Darren Grant Biography

Date of Birth: 1969

Born in Seattle, Darren Grant lived there for the first 19 years of his life. He was introduced to the film industry early on by his mother, Patsy Hilbert, an independent filmmaker. A pillar of the Seattle film scene, Hilbert directed several award-winning films and contributed to popular commercial campaigns in the city.

After graduating from Sammamish High School in Bellevue, Grant set out to San Diego State University in a Volkswagen bug he had bought for $300. Unfortunately, three hours into the trip the engine blew, so he had to bus it the rest of the way. After two years at SDSU with an undeclared major, Grant transferred to Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles. There he earned his BA and completed his formal education in film.

For about a year, Grant put his talents towards directing music videos and a collection of award-winning commercials. Grant is often recognized by record and film company executives for his ability to present elements of an artist's personality that had not been captured on film before. This made him one of the most sought after music video directors in the business. Most of his projects were in the Pop, R&B and Hip-Hop genres, working with such artists as Jay Z, Destiny's Child, Mya, Wyclef Jean, Jewel, Missy Elliot and Aaliyah.

Grant has been awarded the Video Music Award for R&B Video of the year for Destiny Child's video for "Survivor"; the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video for "Stomp" with Kirk Franklin; Billboard Music Video Awards for Best Dance new Artist Clip and Best R&B New Artist Clip for the Craig David video "Fill Me In"; and the Music Video Production Association Award for Adult Contemporary Video of the Year for Jewel's "Standing Still" video.

During this time, Grant had been looking for a project with which to make his feature directorial debut. When he read the script for Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005), he knew he had found the right film. Made on an estimated $5.5 million, Diary of a Mad Black Woman took America by storm when it opened in the top spot at the box office in March 2005, earning $21.9 million during its first weekend.

Filmography:

Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)