John Ridley
Biography
John Ridley is an American writer, actor, and film director born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began his career as a stand-up comedian before working as a writer for sitcoms including Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ridley wrote the novel Stray Dogs, which served as the basis for the 1997 film U Turn directed by Oliver Stone. He provided the original script for the film Three Kings, though he received credit only for the original story due to changes made by director David O. Russell. Ridley also directed the film Cold Around the Heart. According to The Movie Database, he has forty known credits and is known for his writing.
Career overview
John Ridley is an American writer, actor, and film director born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began his professional career as a stand-up comedian before working as a writer for sitcoms, including Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Ridley transitioned into writing novels and produced Stray Dogs, which served as the basis for the 1997 film U Turn directed by Oliver Stone. He also wrote the original script for the film Three Kings, which starred Ice Cube, Mark Wahlberg, and George Clooney. Because director David O. Russell made significant changes to the script, Ridley received credit for the original story. Additionally, Ridley directed the film Cold Around the Heart.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about John Ridley.
Career timeline
Full Filmography
67 titles- Shirley (2024) Producer
- Shirley (2024) Director
- Shirley (2024) Writer
- Superpowered: The DC Story (2023) as Self
- Five Days at Memorial (2022) Director
- Five Days at Memorial (2022) Executive Producer
- Five Days at Memorial (2022) Writer
- Five Days at Memorial (2022) Creator
- Needle in a Timestack (2021) Executive Producer
- Needle in a Timestack (2021) Director
- Needle in a Timestack (2021) Writer
- Waiting for Godot (2021) Producer
- Body Cam (2020) Writer
- Guerrilla (2017) Director
- Guerrilla (2017) Writer
- Guerrilla (2017) Executive Producer
- Guerrilla (2017) Creator
- Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 (2017) Director
- Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992 (2017) Writer
- Ben-Hur (2016) Screenplay
- Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter (2015) as Self
- American Crime (2015) Writer
- American Crime (2015) Director
- American Crime (2015) Executive Producer
- American Crime (2015) Creator
- The 25,000 Mile Love Story (2015) as Narrator
- Celblok H (2014) Original Story
- 12 Years a Slave (2013) Screenplay
- 12 Years a Slave (2013) Executive Producer
- Out of the Furnace (2013) Co-Producer
- Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013) Director
- Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013) Writer
- Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013) Executive Producer
- Red Tails (2012) Screenplay
- Red Tails (2012) Story
- On Story (2011) as Self
- Heckler (2007) as Self
- Barbershop (2005) Director
- Justice League: Starcrossed - The Movie (2004) Writer
- Musafir (2004) Original Story
- Real Time with Bill Maher (2003) as Self
- Platinum (2003) Director
- Platinum (2003) Writer
- Platinum (2003) Creator
- Those Who Walk in Darkness (2003) Writer
- Undercover Brother (2002) Screenplay
- Undercover Brother (2002) Executive Producer
- Justice League (2001) Writer
- Static Shock (2000) Writer
- Third Watch (1999) Writer
- Three Kings (1999) Story
- Team Knight Rider (1997) Writer
- U Turn (1997) Screenplay
- U Turn (1997) Executive Producer
- U Turn (1997) Novel
- Cold Around the Heart (1997) Director
- Cold Around the Heart (1997) Writer
- The Show (1996) Writer
- The John Larroquette Show (1993) Writer
- Martin (1992) Writer
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as John Ridley
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) Writer
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) Story Editor
- The American Way Director
- The American Way Writer
- Caves of Steel Screenplay
- Caves of Steel Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Ridley best known for?
John Ridley is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Five Days at Memorial (2022), Five Days at Memorial (2022), Five Days at Memorial (2022), Five Days at Memorial (2022).
When and where was John Ridley born?
John Ridley was born on October 1, 1964 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
How many credits does John Ridley have?
John Ridley has accumulated over 67 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1990 to 2024.
What is John Ridley's background in cinema and television?
John Ridley is an American writer, actor, and film director born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began his career as a stand-up comedian before working as a writer for sitcoms including Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ridley wrote the novel Stray Dogs, which served as the basis for the 1997 film U Turn directed by ...