How Ryan Coogler Went From Wanting To Be A Doctor To Director

Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty

Ryan Coogler and his film, “Black Panther,” made a record-breaking $235 million during opening weekend. He’s one of the youngest filmmakers at Marvel Studios and some call him the future Steven Spielberg. In 2013, Coogler captured audiences with his debut film “Fruitvale Station” and he plans to do so much more with his career.

Follow @TheRSMS

Black Doctor reports that the 31-year-old didn’t always pick this as a career, but is happy to be apart of this journey. When he was in college he wanted to play football and become a doctor. While attending Saint Mary’s the football program was cancelled and then he received a scholarship to Sacramento State.

There he changed his major and met his English professor, Rosemary Graham. She encouraged him to pursue it and thought he had a creative eye. Coogler went on to get into USC’s film school and has loved every experience since then.

RELATED: Letitia Wright AKA Shuri From “Black Panther” Has Got Bars! [VIDEO]

RELATED: Church Announcements: How A Deacon’s Black Panther Costume Caused Problems [EXCLUSIVE]

RELATED: How Tyler Perry & Wakanda Will Collide For Future “Black Panther” Films [EXCLUSIVE]

The Latest:

• Sybil Wilkes Breaks Down What We Need to Know: February 11, 2026
• More Than a Traffic Light: Garrett Morgan The Black Inventor Who Changed The World
• Did Bad Bunny Reference Spike Lee During His Super Bowl Halftime Show?
• Spike Lee Celebrates 38 Years of School Daze and Its Lasting Impact
• Donald Trump & Mike Tyson: A Friendship Timeline
• Dressing For Your Kind Of Love: 10 Looks To Wear On Valentine’s Day
• Maria Taylor Makes History As First Black Woman To Host Super Bowl Pregame And Present the Lombardi Trophy
• Kolonizer Kid Rock Tried It: Says JAY-Z’s Halftime Choices Are “DEI” Hires
• The Oscars Haven’t Happened Yet — But The Style Already Has
• Yes Lawd! Do-It-All Dynamo Anderson .Paak Celebrates 40th Birthday The WeHo Way With Dr. Dre, Kaytranada, Janelle Monáe, Jermaine Dupri & More

[ione_media_gallery id=”1869634″ overlay=”true”]