The pre-eminent American photojournalist of sub-Saharan descent. An acclaimed photographer for Life magazine from the late 40s through late 60s, he turned to directing films, his second of which, the blaxploitation movie Shaft (1971), achieved success at the box office. In 1989 his first film effort, The Learning Tree (1969), was selected among ...
Gordon Parks Jr., Leslie Parks, David Parks, Toni Parks-Parsons
Parents
Jackson Parks, Sarah Parks
Siblings
Maggie Lee
Awards
List of recipients of the National Medal of Arts, Spingarn Medal, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award
Movies
The Learning Tree, Shaft, Shaft's Big Score, The Super Cops, Leadbelly, Solomon Northup's Odyssey, Half Past Autumn, An Unlikely Weapon: The Eddie Adams Story, Flavio, Moments Without Proper Names
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Quote
1
[1976 interview in "The Village Voice"] I don't make black exploitation films.
Two of his films, The Learning Tree (1969) and Shaft (1971), are in the National Film Registry.
3
Became very close with author Candace Bushnell soon after she moved to Manhattan.
4
Frequently smoked a pipe when he made cameo appearances.
5
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Writers Branch)
6
He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1988 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
7
Best known for his gritty photo essays on the grinding effects of poverty in the United States and abroad and on the spirit of the civil rights movement.
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He was the youngest of 15 children. He dropped out of high school after his mother died. His jobs included playing piano in a brothel before he became interested in photography while working as a train porter.
9
Was the commencement speaker at the Kansa City Art Institute's Class of 1984 graduation.
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Has three schools named after him at lifetime: The Gordon Parks Elementary School in Kansas City, MO; Gordon Parks Academy in East Orange, NJ; Gordon Parks High School in St. Paul, MN.
Godfather to 'Quibilah Shabazz', the daughter of Malcolm X (1920-65).
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First African-American to write, produce and direct a film for a major studio (Warner Brothers): The Learning Tree (1969), which was based on his semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.
lyrics: "Blowin' Your Mind Theme from Shaft's Big Score!", "Don't Misunderstand", "Move On In" / music: "Blowin' Your Mind Theme from Shaft's Big Score!", "Don't Misunderstand", "Move On In"
The Learning Tree
1969
lyrics: "The Learning Tree" / music: "The Learning Tree"
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Learning Tree
1969
producer
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
American Experience
1994
TV Series documentary archive source - 1 episode
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper
2016
Documentary photographs courtesy of
Nosferatu vs. Father Pipecock & Sister Funk
2014
special thanks
Django Unchained
2012
dedicatee
Vixen Highway 2006: It Came from Uranus!
2010
special thanks
Bro Lee
2008
Video short special thanks
It Wasn't for Love
2008
Short special thanks
Alma's Rainbow
1994
special thanks - as Gordon Parks Sr.
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
An Unlikely Weapon
2008
Documentary
Himself
Charlie Rose
1998-2006
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Guest
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
2005
Documentary
Himself
The History Makers
2005
Video documentary
Himself
Unstoppable: Conversation with Melvin Van Peebles, Gordon Parks, and Ossie Davis
2005
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Family Portrait
2004
Documentary short
Himself
Soul Man: Isaac Hayes
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks
2000
TV Movie documentary
Himself
American Masters
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
All Power to the People
1996
Documentary
Himself
American Experience
1994
TV Series documentary
Himself - LIFE Photographer
Ebony/Jet Showcase
1991
TV Series
Himself
Moments Without Proper Names
1987
Himself
Passion and Memory
1986
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Core of the Apple
1986
TV Series documentary
Himself - Author / Film Director / Himself - Film Director
$700,000
