Reuben Cannon

Reuben Cannon is a visionary producer who has helped to shape and guide some of the most groundbreaking and critically acclaimed film and television projects in Hollywood for the past three-decades.  

Early on in his career, he became Universal Studios’ first African American casting director.  He is credited with providing actors such as Bruce Willis, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, and Oprah Winfrey with their first major roles. Under the banner of his own company, Reuben Cannon & Associates, he has cast more than 100 television series, made-for-tv movies, and feature films, including The Color Purple which earned 11 Oscar nominations. 

Widely regarded for his expertise and success in casting, Mr. Cannon then began producing motion pictures and television series, including Down in the Delta directed by Dr. Maya Angelou, Get On The Bus directed by Spike Lee, Love Don’t Cost A Thing starring Nick Cannon, Daddy’s Little Girls starring Idris Elba, and Woman Thou Art Loosed based on the best-selling book by T.D. Jakes.  On Broadway, he produced Stickfly with Alicia Keys who also wrote the music.

He further gained exceptional industry acclaim and matchless financial results as the producer of the first ten Tyler Perry films, generating more than half a billion dollars at the box office, and more than $300 million in home video sales. In addition to film, Reuben oversaw an unprecedented 212 television episodes of “House of Payne”, establishing him as one of the most prolific and commercially viable urban producers in Hollywood. 

Current projects include a new TV series he’s developing in partnership with Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi. Not only is Mr. Whitaker a phenomenal Oscar-winning actor, but as a producer, he and Ms. Yang have given major directors such as Ryan Coogler their first break. Other collaborators include Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey and his development and producing partner, Wendy Kram. Mr. Cannon just completed filming the Christmas holiday movie Soul Santa for BET, starring David and Tamela Mann. It will be airing Christmas.

Reuben’s proud legacy includes an impressive list of young, bright African-American protegés who got their start under his tutelage. Many have gone on to become some of the entertainment industry’s most influential executives and successful artists.