Thomas Carter (director) facts for kids

Thomas Colbert Carter, born on July 17, 1953, is an American director, producer, and actor. He is famous for directing movies like Swing Kids, Save the Last Dance, and Coach Carter. As an actor, he is best known for playing James "Hollywood" Hayward in the TV show The White Shadow.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Carter was born in Austin, Texas, on July 17, 1953. He grew up in a town called Smithville. After finishing high school, he went to Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

He studied theater and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1974. Later, in 1992, Texas State University honored him with the "Distinguished Alumnus Award." This award celebrates successful former students.

Career Highlights

Thomas Carter started his career as an actor. Over time, he became a well-known director and producer.

Acting Roles in Television

Carter's first acting jobs were in many TV shows and movies. These included popular shows like M*A*S*H, Lou Grant, and Good Times. He was also a regular on the sitcom Szysznyk in 1977.

He is most famous for his role as James Hayward in The White Shadow. This show ran from 1978 to 1980. James Hayward was a smart but troubled teenager who played basketball. He had to take care of his mom and younger brother.

Directing and Producing for Television

Carter directed four episodes of The White Shadow. This experience made him want to direct full-time. He then helped create and direct pilot episodes for many TV series. These included St. Elsewhere (1982) and Miami Vice (1984).

He also co-created and produced Equal Justice (1990). This show featured a diverse cast. Carter wanted to show more different kinds of people on TV. He felt that there were not enough diverse roles for African-American actors.

In 1995, Carter produced Under One Roof. This drama starred James Earl Jones. It showed the lives of an African American family in Seattle, Washington. Even though it only had six episodes, it got a lot of attention. Carter believed it was important to show such a complex African American family on TV.

Carter also directed episodes for other shows like Fame and Remington Steele. He directed nine episodes of the police drama Hill Street Blues. From 2002 to 2004, he was an executive producer for the crime series Hack. This show was about a former police officer who became a taxi driver.

Film Directing Career

Thomas Carter has directed several movies. Some of his well-known films include:

• Swing Kids (1993)
• Metro (1997)
• Save the Last Dance (2001)
• Coach Carter (2005)
• Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)

Awards and Recognition

Thomas Carter has won many awards for his work in television and film.

• In 1981, he won a DGA Award for directing Hill Street Blues.
• He has won three Emmy Awards. Two were for directing Equal Justice in 1990 and 1991. The third was for producing the TV movie Don King: Only in America in 1998.
• For Don King: Only in America, he also received a Peabody Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Award.

Filmography

As director

• Swing Kids (1993)
• Metro (1997)
• Save the Last Dance (2001)
• Coach Carter (2005)
• Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)
• When the Game Stands Tall (2014)

Television (as director)

• The White Shadow - four episodes
• Hill Street Blues - nine episodes
• Fame - three episodes
• Remington Steele - episode #8 "Your Steele the One for Me"
• St. Elsewhere - four episodes
• Amazing Stories - episodes: #15 "One for the Road"; #18 "Dorothy and Ben"
• Miami Vice - episode #1 "Brother's Keeper"
• Hack - episodes: #1 "Pilot"; #2 "Favors"
• Roots - Part 3
• Animal Kingdom' - episode #12 "Karma"
• The Resident - episode #8 "Family Affair"
• Five Points - episode #3 "Too Soon to Tell"
• SEAL Team - episode #32 "Prisoner's Dilemma"
• Project Blue Book - episodes: #7 "The Scoutmaster"; #8 "War Games"
• New Amsterdam - episode #20 "Preventable"
• The Code - episode #7 "Above the Knee"
• The Red Line - episode #8 "This Victory Alone Is Not The Change We Seek"

Movies (as actor)

• The Monkey Hu$tle (1976) - Player
• Almost Summer (1978) - Dean Hampton
• Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981) - Orderly John

See also

In Spanish: Thomas Carter para niños