Christopher Cleveland was born in Los Angeles and spent his childhood in Watts, where he was exposed to the world of politics and activism from a young age. His mother, a passionate advocate for the Black Panther Party, frequently hosted influential figures such as Huey Newton and Eldridge Cleaver at their home.
Cleveland's interest in the film industry led him to study at Art Center College of Design, where he honed his skills in scriptwriting. His big break came when he sold his first script, which would later become Oliver Stone's critically acclaimed film, NIXON.
Throughout his illustrious career, Cleveland has written nearly 35 scripts for film and television, working with some of the most renowned directors and producers in the industry. His impressive list of collaborators includes Michael Mann, Robert De Niro, Robert Zemekis, Denzel Washington, Barbara Streisand, Norman Jewison, Taylor Hackford, Oliver Stone, Martin Cambell, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Bryan Singer, William Friedkin, Dee Rees, and Jerry Bruckheimer, to name a few.
Some of his notable projects include GLORY ROAD, THE HURRICANE, and McFARLAND, USA, which won numerous awards and nominations, including the NAACP Image Award. Cleveland has also worked on several films with Oscar-winning artists, such as John Malkovich, Milo Ventimiglia, Isabelle Huppert, Diego Luna, James Gandolfini, Richard and Lilly Zanuck, and John Travolta.
In addition to his work in film, Cleveland has also made a significant impact in television, with credits including BOONE, a HISTORY Channel mini-series, and KING OF THIEVES, which he co-produced with Matt Baer and Kelly Rauch Cleveland.
Christopher Cleveland's most recent projects include REBUILDING ROME, CONQUISTADOR, and MURRIETA, a biographical drama about Joaquin Murrieta, the true story behind the legend of Zorro. With his impressive track record and continued success, Cleveland remains one of the most sought-after screenwriters in the industry.
