Stan Lathan is a highly accomplished and renowned producer and director, with a remarkable career spanning television and film. With an impressive array of credits to his name, he has consistently demonstrated his versatility and expertise in various genres.
Throughout his illustrious career, Lathan has directed pilots for numerous popular sitcoms, including Real Husbands of Hollywood, The Soul Man, Amen, Martin, Moesha, The Parkers, and The Steve Harvey Show.
In 1991, Lathan co-founded HBO's groundbreaking Def Comedy Jam with partner Russell Simmons, producing and directing the Tony Award-winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. He also directed the iconic hip-hop film Beat Street.
Lathan has also been instrumental in producing and directing several notable comedy specials for HBO, including Dave Chappelle's Killin' Them Softly and For What It's Worth, as well as Cedric the Entertainer's Taking You Higher.
In addition to his work in comedy, Lathan has also directed dance specials with renowned choreographers Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, as well as dramas for esteemed series such as Great Performances, American Playhouse, and The American Short Story. He was also an original director for the beloved children's program Sesame Street.
From 2013 to 2016, Lathan executive produced and directed The Real Husbands of Hollywood for BET, as well as TV Land's The Soul Man.
Throughout his career, Lathan has received numerous accolades, including the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors, six NAACP Image Awards, and a recent honor from the Directors Guild of America for his distinguished directing career.
In September 2018, Lathan won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for Dave Chappelle: Equanimity, further solidifying his reputation as a masterful director and producer.
