Tim Story Bio
Timothy Kevin Story (born March 13, 1970) is an American film director, producer, and editor best known for Barbershop (2002), Fantastic Four (2005), and the Ride Along franchise. He is the founder of The Story Company, a production company co-founded with his wife Vicky in 1996. Story became the first African-American film director to gross over US$1 billion at the worldwide box office. He has been celebrated as a trailblazer in Black cinema and is noted for bringing major comic book adaptations and accessible comedies to a wide audience.
Early Life and Background
Tim Story was born in Los Angeles, California on March 13, 1970. From a young age, he displayed a strong interest in filmmaking by making home movies with an 8mm movie camera whenever his brother became bored with it. This early experimentation with visual storytelling foreshadowed his future career in directing feature films.
Story attended Westchester High School in Los Angeles, where he was classmates with future actress Regina King, actress Nia Long, and jazz pianist Eric Reed. He served as senior class president during his time at Westchester High, demonstrating leadership qualities that would later translate into his work behind the camera. His formal education in filmmaking culminated at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he graduated in 1991.
While in high school, Story briefly pursued a career in music before turning his attention entirely to directing. He was part of Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate and appeared as a member of the group T.D.F. on a song from the 1988 compilation album Rhyme Syndicate Comin’ Through. A tragic incident occurred when a group member was shot and killed prior to the group being signed to Warner Bros. Records, which prompted Story to shift his focus to feature filmmaking.
Path to Director
After his experience with the music industry, Tim Story decided to pursue feature filmmaking. He made his feature debut with One of Us Tripped in 1997, adopting a production model similar to Kevin Smith’s approach with Clerks (1994). Story completed the film for $30,000 on 16mm film with a crew of just one person. The low-budget production eventually recouped its investment through a distribution deal.
His second feature, The Firing Squad (1999), was made with a budget that grew from $60,000 to $200,000 and left him in significant debt. To pay off his financial obligations, Story took on music video directing work. The skills he developed while filming music videos would later prove invaluable when he directed Barbershop, as the fast-paced, music-driven comedy required similar technical expertise.
Tim Story Career
Early Career (1997–2002)
Tim Story began his directing career with low-budget independent features that allowed him to hone his craft. One of Us Tripped (1997) and The Firing Squad (1999) both demonstrated his ability to maximize limited resources. These early projects, while not commercial successes, provided Story with essential experience in storytelling, production management, and working within severe budget constraints. His determination to succeed despite financial setbacks showcased his resilience as a filmmaker.
The experience Story gained from his early independent films and his music video work positioned him well for his breakthrough opportunity. When he received the chance to direct a mainstream comedy, he applied the lessons learned from years of working with limited resources and tight deadlines.
Breakthrough (2002–2010)
Tim Story’s breakthrough came with Barbershop (2002), a comedy that became a major commercial success and established him as a capable mainstream director. The film’s blend of humor and heart resonated with audiences, demonstrating Story’s skill at directing ensemble casts and comedic material. The success of Barbershop transformed him from an independent filmmaker into a recognized Hollywood director.
Following Barbershop, Story directed Taxi (2004) and then received the opportunity to direct Fantastic Four (2005), one of Marvel’s most prominent comic book properties. At the time, this film became the highest-grossing superhero movie ever directed by an African-American filmmaker. He reprised his directing duties for the sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). Story later reflected that working on these large-scale productions taught him valuable lessons about managing multiple aspects of filmmaking simultaneously, including principal photography, second-unit action sequences, and visual effects work.
The early cut of Fantastic Four impressed executives at 20th Century Fox enough to offer Story the directing opportunity, partly because he was already a fan of the source material. He directed Think Like a Man Too (2014), continuing his work in the comedy genre.
Notable Works and Milestones
Tim Story’s career is defined by several landmark projects that have collectively grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Barbershop launched a successful franchise, while Fantastic Four brought major comic book adaptations under his directorial control. The Ride Along franchise, starring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube, became one of the most successful comedy series of the 2010s, with both installments performing strongly at the box office. Story’s ability to transition seamlessly between genres, from urban comedies to superhero blockbusters, has made him one of the most versatile directors in contemporary Hollywood.
Tim Story Award Nominations
Tim Story has received recognition from major industry organizations throughout his career. He has been nominated for NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Feature Film/Television Movie in both 2006 and 2013, highlighting his consistent excellence in the directing field.
Tim Story Awards Won
While Tim Story has received multiple award nominations for his directing work, the available verified information focuses on his nominations rather than specific wins. His two NAACP Image Award nominations in 2006 and 2013 reflect industry recognition of his achievements as a director.
Tim Story Family
Tim Story is married to Vicky Story, whom he wed in 2003. The couple co-founded The Story Company in 1996, several years before their marriage. They have three children together. The Story Company, founded while the two were still together, has produced many of Tim Story’s film projects and remains active in the entertainment industry.
Personal Life
Outside of his filmmaking career, Tim Story continues to reside in Los Angeles, where he maintains an active presence in the entertainment industry. He has been credited with paving the way for other Black filmmakers in Hollywood, and his commercial success has made him a role model in the industry. Through The Story Company, he remains involved in developing new projects across film and television. His career spans more than two decades, and he continues to direct and produce new content as of 2025.