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You’re in for a treat if you didn’t know just how cool Ryan Coogler is. The Oakland, CA native can’t be found on social media and tends to shy away from the Hollywood spotlight, but his stardom can’t be hidden. Not only is he an acclaimed American film director, producer, and screenwriter, but he’s also a Black man who holds it down for the culture by telling stories that highlight the multifaceted elements of the Black community.

Coogler is best known for his significant contributions to contemporary cinema, particularly superhero and independent films. He first gained widespread recognition with his debut feature film, Fruitvale Station, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and featured his ace, Michael B. Jordan. The film is a poignant biographical drama that tells the true story of Oscar Grant, a young African American man who was tragically killed by police in 2009. The film earned critical acclaim and established Coogler as a powerful voice in filmmaking. 

In a recent interview with Essence magazine, Jordan praised Coogler for his filmmaking skills, assuring the director that he was doing a “great job.” The characters and the stories you choose to tell, and what you want to put your lens on to, I think you know it’s been very personal,” the Sinners star shared. “The culture and the community, when they watch your movies and your films, they see a piece of themselves, of what is, what has been, and what could be. It’s not an easy thing to do, and you’ve been doing it to the highest level. It’s been great to be a part of.”

Ryan Coogler is a Force in the Film Industry

Coogler continued to rise in prominence with his work on the 2015 film Creed, which continued the beloved Rocky franchise. His movie Black Panther, which was released in 2018, made history as the first superhero film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its representation of African and African American culture. Black Panther was not only a commercial success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide, but also received numerous accolades, including several Academy Awards.

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One of Ryan’s most significant accomplishments to date is sustaining a relationship with his college sweetheart and wife, Zinzi Evans, whom he says helped him become the tenacious film director he is today. “My wife, she was my girl at the time, [and] they had a software where you could write screenplays,” he told radio hosts Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenburg, and Laura Stylez at Hot 97. “I was trying to write in Microsoft Word. It’s impossible because your format gotta be right. I was broke, playing football on the little scholarship money. And my wife scrapped together some cheese and bought me Final Draft, which is the software that you write your movies on. And she got me that.” The dynamic duo is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to conducting business and fashionably stepping out in those Hollywood streets. It’s nothing for the couple to don fierce ethic designer threads, further solidifying their love for the culture. 

Coogler’s work has had a profound impact on how stories are told in Hollywood, particularly those centered around the Black experience. He continues to be a leading figure in the film industry with projects that advocate for diversity and inclusivity in storytelling. 

Check out his latest film, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan.