Kenya Barris
Kenya Barris | |
---|---|
![]() Barris at the Peabody Award in 2016 | |
Born | Inglewood, California, United States | August 9, 1974
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Clark Atlanta University |
Occupation(s) | Television producer, screenwriter |
Notable work | Black-ish Girls Trip |
Spouse |
Dr Rainbow Barris
(m. 1999; div. 2019) |
Children | 6 |
Kenya Barris (born August 9, 1974) is an American television writer and producer.
Early life and education
Barris was born in Inglewood, California,[1] and is an alumnus of Clark Atlanta University.[2][3]
Career
Barris has created numerous television shows, including the critically acclaimed Black-ish. The award-winning series has also two spin-offs, Grown-ish and Mixed-ish. He was a writer for The Game and Soul Food.[4][3][5] Barris co created and produced America's Next Top Model with Tyra Banks.[4] He penned the film Girls Trip. He co produced the 2019 film, Little.[6] He co wrote the screenplay for the 2019 theatrical release, Shaft.
In May 2019, it was announced that Barris will make his acting debut in a series developed by himself and ordered by Netflix. Titled #BlackAF, it will co star Rashida Jones.[7][8]
Awards
In 2019, Black-ish won several NAACP Image Awards. It was named best comedy series and Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson took acting honors. Black-ish was the winner of the Entertainment and Children's Peabody Award in 2016.[9] Barris and Black-ish also won the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.[10]
Barris was nominated for the same award in 2018. He was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2016, a Gold Derby Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television Comedy in 2016, and a PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy Black-ish in 2014.[11] In 2016, Barris won the Rod Serling Award for Advancing Social Justice Through Popular Media.[12]
In 2018, he donated $1 million to Clark Atlanta University, and was granted an honorary doctorate in humane letters.[13]
Personal life
He was married to Rania "Rainbow" Barris, an anesthesiologist and the inspiration behind Tracee Ellis Ross' character on Black-ish, but, on August 9, 2019, he filed for divorce.[14]
They have six children.
References
- ^ "Film Bio: Kenya Barris - The Talk - Race in America - PBS". 10 January 2017.
- ^ "You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes : Kenya Barris Returns".
- ^ a b "Kenya Barris On 'Black-ish' And What Kids Lose When They Grow Up With More".
- ^ a b Nussbaum, Emily (April 25, 2016). "In Living Color" – via The New Yorker.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 21, 2015). "'black-ish' Creator Kenya Barris Inks Overall Deal With ABC Studios".
- ^ Harriot, Michael (January 9, 2019). "#BlackGirlMagic: Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History". The Grapevine. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Andreeva, Nellie (2019-05-10). "Kenya Barris & Rashida Jones To Star In Barris' First Netflix Series 'Black Excellence'". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
- ^ Rico, Klaritza (2020-03-19). "TV News Roundup: Showtime Releases 'Billions' Season 5 Trailer". Variety. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
- ^ "75th Annual Entertainment & Children's Programming Winners". Peabody Awards. Peabody Awards. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "48th NAACP Image Awards". 48th NAACP Image Awards. NAACP Image Awards. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "Kenya Barris Awards". IMDB. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ Lewis, Dave. "Creator of 'black-ish' Kenya Barris to receive the 2016 Rod Serling Award". ENTERTAINMENT/TELEVISION. L.A. Times.
- ^ "Blackish creator to give million-ish to Clark Atlanta University in Grown-ish gift". AJC. AJC.
- ^ Uwumarogie, Victoria (2019-08-12). "Black-ish Creator Kenya Barris Files For Divorce From Wife — And Inspo Behind "Rainbow" — After 20 Years Together". MadameNoire. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
External links
- Kenya Barris at IMDb