Donald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover Jr. (/ˈɡlʌvər/; born September 25, 1983), also known by his stage name Childish Gambino (/ɡæmˈbiːnoʊ/), is an American actor, comedian, singer, rapper, writer, director, and producer. While he studied at New York University and after working in Derrick Comedy, a comedy group, Glover was hired by Tina Fey to write for the NBC sitcom 30 Rock; he was 23. He gained fame for portraying college student Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom Community from 2009 to 2014. From 2016 to 2022, he starred in the FX series Atlanta, which he created and occasionally directed.[1] For his work on Atlanta, he won various accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards[2] and two Golden Globe Awards.[3]
"Don Glover" and "Donny Glover" redirect here. For the Arkansas politician, see Don Edward Glover. For the similarly named actor, see Danny Glover.
Donald Glover
- Childish Gambino
- mcDJ
- Actor
- comedian
- singer
- rapper
- writer
- producer
- director
2004–present
3
Stephen Glover (brother)
Stone Mountain, Georgia, U.S.
Vocals
Early life[edit]
Donald McKinley Glover Jr.[18] was born at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, California on September 25, 1983;[19] he grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where his father was stationed. His mother, Beverly (née Smith),[20] is a retired daycare provider and his father, Donald Glover Sr., was a postal worker.[18][21] His parents were foster parents for 14 years. Glover was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, but he is no longer religious.[19][22] His younger brother, Stephen, later became a writer and producer who collaborates with him.[23] He has a sister named Brianne.[21] In December 2018, Donald disclosed that his father had died.[24][25]
Donald Glover attended Avondale High School and DeKalb School of the Arts; he was voted "Most Likely to Write for The Simpsons" in his high school yearbook.[26][27] In 2006, he graduated from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in dramatic writing.[28] While at Tisch, he self-produced the independent mixtape The Younger I Get, which has not been released and has been disowned by Glover for being the "too-raw ramblings" of what he calls a "decrepit Drake".[29] He began DJing and producing electronic music under the moniker MC DJ (later as mcDJ)[30] remixing Sufjan Stevens' album Illinois (2005).[31]
Influences[edit]
In an interview with The Guardian, Glover stated, "I'm influenced by LCD Soundsystem as much as Ghostface Killah. A lot of the rap shows I saw as a kid were boring, but if you went to a Rage Against the Machine show or a Justice show, the kids were losing their minds. Kids just want to go nuts, Odd Future know that. People want to experience something physical."[170] He also cites hip-hop duo Outkast and trio Migos,[171][172] and funk band Funkadelic as being influences.[173]
Glover has influenced a number of younger musicians and actors. Rapper Vince Staples has praised Glover's ability to "[do] something different every time".[174]
Personal life[edit]
Glover began dating Michelle White in 2015;[5] they married in January 2024, one morning during the production of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, with Glover going to the production immediately after.[175][176] They have three sons, born in early 2016,[5][177] January 2018,[178] and 2020.[179] Glover is known as a private person and rarely posts on social media or does interviews unless for promotional work. In an interview with The New Yorker, he said that social media made him feel "less human" and that he only visits online discussion pages in which he can stay anonymous and communicate with people who understand what he is saying.[180]
