Nate Parker

Parker was born in Norfolk, Virginia, to Carolyn Whitfield, a 17-year-old single mother. Although Parker's mother did not marry his biological father, Parker had a relationship with his father until his father died from cancer when Parker was 11. Parker's mother's first husband gave Parker his surname. After a divorce, Parker's mother then married her second husband, Walter Whitford, who was in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Bath, Maine. Parker has four younger sisters.{{cite news|last1=Kent|first1=Alexandyr|title=Louisiana Movies: Glamour, Geeks and Gumbo: 'The Great Debaters' interviews: Nate Parker plays brilliant, volatile mind|url=http://louisianamovies.blogspot.com/2007/12/great-debaters-interviews-nate-parker.html|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Louisiana Movies|date=December 24, 2007}}

At the age of 14, after problems at home with his stepfather, Parker moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia to live with his maternal uncle, Jay Combs. Combs, a former wrestler, encouraged Parker to join the wrestling team at Princess Anne High School. He then attended Churchland High School and continued on their wrestling team, before moving to Great Bridge High School before attending Penn State University on a wrestling scholarship in 1999.

Parker placed third in the Virginia High School League state wrestling championships as a junior while attending Churchland High School. Parker's mother moved to the Great Bridge High School district so Parker could participate in its wrestling program. He was a member of the 1997–98 state champion Great Bridge wrestling team and was a state champion {{convert|135|lb|kg|adj=on}} wrestler who placed third in the High School National Wrestling Championships, while becoming a high school All-American.{{cite web|title=Wildcat History|url=http://greatbridgewrestling.com/history.htm|website=Great Bridge Wrestling Club|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030311172607/http://greatbridgewrestling.com/history.htm|archive-date=March 11, 2003}}{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Mark|title=Sundance sensation: Ex-wrestler Parker's 'The Birth of a Nation' film|url=https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/15812|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=InterMat|date=February 6, 2016}}{{cite web|title=House Joint Resolution No. 450 (JH450ER)|url=https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?981+ful+HJ450ER+pdf|website=Legislative Information System|publisher=Virginia General Assembly|access-date=August 19, 2016|date=March 14, 1998}}

Parker earned a full scholarship to wrestle at Penn State University.{{cite web|title=BYU Wrestling Aaron Holker vs Nate Parker Penn State 133 1999 NCAA Tournament|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWznFn4pKm8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/SWznFn4pKm8| archive-date=2021-11-16 | url-status=live|website=High School Wrestling Matches|access-date=August 19, 2016|date=1999}}{{cbignore}} At Penn State, Parker was nationally ranked as a freshman.{{cite news|title=Nittany Lions Begin Four-Match Road Trip with Loss to Illinois|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0EB96E79B3D28A63?p=AWNB|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Centre Daily Times|date=February 13, 1999|location=State College, PA|page=3B}}

After transferring to the University of Oklahoma, Parker continued to be ranked as a redshirt junior {{convert|141|lb|kg|adj=on}} wrestler.{{cite web |title=Oklahoma Sooners. Player Profile: Nate Parker |url=http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208795218 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820005755/http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208795218 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016 |website=University of Oklahoma}}{{cite news|title=College Wrestling Outlook - Weight-by-Weight (With Last Year's Records in Parentheses)|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0EFAA4D08D187F21?p=AWNB|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=The Daily Oklahoman|date=November 7, 2001|location=Oklahoma City, OK|page=4D}} In 2002, Parker placed fifth at the National Collegiate Athletic Association wrestling championships and became an All-American at Oklahoma. Following his fifth-place finish, he was ranked second nationally as a redshirt senior.{{cite news|title=Amateur Wrestling News Div. I Individual Rankings|url=http://www.themat.com/rankings.php?page=ranking_details&RankingID=418|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=TheMat.com|date=November 30, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203123318/http://www.themat.com/rankings.php?page=ranking_details&RankingID=418|archive-date=December 3, 2007}}

File:20080906 Nate Parker.jpg]]

Parker, who was working as a computer programmer, was discovered by Los Angeles talent manager Jon Simmons while attending an event in Dallas with a model friend.{{cite news|title=Nate the Great|url=http://gotham-magazine.com/nate-the-great|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Gotham|date=May 19, 2010}} Simmons had Parker audition and put himself on tape, and then encouraged Parker to move to Los Angeles where he gradually found work as an actor.{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Mekado|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/tribeca-first-timers-nate-parker/|title=Tribeca First-Timers: Nate Parker|access-date=November 5, 2014|date=April 23, 2014|work=The New York Times}}{{cite news|last1=Welkos|first1=Robert W.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-dec-24-et-nate24-story.html|title=No argument, his goal is to be a star|access-date=November 8, 2008|date=December 24, 2007|work=Los Angeles Times}}

