- Title
- John Singleton Biography: Blair High School, USC Education, and 2 Oscar Nominations
- Meta description
- John Singleton biography covers his years at Blair High School in Pasadena and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Singleton, born January 6, 1968, earned 2 Oscar nominations for Boyz n the Hood.
Who Was John Singleton?
John Singleton was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for Boyz n the Hood, Poetic Justice, and Higher Learning. Boyz n the Hood (1991), Poetic Justice (1993), and Higher Learning (1995) are the films he is known for directing. He attended Blair High School in Pasadena and the University of Southern California (USC).
When and Where Was John Singleton Born?
John Singleton was born on January 6, 1968, in Los Angeles, California. His mother, Sheila Ward Johnson, was a pharmaceutical company executive, and his father, Danny Singleton, was a real estate agent, mortgage broker, and financial planner.
Which High School Did John Singleton Attend?
John Singleton attended Blair High School in Pasadena, California, and graduated in 1986. He worked for the school newspaper, where he reviewed films such as The Breakfast Club, Ladyhawke, Sixteen Candles, and Mask. The reviews led him to consider film school. He also attended Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California.
How Did John Singleton Get Into USC?
After graduating from high school in 1986 and spending time at Pasadena City College, Singleton was accepted into USC. The idea that became Boyz n the Hood appeared on his USC School of Cinematic Arts application under the working title Summer of ’84. He visited the USC campus before applying and received encouragement there.
What Did John Singleton Study at USC?
John Singleton studied screenwriting in the Filmic Writing Program of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He considered a career in computer science before enrolling in the program, where he studied under Margaret Mehring. His USC milestones were:
- Joining Kappa Alpha Psi in spring 1987 (Beta Omega chapter)
- Winning 3 writing awards (the awards led to a Creative Artists Agency contract)
- Signing with CAA as a sophomore (the agency signed him during his second year)
- Landing a Columbia Pictures deal as a senior (the deal came in his final year)
- Graduating in 1990 (he graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts)
How Did John Singleton Start His Film Career?
John Singleton started his film career with Boyz n the Hood, released in 1991. The screenplay was his USC student thesis. He wrote it in 1 draft over 3 weeks. Columbia Pictures showed strong interest in the script, and Singleton insisted on directing it himself. The cast included Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, and Laurence Fishburne.
What Oscar Nominations Did John Singleton Receive?
John Singleton received 2 Oscar nominations for Boyz n the Hood: Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. He was the first African American nominated for Best Director and the youngest nominee in the category. He was 24 years old at the time.
What Films Did John Singleton Direct?
John Singleton directed 7 feature films listed in the sources, in addition to television work. His television credits include episodes of Empire and American Horror Story. The films are:
- Boyz n the Hood (1991), his debut feature
- Poetic Justice (1993), his second film
- Higher Learning (1995), his third film
- Rosewood (1997), a period piece about a racist attack
- 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), the second installment in its franchise
- Four Brothers (2005), starring Tyrese Gibson, Mark Wahlberg, André Benjamin, and Garrett Hedlund
- Abduction (2011), a thriller starring Taylor Lautner
When and How Did John Singleton Die?
John Singleton died on April 29, 2019, at age 51, after a stroke. He died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after being removed from life support. His family said he was hospitalized after the stroke on April 17. The family statement said he had quietly struggled with hypertension.
What Is the Timeline of John Singleton’s Life?
The table lists 8 events in John Singleton’s life by year.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Born on January 6 in Los Angeles, California |
| 1986 | Graduated from Blair High School in Pasadena |
| 1987 | Initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi at USC |
| 1990 | Graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts |
| 1991 | Released Boyz n the Hood, his debut feature |
| 1992 | Received Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay |
| 2019 | Suffered a stroke on April 17 |
| 2019 | Died on April 29 at age 51 |
People Also Ask
Did John Singleton attend Blair High School?
Yes, John Singleton attended Blair High School in Pasadena, California, and graduated in 1986.
Where did John Singleton go to college?
John Singleton attended Pasadena City College and then the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
When did John Singleton graduate from USC?
John Singleton graduated from USC in 1990.
How old was John Singleton when he received an Oscar nomination?
John Singleton was 24 years old when he received his Oscar nomination for Best Director.
What Is the Summary of John Singleton’s Biography?
John Singleton was born on January 6, 1968, in Los Angeles, graduated from Blair High School in 1986, and graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1990. He directed Boyz n the Hood in 1991 and received 2 Oscar nominations. He died on April 29, 2019, at age 51.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter; BlackPast; Amsterdam News; CBS News; Associated Press via FOX affiliates; Far Out Magazine; Wikipedia.