F. Gary Gray is recognized as one of the industry's most prolific and versatile directors, known for consistently pushing the envelope, spotting new trends and talent, and delivering innovative and exciting entertainment to a diverse audience.
With his production company, Nucleus Entertainment, Inc., Gray produced the film The Sea of Trees for director Gus Van Sant, starring Academy Award® winner Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts. The drama, which had its premiere in competition at Cannes in 2015, follows the story of a suicidal American who befriends a Japanese man lost in a forest near Mount Fuji and together, the two search for a way out.
Gray's other films include Law Abiding Citizen, which starred Gerard Butler and Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx; Be Cool, based on Elmore Leonard's best-selling novel which starred Academy Award® nominees John Travolta and Uma Thurman; The Italian Job, a visually arresting thriller with an all-star cast, including Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron and Academy Award® nominee Mark Wahlberg; A Man Apart, which starred Vin Diesel; The Negotiator, which starred Academy Award® winner Kevin Spacey and Academy Award® nominee Samuel L. Jackson; the award-winning heist picture Set It Off, with Jada Pinkett Smith and Academy Award®-nominee and Golden Globe winner Queen Latifah; and Friday, which launched the extremely popular Friday film franchise, which starred rapper/producer Ice Cube and Chris Tucker.
Gray is also a leading member of his community and has been an active supporter of numerous organizations, including the Tom Bradley Youth & Family Center, My Friend's House Foundation and Urban Compass, among others. He has received multiple commendations from the city of Los Angeles for his philanthropic work.
Universal Pictures
