Was an All-American wrestler in high school and college
Worked as a computer programmer before being discovered by a talent agent when he accompanied a friend to a modeling convention in Dallas, and was persuaded to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, even though he had no prior acting experience
Big break came in 2007 when Denzel Washington cast him in The Great Debaters, which Washington was directing
Made his screenwriting and directorial debut with The Birth of a Nation at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival; the movie sold to Fox Searchlight for $17
5 million, establishing a record price for an acquisition at Sundance
In March 2016, announced the fall opening of the Nate Parker School of Film and Drama at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas
Awards
2016Sundance Film Festival-U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic:winner
2016Sundance Film Festival-Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic:winner