Donald Glover, known professionally as Childish Gambino, is a multi-talented American artist involved in acting, comedy, music, writing, directing, and producing. He rose to prominence writing for the sitcom "30 Rock" and starring in "Community." His most acclaimed work is the FX series "Atlanta," which he created, starred in, and occasionally directed, earning him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. His career showcases his diverse talents and significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
September 25, 1983: Birth of Donald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover Jr. was born on September 25, 1983, at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, California.
1994: Release of "The Lion King"
This date refers to the original release of Disney's animated classic, "The Lion King," which Donald Glover remade in 2019, voicing the adult Simba.
2005: Release of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
This date references the original release of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," which Donald Glover would later be involved in rebooting for television.
2005: Donald Glover as mcDJ
While attending NYU, Donald Glover began DJing and producing electronic music under the moniker MC DJ (later mcDJ), remixing Sufjan Stevens' album "Illinois" (2005).
2006: Donald Glover Graduates from NYU
Donald Glover graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in dramatic writing in 2006.
2006: Donald Glover Starts Writing for "30 Rock"
Donald Glover was hired as a writer for the NBC sitcom "30 Rock" in 2006.
June 2008: Release of "Sick Boi"
Donald Glover, using the stage name Childish Gambino, released the independent mixtape "Sick Boi" in June 2008.
2008: Writers Guild of America Award and "Saturday Night Live" Audition
Donald Glover and the "30 Rock" writing team won a Writers Guild of America Award in 2008. He also unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of President Barack Obama on "Saturday Night Live" that year.
September 2009: Release of "Poindexter"
Childish Gambino released his second mixtape, "Poindexter", in September 2009.
September 2009: Premiere of "Community"
Dan Harmon's NBC sitcom "Community", starring Donald Glover, premiered in September 2009.
2009: Premiere of "Mystery Team"
The film "Mystery Team", starring Donald Glover and his sketch comedy group Derrick Comedy, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009.
2009: Donald Glover Joins "Community"
In 2009, Donald Glover joined the cast of the NBC sitcom "Community" as Troy Barnes.
March 2010: Donald Glover on "Comedy Central Presents"
Donald Glover performed a 30-minute stand-up set on "Comedy Central Presents" in March 2010.
May 2010: #donald4spiderman Campaign
In May 2010, a fan-driven campaign urging Donald Glover to audition for the role of Spider-Man in "The Amazing Spider-Man" went viral.
July 2010: Rising Comedy Star Award and Gap Campaign
Donald Glover received the Rising Comedy Star award at the Just for Laughs festival and was featured in Gap's holiday advertising campaign in July 2010.
2010: Campaign to Play Spider-Man
In 2010, Donald Glover initiated a campaign to portray Spider-Man, expressing his desire to play the superhero. This garnered attention and support from fans, ultimately influencing his casting as Aaron Davis, Miles Morales's uncle, in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017).
March 2011: Release of Debut EP and Start of IAMDONALD Tour
Donald Glover released his first extended play, "EP," for free in March 2011, alongside a music video for "Freaks and Geeks." He also hosted the MTVU Woodie Awards and began his nationwide IAMDONALD Tour, a one-man show blending rap, comedy, and video.
November 15, 2011: Release of Debut Album "Camp"
Donald Glover released his debut studio album, "Camp," on November 15, 2011, under Glassnote Records. The album featured production by Ludwig Göransson and was supported by the singles "Bonfire" and "Heartbeat."
November 2011: "Weirdo" Comedy Special Premieres
In November 2011, Donald Glover's one-hour stand-up comedy special, "Weirdo," aired on Comedy Central.
2011: Donald Glover Signs with Glassnote Records and Releases "Camp"
Donald Glover signed with Glassnote Records and released his debut studio album, "Camp", in 2011.
March 2012: Camp Gambino Tour Postponement
Donald Glover's planned Camp Gambino Tour, meant to begin in March 2012, was postponed to April due to a foot fracture.
May 2012: New Music Releases and "Royalty" Mixtape
In May 2012, Donald Glover released tracks like "Eat Your Vegetables" and "Fuck Your Blog." He later premiered songs from his mixtape "Royalty," released for free in July, featuring collaborations including his brother, Steve G. Lover III.
November 2012: Work Begins on Second Album and "Atlanta" Development
By November 2012, Glover and Göransson were working on a "bigger" second album. Simultaneously, Glover signed a deal with FX to create, write, executive produce, and star in a music-themed show titled "Atlanta."
August 2013: "Atlanta" Enters Development
Donald Glover's FX series, "Atlanta," began its development in August 2013.
October 2013: Completion of "Because the Internet" Recording
Donald Glover finished recording his second studio album, "Because the Internet," in October 2013.
