April 29, 2019
Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America President Thomas Schlamme made the following statement upon learning of the passing of John Singleton:
“John didn’t just make his feature film debut in 1991 with Boyz n the Hood, he exploded into Hollywood, our culture and our consciousness with such a powerful cinematic depiction of life in the inner city. The groundbreaking film would go on to make him the youngest person and the first African American ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. For the next three decades, John’s career as a film director flourished with such culturally resonant films ranging from Poetic Justice and Rosewood to Shaft and 2 Fast 2 Furious. His expansion into television was no less powerful, with his direction of American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson earning him a DGA Award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series in 2016. I was so fortunate to be a collaborator with John on the show Snowfall, and witnessed first-hand the enormous impact he had on so many.
“Despite such a busy and successful career, John prioritized his service at the Guild on the Western Directors Council, as former co-chair of the African-American Steering Committee, and as an alternate on our National Board – showing up to support his fellow members every chance that he got. Our hearts are heavier today at the DGA, as we mourn this tremendous loss.”
DGA Service and Awards:
Singleton was nominated for the DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series for American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson in 2016
Singleton, who joined the DGA in 1990, served three terms as a member of the Western Directors Council, in addition to three years as an alternate on the Council. He also served as an alternate on the National Board, as well as a co-chair of the African American Steering Committee.