Singleton, John Daniel (1968- )

US film director. Singleton's debut film, Boyz N the Hood (1991), explored the gang-based lives of black youths in South Central Los Angeles. Singleton became the youngest individual and the first black American ever nominated for an Academy Award for best director for the film. He also earned a separate nomination for best screenplay. He followed this success by writing and directing the inner-city drama Poetic Justice (1993), which starred Janet Jackson and the late rap artist Tupac Shakur. His film Rosewood (1997) dealt with the burning of a small prosperous black town in Idaho by the white population of a neighbouring town.

Later films include the crime thrillers Shaft (2000) and 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003).

Born in Los Angeles, California, Singleton studied film writing at the University of Southern California's Film School (1986-90). While still a student there, he was signed by Creative Artists Agency, following his receipt of the Robert Riskin Writing Award and the Jack Nicholson Writing Award in an unprecedented two consecutive years.