MAY 2002

SCREENWRITER
Gregory Allen Howard

Success is the sweetest revenge in Hollywood. When Gregory Allen Howard, H-town's only Black historical-drama specialist, wrote the screenplay for Remember the Titans, the major studios initially passed on the project. But when the film (released by Disney) grossed about $116 million, he felt totally vindicated. "I struggled in the beginning," admits Howard about his modest start 14 years ago. "I didn't have any contacts, and I spent a year just trying to get someone to read what I wrote." Now the Alexandria, Virginia, native is pursued for major projects like last year's Ali, which boasted the biggest Christmas Day opening in movie history and earned Will Smith a Best Actor Oscar nod. Says Howard, "I'm trying to be the greatest writer in Hollywood. When I have ten to twenty written, I'll be happy." - T.S.V.