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Will Packer

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For people with similar names, seeWilliam Packer (disambiguation).

Will Packer
Packer in 2018
Born(1974-04-11)April 11, 1974(age 50)
St. Petersburg, Florida,U.S.
Alma materFlorida A&M University(BS)
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1994–present
Notable credits
Spouses
Nina Packer
​
​
(m.2001;div.2009)​
Heather Hayslett
​
(m.2015)​
Children4

Will Packer(born April 11, 1974) is an Americanfilm producerwho founded Will Packer Productions,[1]and Will Packer Media.[2]Packer has produced or executive produced a wide range of movies that have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide at the box office, including 10 films that have opened at number one. He has produced more than 30 features including big-screen hit comedies such asThink Like a Man(2012),Ride Along(2014),Think Like a Man Too(2014),The Wedding Ringer(2015),Girls Trip(2017),Night School(2018),What Men Want(2019)[3][4]andLittle(2019).

He also produced the2022 Academy Awards Oscars ceremonywhich was best known for the moment whereWill Smith slapped Chris Rock.Packer is a Limited Partner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (2024).[1]

Early life and education

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Packer was born and raised inSt. Petersburg, Florida.He graduated fromSt. Petersburg High Schoolin 1991 and began attendingFlorida A&M Universitythat fall. In 1996, Packer graduatedmagna cum laudewith aBachelor of Sciencedegree inelectrical engineering.[5]On October 29, 2021, FAMU personally honored Packer by renaming its amphitheater the Will Packer Amphitheater. Packer also received the Meritorious Achievement Award from Florida A&M, the highest honor the university bestows.

Career

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Rainforest Films

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It was at FAMU that he started filmmaking with colleague and future business partnerRob Hardywhile participating in an internship with veteran producerWarrington Hudlin.[6]In 1994, Packer and Hardy produced their first film,Chocolate City,[7]for $20,000 and Packer helped broker a small distribution deal withBlockbuster video.[8]After graduating, Packer and Hardy moved toAtlanta, Georgiaand co-foundedRainforest Films.Packer produced and oversaw the company's studio-financed and self-financed films and distribution projects.[9][10]Packer and Hardy's vision was to make films that would appeal to black audiences who hadn't seengenrefilms starring people like themselves.

In 2000,Trois,Rainforest Film's first movie to be released theatrically, grossed over $1.2 million and became the fastest million-dollar grossing film independently distributed by African Americans.[9][10]Troiswas in the Top 50 Highest Grossing Independent Films of the year, according toDaily Variety,[11]and Rainforest Films was at #34 on the list of Top 100 Film Distributors of 2000 listed byThe Hollywood Reporterin August 2001. Due to the success of their first film, Packer and Hardy were listed among the "New Establishment" of Black power brokers in Hollywood.[10][12][13]

In 2001, Packer helped broker a deal withSonyto produce and distribute urban films includingTrois's sequel,Trois: The Escort,andMotives.[10][14]The filmLockdown,released on home video under this Rainforest-Sony collaboration. In 2005, Rainforest Films releasedThe Gospel.[13]At this time, Packer started using the shortened moniker "Will Packer".

Packer and Hardy wanted Rainforest's films to include established actors and actresses as well as those who are up and coming. 2007'sThis Christmas,a film about a middle-class family that reunites at Christmas time for the first time in many years, stars veteran actressesLoretta DevineandRegina Kingas well as R&B superstarChris Brownin his feature film debut.[15]Packer produced five#1 filmswith Rainforest,Stomp the Yard,Obsessed,Takers,Think like a ManandRide Along.His biggest hits with Rainforest have beenThink like a Man,which grossed over $96 million worldwide after being released in April 2012,[16]andRide Along,which brought in box office receipts totaling nearly $150 million as of April 2014.[17]

In television, Packer, along withAndrew Young,Martin Luther King III,and Rainforest Films partner Rob Hardy, are co-founders ofBounce TV,a United States television network airing ondigital terrestrialtelevision stations. Promoted as "the first 24/7 digital multicast broadcast network created exclusively for African Americans," Bounce TV launched on September 26, 2011, and features programming geared toward blacks and African Americans in the 25–54 age range.[18]

In June 2014, Packer and Hardy dissolved Rainforest Films. The pair were included in a lawsuit brought by former business partnerBernard Bronnerin late June 2014.[19]

Will Packer Productions

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In 2013, Packer launched Will Packer Productions. In July 2013, he signed a two-year deal withUniversal Televisionto develop new projects for the studio.[20]Later that year, he signed a three-year deal withUniversal Pictures.[21]Packer-produced films under the Will Packer Productions banner include #1 box office openersRide Along 2,No Good DeedandThink Like a Man Tooalong withThe Wedding RingerandGirls Trip.Girls Tripwas the highest grossing live action comedy of 2017[22]and the first film written, directed, produced, and starring African-Americans to gross over $100 million.[23]The film went on to gross $140 million on a $19 million budget. Packer also served as executive producer on NWA biopicStraight Outta Comptonand on 2016 television mini-seriesRoots.

