The HistoryMakers

Prolific director and television producer Stan Lathan was born on July 8, 1945, in Philadelphia. The youngest of three children, Lathan attended public school in Philadelphia and went on to attend Pennsylvania State University, earning a B.A. in 1967.

Lathan began his directing career with the popular African American PBS series Say Brother. He began directing episodes of Sesame Street in 1969 while working with well-known film director William Greaves. Over the next decades, Lathan directed numerous hit shows, including The Redd Foxx Show, Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Martin and It's Garry Shandling's Show. He has also directed a number of dance specials for PBS featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham's Dance Company and the Royal Winipeg Ballet. More recently, he has executive produced and directed Cedric "The Entertainer" Presents and produced and directed It's Black Entertainment, a two-hour musical documentary for Showtime. Lathan has not limited himself to television, having directed Beat Street and Save the Children, both feature-length motion pictures, as well as serving as executive producer for Gridlock'd and How To Be A Player.

Currently, Lathan is executive producer and director of the HBO series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, and he is the co-creator of Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam. He is also responsible for developing the concept for Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, which won a Tony Award in 2003 for best Special Theatrical Event. Def Poetry Jam is touring nationally and in Europe.

Lathan has been honored with four NAACP Image Awards and The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters Award for his achievements. He serves on the Board of Directors of the RUSH Philanthropic Arts Foundation and on the Board of Visitors for the School of Communications at Pennsylvania State University.

Lathan and his wife, Marguerite, live in Beverly Hills.

Lathan was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on June 25, 2003.