Christopher Brian Stokes (born July 21, 1969) is an American

filmmaker Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, castin ...

and former record executive. He is the son of actress Irene Stokes and older brother of singer

Juanita Stokes Juanita Stokes (born 1972), currently known as Needa S. (formerly Smooth), is an American singer and rapper. She is the daughter of actress Irene Stokes and younger sister of music executive Chris Stokes. Career Stokes began her career as ...

. He is perhaps best known for being the founder of

The Ultimate Group TUG Entertainment (TUG stands for The Ultimate Group), was a record label/ Management Company that was once home to such artists as B2K, Omarion, Marques Houston, Mila J, O'Ryan, Jhené Aiko, One Luv, 2 Much and NLT, Simon Phenix/Rawwtunez for Un ...

record label in 2000, whose roster included

B2K B2K (Boys of the New Millennium) was an American boy band that was active from 1998 to 2004, and again from 2018 to 2019. In 1998, the group was formed by American dance choreographer Dave Scott and Interscope A&R Keshia Gamble. The members ...

Omarion Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), better known by his stage name Omarion, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the boy band B2K. The group achieved success in the e ...

Jhené Aiko Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo (; born March 16, 1988) is an American singer who embarked on her music career contributing vocals and appearing in several music videos for R&B group B2K. In an effort to promote Aiko and cultivate a following for he ...

Marques Houston Marques Barrett Houston (born August 4, 1981) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, and actor. A member of the R&B group IMx, Immature/IMx from 1990 until 2002, Houston went solo in 2003. As an actor, he is best known for his ...

IMx Immature (later known as IMx) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B boy band, managed by record producer Chris Stokes (record producer), Chris Stokes. Its members include Marques Houston, Marques "Batman" Houston (born August 4, 1981), Young Rome, ...

and NLT, among others.

Transition to film and television

Stokes first became connected with film and television through the talent he managed. In 1992,

made his acting debut in the animated comedy film ''

Bébé's Kids ''Bebe's Kids'' (also marketed as ''Robin Harris' Bébé's Kids'') is a 1992 American adult animated comedy film produced by Hyperion Studio for Paramount Pictures. Directed by Bruce W. Smith, in his directorial debut, it is based upon comedia ...

'', and received his big break as a regular on '' Sister, Sister'' in 1994. All three members of

Immature Mature is the adjectival form of maturity, as immature is the adjectival form of immaturity, which have several meanings. Mature or immature may also refer to: * Mature, a character from ''The King of Fighters'' series *"Mature 17+", a rating in ...

appeared in the film ''

House Party 3 ''House Party 3'' is a 1994 American comedy film, starring Kid 'n Play, Bernie Mac, and TLC. It is the third installment of the '' House Party'' film series. This was intended to be the last film in the franchise, ending it as a trilogy, but a s ...

'' (1994). His first film credit came in 2001 as the writer and director of '' House Party 4'', which starred

, which by then had transitioned to their new name

. He is perhaps most well known as the writer and director of the 2004 dance movie ''

You Got Served ''You Got Served'' is a 2004 American dance drama film written and directed by Chris Stokes, who was also the business manager of the performers who were the film's main characters: recording artist Marques Houston and the boy band B2K. The plo ...

'', starring members of his TUG record label. The cast included

Lil' Kim Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), Those giving 1974 include: * * * * * better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and reality television personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of he ...

and

. The film opened at #1 at the box office during

Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the annual final playoff game of the National Football League (NFL) to determine the league champion. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966, replacing the NFL Championship Game. Since 2022, the game ...

weekend with $16 million grossed in its first week. He also wrote and directed ''

Somebody Help Me "Somebody Help Me" is a single by The Spencer Davis Group, which was released in 1966. As with "Keep on Running", it was composed by Jackie Edwards. Chart performance "Somebody Help Me" became the band's second consecutive and last number-on ...

'' and ''

Somebody Help Me 2 ''Somebody Help Me 2'' is a 2010 horror film starring Marques Houston and Omarion, and is written and directed by their music producer, Chris Stokes. As the sequel, it follows up the events of ''Somebody Help Me'', which was released in 2007. The ...

'', two horror films. The first, ''Somebody Help Me'', was released to DVD on November 13, 2007, and made a television premiere on BET on Halloween 2007. Both were distributed by

Vivendi Vivendi SE is a French mass media holding company headquartered in Paris. Widely known as the owner of Gameloft, Groupe Canal+, Havas, Editis, Prisma Media, Vivendi Village and Dailymotion, the company has activities in television, film, video ...

