Biography
With two decades in the entertainment industry, Datari Turner has collaborated with some of the most renowned figures in entertainment history.
Since 2010, Turner has produced nearly 30 feature films, establishing himself as one of today’s most prolific independent producers. Notable premieres include "Another Happy Day" and "Salvation Boulevard" at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, "LUV" at Sundance in 2012, "Ten Thousand Saints" in 2015, and "Gook" at Sundance in 2017.
Turner produced, co-starred in, and wrote "Video Girl," featuring Meagan Good and Academy Award nominee Ruby Dee. The screenplay for "Video Girl" is archived in the Academy of Motion Pictures Library. "Another Happy Day" starred Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin, and Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn. "Salvation Boulevard" featured Oscar winners Marisa Tomei and Jennifer Connelly, alongside veterans Pierce Brosnan and Ed Harris.
"LUV," produced by Turner and starring Common, Danny Glover, and Dennis Haysbert, debuted at Sundance to critical acclaim and was released nationwide in January 2013. During this period, Turner also produced "About Cherry," starring James Franco and Dev Patel, which premiered at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. He went on to produce and star in the indie comedy "Dysfunctional Friends," which premiered at SXSW and ABFF Film Festivals, featuring Meagan Good, Stacey Dash, Stacy Keibler, and NFL star Terrell Owens in his acting debut.
The dark comedy "It's a Disaster," produced by Turner, opened in April 2013 and was named one of the five best independent films of the year by the Huffington Post. The film starred Julia Stiles and America Ferrera. "Kilimanjaro," featuring Brian Geraghty and Abigail Spencer, premiered at SXSW in 2013. Turner served as producer on "Kilimanjaro" and executive producer on Neil LaBute’s "Some Velvet Morning," starring Alice Eve and Stanley Tucci, which premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.
Turner produced, co-wrote, and co-starred in "Lap Dance," with James Remar, Mariel Hemingway, Briana Evigan, Omari Hardwick, and Lisa Raye. He was executive producer on John Stockwell’s thriller "Kid Cannabis" and associate producer on Katherine Heigl’s "Jackie and Ryan," which premiered at the 71st Venice Film Festival. "Ten Thousand Saints," starring Ethan Hawke, Emil Hirsch, and Hailee Steinfeld, marked Turner’s fourth Sundance production in five years. In 2015, he signed a First Look deal with CodeBlack/Lionsgate Films. He is currently producing, writing, and starring in "Supermodel," a film about the fashion industry featuring Tyson Beckford, Sessilee Lopez, and Roger Guenveur Smith. "A Girl Like Grace," which Turner produced and co-starred in alongside Meagan Good, Raven-Symoné, and Garcelle Beauvais, premiered at the LA Film Festival.
"9 Rides," produced by Turner, premiered at SXSW to critical praise. "Gook," a story about two Korean youths defending their shoe store during the 1992 L.A. riots, won the Audience Award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Samuel Goldwyn for theatrical release. "Supermodel" was acquired by Netflix and premiered in fall 2017. "A Boy. A Girl. A Dream," currently in production, stars Omari Hardwick, Meagan Good, and Jay Ellis.
In television, Turner recently signed a First Look Producing Deal with Entertainment One, the world’s largest independent studio, to develop original programming. He has produced over 100 hours of content for WEtv, BET, TV One, Starz, and Oxygen. His recent credits include "Love Thy Sister," which premiered on WE Channel in January 2015, where he serves as creator and executive producer. "Growing Up Hip-Hop," now in its fourth season starring Angela Simmons and Romeo, also airs on WEtv with Turner as creator and executive producer. The series is the highest-rated on the network and has spawned the spin-off "Growing Up Hip-Hop Atlanta," currently in its second season.
Datari Turner lives in Beverly Hills, California, serves on the board of The Black House Foundation, is an alum of the ABC/Disney program, and is represented by CAA.
