Matthew A. Cherry

About

Director who gained widespread prominence when he won the best animated short film Academy Award for his short film Hair Love in 2020. He also won that year's Black Reel Award for outstanding short.

Before Fame

He played college football for the University of Akron as a wide receiver. He would spend time on various NFL team's rosters and practice squads prior to pursuing filmmaking. 

Trivia

He won the best screenplay award at the American Black Film Festival for his 2012 short film The Last Fall. He directed the 2014 music video for the hit single "Say Yes" by Michelle Williams. 

Family Life

He was born and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Associated With

He became the second professional athlete to win an Oscar after Kobe Bryant.