Happy 51st Birthday, F. Gary Gray! Born today in 1969 as Felix Gary Gray, this African-American music video director, actor, film producer and film director began his career in the late 1980s when he appeared uncredited in the satirical 1989 American sports/comedy film 'Major League'.
Three years later, Gray began his career as a director for numerous, critically acclaimed and award-winning music videos.
These included "It Was a Good Day" by African-American rapper, actor, and filmmaker Ice Cube and "Natural Born Killaz" by African-American rapper, record producer, audio engineer, record executive, entrepreneur, and actor Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
These also included "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" by Dr. Dre, "Waterfalls" by African-American girl group TLC and "Ms. Jackson" by African-American hip hop duo Outkast.
At twenty-four, Gray made his his first feature directorial debut. This was with the 1995 American stoner comedy/drama film 'Friday'.
Also among his credits of the 1990s, he is known for directing the 1996 American crime action/thriller heist film 'Set It Off' and the 1998 American action/drama thriller film 'The Negotiator'.
Of the 2000s, Gray is known for directing the 2003 American heist action/thriller film 'The Italian Job', the 2005 American comedy crime film 'Be Cool' and the 2009 American vigilante action thriller/drama film 'Law Abiding Citizen'.
Of the 2010s, Gray is known for directing the 2015 American biographical drama/crime film 'Straight Outta Compton' and the 2017 American action/thriller film 'The Fate of the Furious' (alternatively known as 'F8' and 'Fast & Furious 8').
The eighth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, 'The Fate of the Furious' is the 18th-highest-grossing film of all time. On a budget of $250 million, it grossed $1.236 billion at the box office.
However, Gray is best known for co-producing and directing 'Straight Outta Compton', The film was also co-produced by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.
Set in 1988, a groundbreaking new group N.W.A. revolutionizes music and pop culture, changing and influencing hip-hop forever. Their first studio album, "Straight Outta Compton," stirs controversy with its brutally honest depiction of life in Southern Los Angeles and Compton, California.
With guidance from veteran American music manager and businessman Gerald Elliott "Jerry" Heller (Paul Giamatti), band members Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), DJ Yella (Neil Brown Jr.) and MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) navigate their way through the industry, acquiring fame, fortune and a place in history.
In the film, Ice cube is played by African-American actor and rapper Jackson Jr. In real life, he is the son of Ice Cube. 'Straight Outta Compton' was the feature film debut of Jackson Jr.
Talks of an N.W.A. biopic began in 2010 by New Line Cinema. Several directors were approached, including John Singleton ('Boyz n the Hood'), Craig Brewer and Peter Berg before Gray was confirmed in April 2012.
On a budget between $28–$50 million,'Straight Outta Compton' grossed $201.8 million at the box office.
It was later chosen by National Board of Review of Motion Pictures as one of the Top Ten Films of 2015.
The film later inspired Dr. Dre's third studio album, Compton, which debuted at no. 2 on the US Billboard 200 album chart a week prior to the film's release.
The following year, 'Straight Outta Compton' was nominated an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. However, it didn't win. This occurred at the 88th Academy Awards in late February 2016.
During the event that sparked the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag due to lack of diversity, Gray was noted by many sources to have missed out on a nomination for Best Director for his work on 'Straight Outta Compton'.
The soundtrack album, featuring music by N.W.A, debuted at no. 1 on the Rap Albums chart and reached no. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Heller later filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers, protesting his depiction and claiming that parts were taken from his autobiography without permission.
Gray has been active from 1989–present.
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