2013: Release of "Because the Internet"
Donald Glover released his second album, "Because the Internet", in 2013.
2013: Film and Television Appearances
In 2013, Donald Glover appeared in the romantic comedy "The To Do List" and guest-starred in two episodes of the comedy-drama series "Girls."
May 2014: The Deep Web Tour Concludes
Donald Glover's The Deep Web Tour, which ran from February to May 2014, concluded.
June 2014: First RIAA Gold Certifications
In June 2014, Donald Glover received his first RIAA Gold certifications for his single "Heartbeat" and his album "Because the Internet," both surpassing 500,000 copies sold.
October 2, 2014: Release of "STN MTN" Mixtape and "Kauai" EP
On October 2, 2014, Donald Glover released his mixtape "STN MTN" for free download. The following day, he released the EP "Kauai," with proceeds supporting law enforcement policies and the preservation of Kauai island. These projects were described as a joint effort and the "first concept mixtape ever."
December 2014: FX Orders "Atlanta"
FX officially ordered Donald Glover's series "Atlanta" in December 2014.
2014: Donald Glover Departs "Community"
In 2014, Donald Glover departed from his role as a full-time cast member on "Community".
October 2015: FX Announces "Atlanta" Season 1
In October 2015, FX announced a 10-episode first season for Donald Glover's series "Atlanta."
2015: Donald Glover's Film Appearances
Donald Glover appeared in several films in 2015, including "The Lazarus Effect", "Magic Mike XXL", and "The Martian".
2015: Glover Begins Dating Michelle White
Donald Glover began his relationship with Michelle White in 2015.
2015: Notable Film Appearances
Throughout 2015, Donald Glover appeared in several films, including "The Lazarus Effect" as a scientist, "Magic Mike XXL" as a singer performing a cover of Bruno Mars' "Marry You," and Ridley Scott's "The Martian" as an astrodynamicist. He also contributed to the soundtrack of "Creed," providing vocals and co-writing songs.
September 6, 2016: Premiere of "Atlanta" on FX
On September 6, 2016, the FX series "Atlanta" premiered to critical acclaim. Donald Glover played a significant role in the show's development, serving as writer, occasional director, executive producer, and star, portraying Earnest "Earn" Marks.
September 2016: Debut of "Pharos Experience" and New Music
In September 2016, Donald Glover held three "Pharos Experience" performances in Joshua Tree, California, where he debuted songs from his upcoming album, "Awaken, My Love!"
2016: Release of "Redbone" and "Awaken, My Love!"
Donald Glover released the single "Redbone" and his third album, "Awaken, My Love!", in 2016.
2016: Glover's First Son is Born
Donald Glover and Michelle White welcomed their first son in early 2016.
2016: "Atlanta" Premieres
Donald Glover's FX series "Atlanta", which he created and occasionally directed, premiered in 2016.
April 2017: Time 100 Most Influential People
In April 2017, Donald Glover was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People. The entry, written by Tina Fey, praised Glover's versatility and ability to embody the aspirations of his generation.
June 2017: Retirement of Childish Gambino Announced
During a performance at the Governors Ball Music Festival in June 2017, Donald Glover announced his intention to retire his musical alter ego, Childish Gambino, stating that he would release one final album. He later explained that he felt his music career had run its course and he preferred to end on a high note.
2017: Donald Glover in "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Donald Glover played Aaron Davis in the superhero film "Spider-Man: Homecoming" in 2017.
January 2018: Signing with RCA Records
Donald Glover signed with RCA Records in January 2018, marking a significant step in his musical career. He viewed the move as a necessary change of pace.
January 2018: RCA Records Contract and Album Expectation
Following his signing with RCA Records in January 2018, Donald Glover was expected to release another album as part of the deal.
January 2018: Glover's Second Son is Born
Glover and White's second son was born in January 2018.
May 2018: Release of "This Is America"
In May 2018, Donald Glover, pulling double duty as host and musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," released "This Is America." The song, a commentary on gun violence and race relations in the United States, became his first number-one single and sparked widespread conversations. Its impactful music video, directed by Hiro Murai, further amplified its message.
July 2018: Release of "Summer Pack" EP
In July 2018, Donald Glover released the "Summer Pack" EP, featuring the singles "Summertime Magic" and "Feels Like Summer." The EP offered a taste of his upcoming album and showcased his versatility in blending genres.
December 2018: Death of Donald Glover's Father
Donald Glover's father passed away in December 2018.
2018: Grammy Nominations and Performance for "Awaken, My Love!"
Donald Glover's album "Awaken, My Love!" earned Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2018. The single "Redbone" won Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Glover performed "Terrified" at the 60th Grammy Awards ceremony.
2018: Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian
Donald Glover portrayed Lando Calrissian in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in 2018.
2018: Release of "This Is America"
Donald Glover released the single "This Is America" in 2018.
