Danny Glover, a renowned actor, producer, and humanitarian, has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and beyond, with a career spanning over three decades.
Born in San Francisco, California, Glover is the son of postal workers Carrie (Hunley) and James Glover, who were also active in the civil rights movement. He trained at the Black Actors' Workshop of the American Conservatory Theater, which led to his Broadway debut in Fugard's Master Harold...and the Boys.
Glover's breakthrough role came in 1984, when he starred in the Oscar-nominated film Places in the Heart, directed by Robert Benton. The following year, he appeared in two more Best Picture nominees: Peter Weir's Witness and Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple.
In 1987, Glover partnered with Mel Gibson in the first Lethal Weapon film, which went on to spawn three successful sequels. He has also appeared in a wide range of films, including the award-winning To Sleep With Anger, Bopha!, Manderlay, Missing in America, and the film version of Athol Fugard's play Boesman and Lena.
On television, Glover has won numerous awards for his performances, including an Image Award, a Cable ACE Award, and an Emmy nomination for his role in the HBO movie Mandela. He has also received Emmy nominations for his work in the acclaimed miniseries Lonesome Dove and the telefilm Freedom Song.
As a director, Glover earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Showtime's Just a Dream. His film credits include the blockbuster Lethal Weapon franchise, as well as smaller independent features, some of which he also produced.
Glover has also been recognized for his community activism and philanthropic efforts, with a focus on issues such as economic justice, access to healthcare and education, and poverty alleviation in the United States and Africa. He received a 2006 DGA Honor for his work and has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program from 1998-2004.
In 2005, Glover co-founded Louverture Films, a production company dedicated to developing and producing films of historical relevance, social purpose, commercial value, and artistic integrity. The company has produced a slate of progressive features and documentaries, including Trouble the Water, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and Africa Unite, award-winning feature Bamako, and most recent projects Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, and The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan.
