Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Donald Glover
How Donald Glover built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, is an American actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. He gained initial recognition as a writer for 30 Rock after being involved in the comedy group Derrick Comedy. Glover achieved wider fame for his role as Troy Barnes in the sitcom Community (2009-2014). From 2016 to 2022, he starred in and created the FX series Atlanta, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for his work on the show.
2005: Remixed Sufjan Stevens' album Illinois
In 2005, Donald Glover remixed Sufjan Stevens' album Illinois, under the moniker MC DJ.
2006: Joined Derrick Comedy
In 2006, Donald Glover became a member of the sketch comedy group Derrick Comedy, appearing in their sketches on YouTube.
2008: Unsuccessful Saturday Night Live audition
In 2008, Donald Glover unsuccessfully auditioned to play President Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live.
September 2009: Community Premiered
In September 2009, Donald Glover starred as Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom Community.
2009: Finished writing for 30 Rock
In 2009, Donald Glover finished writing for 30 Rock, after joining the show in 2006.
2009: Starred in Community
In 2009, Donald Glover gained fame for portraying college student Troy Barnes on the NBC sitcom Community.
2009: Mystery Team Premiered
In 2009, Mystery Team, a feature-length film written by and starring Derrick Comedy, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
May 2010: #donald4spiderman Campaign
In May 2010, a fan campaign suggested Donald Glover for the role of Spider-Man/Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man film.
2010: Campaign to portray Spider-Man
In 2010, there was a campaign to get Donald Glover to portray the superhero Spider-Man.
2011: Signed with Glassnote Records and Released Camp
In 2011, Donald Glover signed with Glassnote Records and released his debut studio album, Camp.
August 2013: Atlanta in Development
In August 2013, Atlanta began development.
2013: Released Because the Internet
In 2013, Donald Glover released his second album, Because the Internet, which featured his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, "3005".
2013: Signed deal to create Atlanta
In 2013, Donald Glover signed a deal with FX to create the music-themed show Atlanta.
December 2014: FX Ordered Atlanta Series
In December 2014, FX ordered the Atlanta series.
2014: Left Community
In 2014, Donald Glover left the cast of Community, after starring in the show since 2009.
October 2015: Atlanta Season Announced
In October 2015, a 10-episode season of Atlanta was announced.
2015: Appeared in Multiple Films
In 2015, Donald Glover appeared in The Lazarus Effect, Magic Mike XXL, and The Martian.
September 6, 2016: Atlanta Premiered
On September 6, 2016, Atlanta premiered on FX to widespread critical acclaim.
2016: Starred in Atlanta
In 2016, Donald Glover began starring in the FX series Atlanta, which he created and occasionally directed.
2016: Released "Redbone" and "Awaken, My Love!"
In 2016, Donald Glover released the single "Redbone", which won a Grammy, and his third album "Awaken, My Love!".
2017: Played Aaron Davis in Spider-Man: Homecoming
In 2017, Donald Glover played Aaron Davis in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming.
February 2018: Approached New Regency About Guava Island
In February 2018, Donald Glover approached New Regency about the Guava Island project.
2018: Played Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story
In 2018, Donald Glover played Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
2018: Played Lando Calrissian in Solo
In 2018, Donald Glover portrayed a young Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story to much acclaim.
2018: Released "This Is America"
In 2018, Donald Glover released the single "This Is America", which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and won multiple Grammy Awards.
2018: Deadpool Animated Series Canceled
In 2018, Donald Glover's animated Deadpool series was canceled due to creative differences.
April 2019: Launched "Donald Glover Presents" Line with Adidas Originals
In April 2019, Donald Glover partnered with Adidas Originals to launch the "Donald Glover Presents" line.
2019: Voiced Simba in The Lion King and Produced Guava Island
In 2019, Donald Glover provided the voice of adult Simba in The Lion King and produced the short film Guava Island, in which he starred.
2019: Voiced Simba in The Lion King Remake
In 2019, Donald Glover voiced adult Simba in The Lion King remake.
2020: Released 3.15.20
In 2020, Donald Glover released his fourth album, 3.15.20.
April 2021: Announced Writing a Film Trilogy
In April 2021, Donald Glover tweeted that he was in the midst of writing a trilogy of feature films.
February 2022: Atlanta Seasons 3 and 4 Completed Filming
In February 2022, both seasons 3 and 4 of Atlanta had completed filming.
March 2022: Announced Lando Calrissian Series
In March 2022, Donald Glover announced that he was working on a Disney+ Star Wars series based on Lando Calrissian.
March 24, 2022: Atlanta Season 3 Premiered
On March 24, 2022, season 3 of Atlanta premiered.
September 15, 2022: Atlanta Final Season Premiered
On September 15, 2022, the final season of Atlanta premiered.
2022: Finished Starring in Atlanta
In 2022, Donald Glover finished starring in the FX series Atlanta.
2023: Co-created Swarm
In 2023, Donald Glover co-created the comedy thriller television series Swarm.
2023: Reprised Role in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
In 2023, Donald Glover reprised his role as Aaron Davis in a live-action cameo in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
January 8, 2024: Starring in 21 Savage Biopic
On January 8, 2024, it was announced that Donald Glover would star in the biopic of rap artist 21 Savage, titled American Dream: The 21 Savage Story, alongside Caleb McLaughlin and Savage himself. Glover was expected to play 21 Savage in the film.
April 2024: Announcement of Atavista and New Album
In April 2024, during a radio stream by Glover's production company GILGA, Glover revealed plans to re-release 3.15.20 as a "finished" album called Atavista, as well as announcing the existence of a new album. Glover said the latter would be the final Childish Gambino album and would act as a soundtrack to an upcoming film called Bando Stone & the New World.
May 13, 2024: Release of Atavista
On May 13, 2024, Glover released Atavista.
July 2024: Announcement of The New World Tour and Release of Bando Stone & the New World
In July 2024, Glover announced The New World Tour in support of both albums and released the soundtrack to Bando Stone & the New World later that month.
October 4, 2024: Cancellation of The New World Tour
On October 4, 2024, Donald Glover announced on Twitter that he has cancelled the remaining shows for The New World Tour due to surgery and recovery for an undisclosed ailment.
2024: Created and Starred in Mr. & Mrs. Smith
In 2024, Donald Glover created and starred in the Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
2024: Released Atavista and Bando Stone & the New World
In 2024, Donald Glover released Atavista, a reworking of 3.15.20, and his fifth album Bando Stone & the New World.
