Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Director
Occupations
Actor, Writer, Filmmaker, Screenwriter
Birthday
(Monday)
Nationality
Citizenship
United States
Languages
English
Spouse
Lulu Wang (2024)
Residences
Los Angeles
Education
Florida State University, Florida State University College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts, Miami Northwestern Senior High School
Zodiac Sign
♏ Scorpio
Chinese Zodiac
羊 Goat
Name Origin
English < Irish (Barra)
Popularity
Tier B -- 27,796 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Screen debut
Directed first film at age 28
Year context
Born in 1979 -- Iranian Revolution; Three Mile Island nuclear accident; Jimmy Carter was US president
Year 1979 →
Career
Career spanning 17 years (2008-2025)
Zodiac
Born in the Year of the Goat
DROPTHE GOOD_
7
Recognized
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
42
Cultural Uplift
27
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
Be the first to vote
Filmography (7)
AWARDS (4)
B
Time 100
2017
WON
G
Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
2017
WON
G
Academy Awards
Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
2017
WON
B
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Director
2016
WON
Biography
Barry Jenkins (born November 19, 1979) is an American filmmaker. After making his filmmaking debut with the short film My Josephine (2003), he directed his first feature film, Medicine for Melancholy (2008), for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature. He is also a creative collaborator and a member of The Chopstars collective.
Following an eight-year hiatus from feature filmmaking, Jenkins directed and co-wrote the LGBTQ-themed independent drama Moonlight (2016), which won numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. Jenkins received an Oscar nomination for Best Director and jointly won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay with Tarell Alvin McCraney. He became the fourth Black person nominated for Best Director and the second to direct a Best Picture winner. He released his third directorial feature If Beale Street Could Talk 2018, to critical praise and earned nominations for his screenplay at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes.
He is also known for his work in television. In 2017, Jenkins directed "Chapter V" of the Netflix series Dear White People. In 2021, he created and directed the Amazon Video limited series The Underground Railroad, based on the novel of the same name. The series received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie nomination and won a Peabody Award. In 2017, Jenkins was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.
Connections (1)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Barry Jenkins?
Barry Jenkins is 46 years old, born on .
Where was Barry Jenkins born?
Barry Jenkins was born in Miami, Florida, USA.
What movies or shows has Barry Jenkins been in?
Barry Jenkins has 7 credits in our database. Notable titles include Sorry, Baby (2025), Preparation for the Next Life (2025), Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), Aftersun (2022), The Underground Railroad (2021).
What is Barry Jenkins known for?
Barry Jenkins is primarily known as a director. Barry Jenkins (born November 19, 1979) is an American filmmaker. After making his filmmaking debut with the short film My Josephine (2003), he directed his first feature film,…
Where can I find more information about Barry Jenkins?
You can find more about Barry Jenkins on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.