He has produced the comediesNight School(2018), starringKevin HartandTiffany Haddish,What Men Want(2019), starring Taraji P. Henson, andLittle(2019), starringMarsai Martinand Regina Hall,The Photograph(2020),starringIssa Rae[24]and LaKeith Stanfield, andBeast(2022), starring Idris Elba. Packer has been included in several high-profile lists, includingThe Hollywood Reporter's "40(ish) Most Powerful People in Comedy",[25]GIANTmagazine's "The GIANT 100",Jetmagazine's "Who's Hot To Watch in 2008" andBlack Enterprise's "Most Powerful Players Under 40."[26]

Will Packer Media

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In 2017, Packer launched Will Packer Media, a branded content and digital production company, in partnership with Discovery Communications and Universal Pictures.[27]As part of the launch, the company acquired digital ad firm Narrative_[28]to serve as the new venture's branded content arm, WP Narrative. In 2018, Will Packer Media acquired women's lifestyle site xoNecole.[29]

Will Packer Media produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, as well as content for brand clients and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Current productions includeReady to LoveandPut a Ring On Itfor OWN, andThat Girl Lay Layfor Nickelodeon. Will Packer Media also produces scripted and unscripted podcasts with iHeart Media includingFight NightandThe Lower Bottoms.[citation needed]

Packer served as the executive producer of the remake ofRoots,for which he received an Emmy Award nomination. The company's WP Narrative_ division was a 2018 Webby Award Winner[30]and 10th Annual Shorty Award winner[31]for its work producing video short #TakeAKnee. WP Narrative was also honored for its #BackedByAxe campaign created for Showtime'sBillions,winning at the Clio Entertainment awards,[32]10th Annual Shorty Awards[33]and 2018 D&AD Awards.[34]

Central Ave,an entertainment magazine series, debuted November 4, 2019 on Fox television stations.[35]

2022 Oscar ceremony

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Packer was named the Producer of the 94th AnnualAcademy Awardswhich aired on March 27, 2022. This marked his first "live" television production credit for a major show on a major television network (ABC) and was televised in more than 200 territories worldwide. The 94th Oscars was the highest-rated entertainment special in primetime on any network in two years in both total viewers (16.6 million) and adults 18-49 (3.8/28). Kelly Lawler ofUSA Todaywrote of the ceremony, "It was equal parts boring and terrifying, cringe-worthy and interminable."[36]

Controversy

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The show was overshadowed byWill Smithwalking on stage andslapping host Chris Rockafter he made a joke about his wife,Jada Pinkett Smith's, hair.[37]Packer immediately tweeted, "Welp… I said it wouldn’t be boring", before deleting the tweet after criticism that he was being smug. He later tweeted that it was "a very painful moment for me".[38]Varietyreported that Packer "was the key to Smith remaining in his seat".[39]Academy Board of Governors memberWhoopi Goldbergdefended Packer's decision to carry on with the show saying, "And the reason they didn't go and take him out is because that would have been another 15-, 20-minute explanation of why we're taking the Black man out five seconds before they're about to decide whether he's won an Oscar or not."[40]

Personal life

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Packer is a member ofAlpha Phi AlphaFraternity (inducted into the Beta Nu Chapter at FAMU).[41][42]Packer married his first wife Nina Packer (general manager of Bryant Management and Dir. Of Operations for Blueprint Group, the artist management firm forLil' Wayneand hisYMCMBlabel from 2007 to 2014). The Packer family is made up of Packer’s son Dominique, and two daughters, Maya and Nija, from his previous relationship and Zion with Heather Hayslett.[43]They were divorced in February 2009.[44]Packer proposed to his fiancé Heather Hayslett live on stage at the 2013Essence Music Festival.[45]They were married in August 2015 in Georgia.[46]

