How Ryan Coogler Went From Wanting To Be A Doctor To Director
How “Black Panther” Director Ryan Coogler Went From Wanting To Be A Doctor To Filmmaking

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.
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:
- The Storm Is Coming: Maya Boyd Cast As Beloved X-Men Character, Marking Her Official Move From Broadway To The Big Screen
- Classroom Cuties! Teyana Taylor, Drew Sidora & More Send Their Celebrity Seeds Back To School For 2026
- Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty To Federal Stalking Charges
- Trump Admin Spied On Progressive Orgs And Anti-ICE Protesters [Op-Ed]
- D23: ‘X-Men’ Cast Announced, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ & ‘VisionQuest’ Get New Trailers
- Keke Palmer Is Hosting The 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards Because The Big Boss Stays Booked And In Style
- Rodney Jon Went From Mechanic To Celebrity Makeup Artist
- [Op-Ed] Donald Trump’s Plan To Sell Access To Truth Social Posts Is Corrupt
- Pandemonium, Partying & Plenty Of Laughs: ‘The Black Watch’ Reviews Kevin Hart’s Miami Mayhem-Filled ‘72 Hours’
- Nolan Wells: DA Gave Family Less Than 2 Days To Turn In Phone
[ione_media_gallery id=”1869634″ overlay=”true”]