. The company's second feature, ''No Vacancy'', another horror, was completed in 2011 and the first of Stokes' films not star talent from his music career. It was distributed by Grindstone / Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Also in 2011, Stokes returned to the dance battle genre with the dance-drama ''

Battlefield America ''Battlefield America'' is an American dance-drama film by Cinedigm. It was directed by Chris Stokes from ''You Got Served''. The film stars Gary Anthony Sturgis, Tristen M. Carter, Marques Houston, Kida Burns, Zach Balandres, Camren Bicondova, ...

'', starring

Gary Anthony Sturgis Gary Anthony Sturgis is an American actor, musician, writer, director, producer, teacher and entrepreneur, known for his role as Bar Patron and other characters in the television series '' America's Most Wanted'', and for providing the voice of E ...

, and

Lynn Whitfield Lynn Whitfield ('' née'' Smith; born February 15, 1953) is an American actress. She began her acting career in television and theatre before progressing to supporting roles in film. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a ...

. The film follows a young businessman whose community service obligations require him to turn a group of misfit kids into a dance team. In 2018 it was announced Chris Stokes signed a 3-picture deal with Viacom, "We Belong Together", "Running Out of Time", and "Fall Girls". "We Belong Together" launched BET Network's original movie franchise by premiering simultaneously on BET and BET Her, produced by Chris Stokes' Footage Films production company. In August 2019, BET+ announced a new legal thriller "Sacrifice", to be written, directed, and produced by Chris Stokes through his Footage Films production company, and starring Paula Patton. In May 2020, Stokes' new musical series "Howard High", starring Marques Houston debuts on subscription-based platform UrbanflixTV. In 2020,

BET+ A bet is a gambling wager. Bet or BET may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * Bet Lynch, a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' * Elizabeth "Bet" Yeager, protagonist of '' Rimrunners'', a science fiction ...

acquired "Trigger", directed by Stokes. It is set to be released this summer as a BET Original on their streaming platform. Also this summer, BET picked up thriller "Always and Forever", directed by Stokes and starring

Lauren London Lauren Nicole London is an American actress. London is known for her roles in films and televisions shows including '' ATL'' (2006), ''This Christmas'' (2007), '' Madea’s Big Happy Family'' (2011), ''Baggage Claim'' (2013), '' The Game'' (20 ...

Cynthia Addai-Robinson Cynthia Addai-Robinson (born January 12, 1985) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Naevia in the Starz television series ''Spartacus'', DC Comics character Amanda Waller in The CW TV series ''Arrow'', and Nadine Memphis on the US ...

, Deborah Ayorinde, Rocsi Diaz,

Wood Harris Sherwin David "Wood" Harris (born October 17, 1969) is an American actor. He has portrayed the drug kingpin Avon Barksdale on the HBO crime drama ''The Wire'', cocaine dealer Ace in '' Paid in Full'' and high school football player Julius Campbe ...

and

Loretta Devine Loretta Devine (born August 21, 1949) is an American actress, singer and voice actor. She is known for numerous roles across stage and screen. Her most high profile roles include Lorrell Robinson in the original Broadway production of ''Dreamgir ...

. In September 2020, BET+ announced that it would turn its original film "Sacrifice" into a series, ordering 10 episodes to be written, directed, and produced by Stokes. Chris Stokes announced in 2021 that Footage Films was greenlit to produce a new series, Foster Law, for the emerging black streaming network UrbanFlix. Chris_Stokes_at_home

Filmography

Christopher Brian Collection

In 2007, Stokes launched a clothing and fashion line, the Christopher Brian Collection, which debuted at

Magic (trade show) MAGIC is a fashion tradeshow in the United States. Held twice a year (February and August) in Las Vegas, this fashion marketplace showcases men's, women's and children's apparel, footwear, accessories, and manufacturing resources from around the wor ...

in Las Vegas February 2007.Take Cover: Kim Kardashian. J'Adore Magazine, November 2007
Jadoremag.com
. Retrieved July 3rd, 2014. The line featured

Kim Kardashian Kimberly Noel Kardashian (formerly West; born October 21, 1980) is an American socialite, media personality, and businesswoman. She first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, but received wider notice after the sex ...

as the principle spokesmodel and was available at Dash, her Calabassas boutique. Promotional images for the brand featured topless pictures of Kim Kardashian wearing just the Christopher Brian pants.TMZ: Chris Stokes
TMZ
Retrieved July 3rd, 2014.

References

External links

*
Official Chris Stokes

Chris Stokes Entertainment

Footage Films Official Site

Chris Stokes directing 1st of 3 picture deal with Viacom

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stokes, Chris African-American film directors Film producers from California American music video directors Record producers from California Living people 1966 births Film directors from Los Angeles 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people Converts to Jehovah's Witnesses