2018: Cancellation of Animated "Deadpool" Series
An animated "Deadpool" series, created by Donald Glover for FX, was canceled in 2018 due to creative differences. Glover later shared an unofficial script on Twitter.
April 2019: Collaboration with Adidas Originals
Donald Glover partnered with Adidas Originals in April 2019 to reimagine classic sneaker designs. The "Donald Glover Presents" line, promoted through humorous ads featuring Mo'Nique, highlighted his influence on fashion and culture.
April 2019: Premiere of "Algorythm" and Coachella Performance
After headlining Coachella in April 2019, Donald Glover released the song "Algorythm" through the augmented reality app Pharos AR. The app offered fans an innovative and immersive musical experience.
December 2019: Endorsement of Andrew Yang
Donald Glover publicly endorsed Andrew Yang, the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, in December 2019. He also took on the role of creative consultant for Yang's campaign.
2019: Voice Acting and "Guava Island"
In 2019, Donald Glover provided the voice of adult Simba in "The Lion King" and starred in the short film "Guava Island", which he also produced.
March 15, 2020: Surprise Release of Fourth Album
On March 15, 2020, Donald Glover surprised fans by streaming his fourth studio album, later titled "3.15.20," on his website for 12 hours. The album featured collaborations with 21 Savage and Ariana Grande and received critical acclaim.
November 2020: Statements on "Atlanta" and Future Music
In November 2020, Donald Glover hinted at the high quality of the upcoming seasons of "Atlanta," comparing them to "The Sopranos." He also teased his next musical project as his most ambitious yet.
2020: Release of "3.15.20"
Donald Glover released his fourth album, "3.15.20", in 2020.
2020: Glover's Third Son is Born
Donald Glover and Michelle White's third son was born in 2020.
April 2021: Announcement of Film Trilogy
In April 2021, Donald Glover revealed on Twitter his plans to write a trilogy of feature films, signaling his continued ambition in filmmaking.
February 2022: Completion of Filming for "Atlanta" Seasons 3 and 4
Both seasons 3 and 4 of "Atlanta" wrapped filming in February 2022, marking a significant milestone in the production of the show's final chapters.
March 2022: Announcement of "Star Wars" Series
Donald Glover announced his involvement in a Disney+ "Star Wars" series centered around Lando Calrissian in March 2022, further expanding his presence in the franchise.
March 24, 2022: Premiere of "Atlanta" Season 3
The highly anticipated third season of "Atlanta," created by and starring Donald Glover, premiered on March 24, 2022.
September 15, 2022: Premiere of "Atlanta" Season 4
The fourth and final season of "Atlanta" premiered on September 15, 2022, concluding the critically acclaimed series.
October 2022: Dan Harmon Hints at Glover's Return for Community Movie
In October 2022, Community creator Dan Harmon expressed his belief that Donald Glover would be part of the upcoming Community film, based on word of mouth, though no official deal was in place at the time.
December 2022: Announcement of Spider-Man Universe Film
In December 2022, news broke of Donald Glover's involvement in a Sony Pictures' Spider-Man spin-off film, potentially focusing on the Hypno-Hustler character.
2022: "Atlanta" Concludes
In 2022, Donald Glover's FX series "Atlanta" concluded.
April 2023: Glover Confirms Return for Community Movie
In April 2023, Donald Glover confirmed that he would be reprising his role in the highly anticipated Community movie.
July 2023: Glover Brothers to Write "Lando" Series
In July 2023, it was revealed that Donald Glover and his brother, Stephen, would be taking over as head writers for the upcoming Star Wars series "Lando."
2023: "Swarm" Premieres
Donald Glover co-created the comedy thriller television series "Swarm", which premiered in 2023.
January 8, 2024: Glover to Star in 21 Savage Biopic
On January 8, 2024, it was announced that Glover would be starring in and producing a biopic about the life of British-American rapper 21 Savage, titled "American Dream: The 21 Savage Story."
January 2024: Glover Marries Michelle White
Donald Glover and Michelle White married in a private ceremony in January 2024.
April 2024: Glover Reveals "Atavista" and Final Album Plans
During a radio stream in April 2024, Donald Glover announced the re-release of his album "3.15.20" as a completed project titled "Atavista." He also disclosed his plans for a final Childish Gambino album intended to serve as the soundtrack for an upcoming film, "Bando Stone in the New World."
May 13, 2024: Glover Releases "Atavista"
On May 13, 2024, Donald Glover released "Atavista," a reworked and finalized version of his previously released album "3.15.20."
2024: Release of "Atavista"
Donald Glover released "Atavista", a reworking of his album "3.15.20", in 2024.
2024: "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"
In 2024, Donald Glover created and starred in the Prime Video series "Mr. & Mrs. Smith".