Raised in South Central Los Angeles

Signed with Creative Artists Agency while still studying at USC

Wrote and directed (also has bit part as a mailman) first feature, "Boyz N the Hood"

Became the first black director and the youngest filmmaker to receive Academy Award nomination for Best Direction

Directed the Michael Jackson music video, "Remember the Time"

Helmed second feature, "Poetic Justice"

Can be sighted in bit role of a fire fighter in "Beverly Hills Cop III"

Signed two-year, first-look deal with Universal; disolved partnership after eight months in July 1996

Produced, wrote and directed "Higher Learning"

Directed "Rosewood"

Signed exclusive eighteen month development deal with Warner Bros. TV; co-created and directed pilot for proposed series "Crash"

Directed loose remake of "Shaft" with Samuel L Jackson in the title role

Helmed "Baby Boy", a coming-of-age story of a 20-year-old street hustler with two children by two different women

Directed the sequel "2 Fast and 2 Furious"

Produced the indie film "Hustle & Flow," which centers on a pimp-hustler with a mid-life crisis who wants to rap

Directed Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese, Garrett Hedlund and André 3000 as brothers out to avenge their mother's murder in the drama "Four Brothers"