Well Known Figures Who Passed In 2021

Melvin Van Peebles, 89

Often referred to as The Godfather of Black Cinema, Melvin Van Peebles was the first Hollywood director of African-American descent who proved that a major studio movie leading a black star could be financially successful. He pioneered the Blaxploitation genre with Shaft, Sweetbacks Badasssss Song, and more.Aside from a prolific career in directing films and making space in Hollywood for black talents to thrive, Van Peebles was also an avid novelist and playwright, publishing 13 books over his lifetime. This esteemed multi talented director breathed his last on September21st.