Filmography

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Producer

Executive producer

References

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  1. ^"Will Packer | Will Packer Productions".Willpackerprods.com.Archivedfrom the original on February 16, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 15,2018.
  2. ^Media, Will Packer."Narrative_: an integrated, story-driven marketing solutions agency".willpackermedia.com.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  3. ^RYAN FAUGHNDER (August 8, 2017)."'Girls Trip' producer Will Packer finds success by targeting an underserved audience ".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on February 19, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 15,2018.
  4. ^"Will Packer".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on July 24, 2021.RetrievedJuly 24,2021.
  5. ^Thornton, Cedric (May 29, 2014)."The American Black Film Festival: 10 Facts About Will Packer".Black Enterprise Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2022.RetrievedMarch 28,2022.
  6. ^Jasfly, By."FAMU-FSU College of Engineering:: Will Packer, the Hollywood Hitmaker".Eng.fsu.edu.Archivedfrom the original on January 18, 2016.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  7. ^"Will Packer".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on February 17, 2009.RetrievedJuly 24,2021.
  8. ^"Campus Campaign To Sell His Movie Rob Hardy And Buddies From Florida A&m Made The Circuit Of African American Colleges Plugging His Erotic Thriller," Trois. "- philly-archives".Articles.philly.com. March 14, 2000.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2016.RetrievedJune 1,2015.
  9. ^ab"Rainforest Films".Rainforest Films.Archivedfrom the original on February 8, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  10. ^abcd"About The Company"(Press release).Rainforest Films.Archived fromthe originalon December 4, 2008.
  11. ^Variety Staff (July 26, 2001)."Limited release B.O. winners – 2000".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on April 11, 2018.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  12. ^"PANEL: A Conversation With Will Packer And Rob Hardy Of Rainforest Films".Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2011.
  13. ^ab"Unlikely pair win fans with 'Gospel'".Los Angeles Times.October 10, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on April 12, 2012.RetrievedApril 10,2018.
  14. ^"Rainforest Films".Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2008.
  15. ^"This Christmas (2007)".Artistdirect.com.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  16. ^"Think Like a Man (2012)".Box Office Mojo. July 8, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on July 5, 2019.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  17. ^"Ride Along (2014)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2019.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  18. ^Molloy, Tim (September 25, 2011)."Black-Oriented Bounce TV Begins, Betting on Classic Movies".Thewrap.com.Archivedfrom the original on October 26, 2019.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  19. ^"EUR Exclusive: 'Think Like a Man Too' Producers Sued for Gross Mismanagement, Abuse of Control".Eurweb.com. April 25, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 24, 2015.RetrievedJune 1,2015.
  20. ^Lesley Goldberg (July 9, 2013)."Film Producer Will Packer Inks Overall Deal With Universal TV".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2019.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  21. ^Fleming, Mike (October 31, 2013)."Universal Makes First-Look Feature Pact With Hitmaking Producer Will Packer".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on July 24, 2014.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  22. ^""Girls Trip" Just Broke A Major Milestone & The Timing Couldn't Be More Perfect ".Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  23. ^"'Girls Trip' Crosses $100 Million at Domestic Box Office ".Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  24. ^N'Duka, Amanda (May 3, 2018)."Issa Rae Joins 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin In 'Little' From Universal & Will Packer Productions".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  25. ^"The 40(ish) Most Powerful People in Comedy".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  26. ^"Jet - Google Books".Johnson Publishing Company. January 14, 2008.Archivedfrom the original on August 25, 2023.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  27. ^Maidenberg, Micah (July 25, 2017)."Will Packer Starting Production Company With Backing From Discovery and Universal".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  28. ^"Newly launched Will Packer Media acquires creative and tech agency Narrative".The Drum.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  29. ^Spangler, Todd (January 18, 2018)."Will Packer Media Acquires Women's Lifestyle Site xoNecole".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  30. ^"Take A Knee | The Webby Awards".Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  31. ^"#TakeAKnee - The Shorty Awards".goo.gl.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  32. ^"Billions - #BackedByAxe".Clios.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  33. ^"#BackedByAxe - The Shorty Awards".shortyawards.com.Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  34. ^"#BackedByAxe WP Narrative_ |SHOWTIME Networks |D&AD Awards 2018 Pencil Winner |Use of Social Media".DandAD.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2018.RetrievedJune 25,2018.
  35. ^Albiniak, Paige (October 28, 2019). "Fox Prepares to Step Out on Central Ave".Broadcasting & Cable.149(10): 19.
  36. ^Lawler, Kelly (March 28, 2022)."A Slap, A Dog and Chaos: The Oscars Were a Train Wreck We Couldn't Look Away From".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on March 30, 2022.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  37. ^Juneau, Jen (March 27, 2022)."Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock in the Face at 2022 Oscars After Rock Jokes About Jada Pinkett's Hair".People Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2022.RetrievedMarch 28,2022.
  38. ^Bedigan, Mike (March 28, 2022)."Oscars-showrunner says Will Smith altercation was 'a very painful moment for me'".Irish Examiner.Archivedfrom the original on March 31, 2022.RetrievedMarch 31,2022.
  39. ^Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt; Davis, Clayton (March 31, 2022)."Will Smith Was Not Formally Asked to Leave Oscars Following Chris Rock Slap, Sources Claim".Variety.RetrievedMarch 31,2022.
  40. ^Sand, Nardine (March 29, 2022)."Film academy governor Whoopi Goldberg: 'Nobody is OK with what happened' with Smith".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 31, 2022.RetrievedMarch 31,2022.
  41. ^"News Headlines – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2012".Famu.edu. December 7, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on January 24, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 2,2012.
  42. ^”FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Receives College Chapter of the Year Award”ArchivedMay 27, 2010, at theWayback Machine,July 25, 2008. Accessed May 3, 2009.
  43. ^https://www.essence.com/news/exclusive-first-look-will-packer-marries-surprise-wedding-georgia/
  44. ^"Producer Will Packer Proposes During Essence Music Festival… [PHOTOS + VIDEO]".Straightfromthea.com. July 9, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on July 9, 2015.RetrievedJune 8,2015.
  45. ^"Will Packer Proposes Live at the 2013 ESSENCE Festival".Essence.com.Archivedfrom the original on August 25, 2023.RetrievedMay 19,2016.
  46. ^"JUST MARRIED: Hollywood Producer Will Packer & Heather Hayslett Tie The Knot In Surprise Backyard Wedding! | The Young, Black, and Fabulous®".Theybf.com. August 30, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on September 1, 2015.RetrievedMay 19,2016.
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