F. GARY GRAY most recently directed the suspense-thriller The Negotiator, starring Kevin Spacey and Samuel L. Jackson, which won the Best Film and Best Director awards at the Acapulco Film Festival, and was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller. He received widespread critical praise for his second feature, Set It Off, a gripping action drama starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah and Vivica A. Fox, that became New Line’s highest grossing release of 1996 and received a Cognac Film Festival Award. His debut feature was the hit comedy Friday, starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker; made for a budget of $2 million, the motion picture grossed $30 million, making it one of the most profitable pictures of 1995.
Gray recently completed directing Paramount’s The Italian Job, which stars Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron and Seth Green. The film will be released on May 30, 2003.
For television, Gray executive produced and directed the pilot episode of Fox Television’s critically acclaimed show "Ryan Caulfield: Year One" which debuted in May 1999.
Before beginning his film career, Gray worked as a freelance cameraman. He segued from his work as a cameraman to directing the short film Divided We Fall, borrowing expensive professional equipment from friends and associates.
Gray eventually became a pioneer and award-winning director in music video, bringing rap culture to mainstream awareness. He went on to direct videos for such recording artists as Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige and TLC, and helped to provide mainstream exposure for such artists as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Coolio.
At the 1995 MTV Music Video Awards, Gray was a multiple winner, receiving four awards for TLC’s "Waterfalls," including Video of the Year, and the Best Rap Video Award for Dr. Dre’s "Keep Their Heads Ringin’." Also in 1995, Gray earned the Billboard Music Video Award for Best Rap Video and Best New Artist Rap Video.
Gray’s video of Ice Cube’s "It Was a Good Day" was included in Rolling Stone magazine’s "Top 100 Best Videos of All Time." He was also nominated for a Grammy for directing Stevie Wonder and Babyface’s "How Come, How Long."
To date, Gray has received 16 awards and 23 nominations for his direction of various music videos, including an Image Award from the NAACP for "Waterfalls."
Gray also directed the music videos "Turn Back the Hand of Time" for R. Kelly, and "Ms. Jackson" for hip-hop group OutKast.
Still in his 30’s, Gray has reached the pinnacle of films, television, and music videos, having directed some of the most acclaimed, award-winning performances of our time. With each new project, he continues to showcase his intensity and passion for film. Gray’s dynamic visuals and storytelling talent have made him one of the most unique and sought-after directors in film today.
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