Gregory Nava
- Born:
- January 10, 1949, San Diego, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer
Early Life and Education
- Born and raised in San Diego, California.
- Attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
- Studied film at the UCLA Film School.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career making short films and documentaries.
- Gained recognition for his focus on Latino stories and culture.
- Directed and co-wrote the critically acclaimed film El Norte (1983), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
- Directed Mi Familia (1995), a multi-generational saga of a Mexican-American family.
- Directed Selena (1997), a biographical film about the Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.
- Directed Frida (2002), a biographical film about the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, which received multiple Academy Award nominations and wins.
- Received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for American Family.
Notable Works
Filmography (Director)
Year | Title | Notes |
1983 | El Norte | Also Co-Writer |
1995 | Mi Familia | Also Co-Writer |
1997 | Selena | Also Co-Writer |
2002 | Frida | Also Producer |
2007 | Bordertown | Also Writer |
Television
Year | Title | Notes |
2002-2004 | American Family | Creator, Writer, Director |
Legacy and Impact
Gregory Nava's work has been instrumental in bringing Latino stories to a wider audience and fostering greater understanding of the Mexican-American experience. His films are known for their powerful storytelling, strong performances, and cultural significance, making the 'biography of gregory nava' a key reference for students of film and Latino culture.