Paris Barclay

Born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, Paris Barclay attended the prestigious La Lumiere School on a scholarship, and was one of the first African American students to attend the school. He would go on to attend Harvard University before graduating into the professional world. After a short stint as a copywriter for an ad agency, Barclay opened his own business and began cultivating relationships with musical artists. He started directing music videos for artists like Janet Jackson and LL Cool J in 1990, and within a few years, he was directing film and television projects as well, memorably directing Marlon Wayans in his first feature film, "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" (1996). He became an executive producer and frequent director on the acclaimed series "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005), and soon after co-created and produced the series "City of Angels" (CBS, 2000-02). Barclay would go on to produce and direct the critically lauded "In Treatment" (HBO, 2008-2010), and later became the executive producer and chief director for "Sons of Anarchy" (FX, 2008-2014). In 2013, Barclay was elected president of the Director's Guild of America, making him the first African American and openly gay person to hold the position. Always moving forward with new and exciting ideas, Barclay would next executive produce the historical epic series "The Bastard Executioner" (FX, 2015) as well as the sports drama "Pitch" (Fox, 2016-17).