many stand-up comedy specials for comedian Dave Chappelle. Their first hour-long special was Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly in 2000. He continued to work with Chappelle on specials like For What It's Worth and several for Netflix, including The Bird Revelation, Equanimity, and Sticks & Stones.
Other Projects and Awards
Lathan also directed comedy specials for other stars, like Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher. He directed dramas for public television shows such as Great Performances. He was also one of the first directors for the famous children's show Sesame Street.
In 2006, Lathan helped create Run's House, a reality show for MTV. He also worked on other reality series.
Lathan has received many awards for his work. He has won six NAACP Image Awards. He was honored by the Directors Guild of America in 2014. In 2017, he received the Trailblazer Award from the Apollo Theater. He has also won two Grammy Awards and three Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Dave Chappelle's comedy specials.
