William Packer Bio
William Packer (born April 11, 1974) is an American film producer and the founder of Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media. Packer has produced or executive produced a wide range of movies that have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide at the box office, including ten films that have opened at number one. He has produced more than 30 features, including big-screen hit comedies such as Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), and Girls Trip (2017).
Early Life and Background
William Packer was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1991 and began attending Florida A&M University that fall. In 1996, Packer graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. On October 29, 2021, Florida A&M University honored Packer by renaming its amphitheater the Will Packer Amphitheater. He also received the Meritorious Achievement Award from Florida A&M, the highest honor the university bestows.
Path to Hollywood
While at Florida A&M University, Packer began filmmaking with colleague and future business partner Rob Hardy while participating in an internship with veteran producer Warrington Hudlin. In 1994, Packer and Hardy produced their first film, Chocolate City, for $20,000 and helped broker a small distribution deal with Blockbuster Video. After graduating, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and co-founded Rainforest Films. Packer produced and oversaw the company’s studio-financed and self-financed films and distribution projects, aiming to create films that appealed to black audiences who had not seen genre films starring people like themselves.
William Packer Career
Early Career (1994–2000)
In 2000, Trois, Rainforest Film’s first movie to be released theatrically, grossed over $1.2 million and became the fastest million-dollar grossing film independently distributed by African Americans. The success of Trois led to Packer and Hardy being recognized among the “New Establishment” of Black power brokers in Hollywood. In 2001, Packer helped broker a deal with Sony to produce and distribute urban films, including the sequel to Trois and Motives. Rainforest Films continued to grow, releasing successful films like The Gospel in 2005.
Breakthrough (2012–2018)
Packer’s breakthrough came with the release of Think Like a Man in 2012, which grossed over $96 million worldwide. Following this, he produced Ride Along, which brought in nearly $150 million at the box office. In 2017, Girls Trip became the highest-grossing live-action comedy of the year and the first film written, directed, produced, and starring African Americans to gross over $100 million. The film went on to gross $140 million on a $19 million budget.
Notable Works and Milestones
Signature works include Think Like a Man, Ride Along, and Girls Trip. Packer has been recognized for his contributions to the film industry, producing over 30 features that have collectively grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.
William Packer Award Nominations
Throughout his career, William Packer has received several nominations for prestigious awards, including an Academy Award nomination for producing at the 2022 Oscars.
William Packer Awards Won
William Packer has achieved significant recognition in the film industry, including being named the producer of the 94th Annual Academy Awards in 2022, which marked a notable moment in his career.
William Packer Family
William Packer was previously married to Nina Packer from 2007 to 2009. He is currently married to Heather Hayslett, with whom he has a son named Zion. Packer also has three other children: a son named Dominique and two daughters, Maya and Nija, from previous relationships.
Personal Life
Packer is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, having been inducted into the Beta Nu chapter at Florida A&M University. He proposed to Heather Hayslett live on stage at the 2013 Essence Music Festival, and they were married in August 2015 in Georgia.
