Profile Text
Coogler – Disney and Marvel’s “Black Panther” World Premiere – Arrivals – Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard – Hollywood, CA, USA, 2018 – Photo Credit: Izumi Hasegawa / PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Ryan Kyle Coogler
Place of Birth: Alameda, California, United States
Date of Birth: May 23, 1986
Ethnicity: African-American
Ryan Coogler is an American director, producer, and screenwriter. He has directed the films Fruitvale Station , Creed , Black Panther , Black Panther: Wakanda Forever , and Sinners (2025). He also wrote Fruitvale Station and Sinners , and co-wrote his other films. He developed the show Eyes of Wakanda .
Ryan is the son of Joselyn (Thomas), a community organizer, and Ira Coogler, a juvenile hall probation counselor. His brother is screenwriter Keenan Coogler. His uncle, Clarence Thomas, was the secretary treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Ryan was raised partly in Richmond, California. He is married to Zinzi Evans, with whom he has three children.
Ryan’s paternal grandfather was William Eugene Coogler (the son of Ira Coogler and Rosa Haltiwanger). William was born in Arkansas. Rosa was the daughter of William Haltiwanger and Victoria.
Ryan’s paternal grandmother was named Arnetta Ernestine Bates. Arnetta was born in North Carolina.
Ryan’s maternal grandfather is surnamed Thomas.
Ryan’s maternal grandmother is surnamed Johnson.