Tim Story

Tim Story (also credited as Timothy Kevin Story) is an American director known for crowd-pleasing studio hits that blend comedy, action, and pop-culture energy. Born March 13, 1970, in Los Angeles, he rose to prominence with Barbershop (2002), expanded into blockbuster territory with Fantastic Four (2005), and later helped define modern buddy-cop comedy through the Ride Along franchise.

Story is a two-time NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Directing (2006 and 2013) and has made box-office history as the first African-American film director to surpass $1 billion in worldwide grosses. Fantastic Four also marked a milestone in its era as a top-grossing superhero film helmed by an African-American director.

He attended Westchester High School in Los Angeles—serving as senior class president—alongside future stars including Regina King and Nia Long, then graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in 1991. Before committing fully to filmmaking, he briefly explored music, including time connected to Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate.

In 1996, Story co-founded the production banner The Story Company with Vicky, who later became his wife. Beyond directing, he has made on-screen appearances such as voicing a Pigeon Announcer in Tom & Jerry and showing up as himself on #blackAF and The Jennifer Hudson Show.