Age: 40
male
Ryan Kyle Coogler (born May 23, 1986) is an American filmmaker. He has received an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, four Black Reel Awards, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and ten NAACP Image Awards. Coogler directed a few short films at the USC School of Cinematic Arts before his feature-length debut with Fruitvale Station (2013). He then transitioned to directing and writing franchise films, including the Rocky series spinoff, Creed (2015), as well as the Marvel films Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). Coogler also produced the historical drama Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) and the supernatural horror film Sinners (2025), which he also wrote and directed. He received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture for both films, while for Sinners, he was also nominated for Best Director and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. In 2013, he was included on Time's list of the 30 people under 30 who are changing the world. In 2018, Coogler was named the runner-up of Time's Person of the Year, and he was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. In 2021, Coogler, his wife, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian founded multimedia production company Proximity Media. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ryan Coogler, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Ryan Coogler
Director
for Director in Unbreakable Soul: The Teddy Pendergrass Story
Suggested by kamsismith
"Unbreakable Soul: The Teddy Pendergrass Story" is a compelling and authentic portrayal of the iconic artist's life, taking audiences on a rollercoaster journey through the highs and lows of his career and personal life. From his early days as a church choir singer to becoming the lead vocalist of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and later, a solo sensation, Teddy's story is one of ambition, talent, and perseverance. The film delves into Teddy's struggles with fame, the pressures of the music industry, and his complex relationships with those who helped shape his career, including Harold Melvin and his manager, Shep Gordon. But at the heart of this biopic is the love story between Teddy and his wife, Joan Pendergrass, who stood by him through thick and thin, offering unwavering support and love. The pivotal moment in Teddy's life occurs when a tragic car accident in 1982 leaves him paralyzed from the waist down, threatening to end his career and shatter his spirit. Yet, the film takes us on a journey of Teddy's remarkable resilience and determination as he defies all odds to make a triumphant comeback, proving that his soul and voice remain unbreakable.
