Stan Lathan
Birth Name:
Stan Lathan
Birth Place:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Profession
Director, Producer, Writer
Fast Facts
- The pilot of his comedy series "The Soul Man" earned him a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series at the 2013 Image Awards
- Started his career working for Boston public television, co-creating and directing an early urban-themed news magazine called "Say Brother․"
- Quote: "There's a lot of great music out there, but nowadays the TV industry measure audiences and demographics down to a science․ It's hard to put something on TV that's judged only for its aesthetic effect․"
- His love of music, performance and dance paid off when he started directing the variety show "Soul!" which showcased African American music, dance and literature
- Moved to New York to direct and produce documentaries for Black Journal, and made approximately a dozen documentaries over a course of 2 years
- Was one of the first directors of "Sesame Street," the first commercial television show that used curriculum and educational goals to shape its content
- Worked with Russell Simmons on a number of productions, beginning with "Def Comedy Jam," a series that launched the careers of such stars as Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and Mike Epps
Awards
- 1984Blue Ribbon Award - Drama:Winner
- 1984CINE Golden Eagle - Documentary:Winner
- 1985CINE Golden Eagle - Drama:Winner
- 1993CableACE - Stand-Up Comedy Special or Series:Nominated
- 1994CableACE - Stand-Up Comedy Series:Nominated
- 1995CableACE - Stand-Up Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2005Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special:Nominated
- 2013Image Award - Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2014Image Award - Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2015Image Award - Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2016Image Award - Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2018DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials:Nominated
- 2018Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded):Winner
- 2018Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special:Nominated
- 2020DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials:Nominated
- 2020PGA Award - Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television:Nominated
- 2020Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded):Winner
- 2020Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special:Winner
- 2022DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials:Nominated
- 2022Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special:Nominated
- 2022Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded):Nominated
- 2024DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials:Nominated
- 2024PGA Award - Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment, Variety, Sketch, Standup & Talk Television:Nominated
- 2024Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded):Nominated
- 2024Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special:Nominated