In 2006, Parker played the male lead in Rome & Jewel, a hip-hop take on Romeo and Juliet that got cancelled and then re-released in 2008. Parker's title character, a modern day Romeo, was a Compton youth. Parker's rap performance in the film earned comparisons to Will Smith from Nathan Lee of The New York Times.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9404E1DD1E3BF93BA15752C1A96E9C8B63|title=Film In Review; Rome & Jewel|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=November 28, 2008|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Lee, Nathan}}{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-11-26/film/rome-jewel-s-soapy-contemporary-take-on-shakespeare-not-as-good-as-baz-luhrmann-s/full/|title=Rome & Jewel's Soapy, Contemporary Take On Shakespeare Not As Good As Baz Luhrmann's|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=November 26, 2008|work=The Village Voice|author=Hillis, Aaron}} In 2007, he had a small role in Pride, about an African American swim team.{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-03-22-pride-interview_N.htm|title='Pride' star dived deep into role|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=March 22, 2007|work=USA Today|author=Deerwester, Jayme}}

In 2007, Parker played the role of Henry Lowe in the Denzel Washington-directed film The Great Debaters. The character was based on the real-life debater Henry Heights, from Wiley College. Parker attended a debate boot camp to make his performance more authentic.{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=John|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2007/12/23/2007-12-23_nate_parker_stars_in_great_debaters.html|title=Nate Parker stars in 'Great Debaters'|access-date=November 8, 2008|date=December 22, 2007|work=New York Daily News}} He portrayed a multifaceted character. Stephen Holden of The New York Times described Parker's portrayal as having depicted a "handsome, clean-cut youth with a lurking bad-boy streak",{{cite news|last1=Holden|first1=Stephen|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/movies/25deba.html?|title=Leading the Charge to Inspire Underdogs|access-date=November 9, 2008|date=December 25, 2007|work=The New York Times}} while John Clark of the New York Daily News described the role as that of a "silver-tongued orator and ladies' man". Other reviewers also noted the nuances of the character.{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-great-debaters-2007|title=The Great Debaters|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=December 24, 2007|author=Ebert, Roger}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/Great-Debaters-2811.html|title=The Great Debaters|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=December 24, 2007|website=CinemaBlend.com|author=Rich, Katey}} Parker also performed on the soundtrack.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} Parker and co-stars Forest Whitaker and Denzel Washington were all nominated for the 2008 NAACP Image Awards in the best supporting actor category, which Denzel Washington won.{{cite news|last1=Smiley |first1=Tavis |title=Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker |url=https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200801/20080118_nateparkerjurnee.html |access-date=August 19, 2016 |work=Tavis Smiley |publisher=PBS |date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220013605/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200801/20080118_nateparkerjurnee.html%23 |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |format=Transcript only |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2008/02/denzel_wins_big_at_naacp_image.php|title=Denzel Wins Big at NAACP Image Awards|access-date=December 13, 2008|date=February 15, 2008|work=Extra}} Parker would develop a continuing relationship with Wiley College.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/nate-parker-launches-new-film-school-at-historically-black-wiley-college-home-of-the-great-debaters-135410/|title=Nate Parker Launches New Film School at Historically Black Wiley College (Home of The Great Debaters)|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=March 21, 2016|work=IndieWire|author=Obenson, Tambay A.}}

in 2008, Parker performed in a pair of low-budget movies: Felon and Tunnel Rats. Despite these early light roles, Parker's onscreen charisma and general je ne sais quoi showed, earning Parker comparisons to Paul Newman.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/2007/11/nate-parker-has/|title=Nate Parker has it|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=November 20, 2007|author=Wells, Jeffrey|website=Hollywood-elsewhere.com}} In Felon, Parker played a rookie guard dealing with inner turmoil.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/felon|title=Felon|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=November 4, 2008|author=Stimson, Ella|work=The National}} Parker appeared as Private Jim Lidford in Tunnel Rats, a 2008 German-Canadian war film about tunnel rat soldiers during the Vietnam War. The film stars Michael Paré, Brandon Fobbs, and Wilson Bethel, and was written and directed by Uwe Boll.{{Cite web|date=2016-10-28|title=The 'world's worst director': are Uwe Boll's movies really that bad?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/28/uwe-boll-director-bloodrayne-alone-in-the-dark|access-date=2021-10-13|website=The Guardian|language=en}}

In 2008's The Secret Life of Bees, Parker played the good-hearted love interest of Alicia Keys' character.{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2008-10-17/entertainment/24992051_1_lily-gina-prince-bythewood-bees|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107164935/http://articles.philly.com/2008-10-17/entertainment/24992051_1_lily-gina-prince-bythewood-bees|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|title='Secret Life of Bees': Honey with a sting|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=October 17, 2008|website=Philly.com|author=Rickey, Carrie}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/movies/the-secret-life-of-bees-review-57245176/|title=The Secret Life of Bees Review|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=October 18, 2008|website=Hollywood.com|author=Hammond, Pete}} Parker's character has to deal with the challenges of spurned love.{{cite web|url=http://www.miami.com/the-secret-life-of-bees-pg-13-article|title= The Secret Life of Bees (PG-13) **: All sugar -- and very little spice.|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=October 17, 2008|work=Miami Herald|author=Rodriguez, Rene}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/secret-life-bees-star-alicia-keys-hive-activity-article-1.304349|title='Secret Life of Bees' star Alicia Keys' hive of activity|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=October 10, 2008|work=New York Daily News|author=Huguenin, Patrick}} The movie was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and based on the book of the same name by Sue Monk Kidd.{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=A. O.|title=A Golden Dollop of Motherly Comfort|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/movies/17bees.html|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=October 16, 2008}}

In the 2010 film Blood Done Sign My Name, based on a true story of small-town racial turmoil set against a backdrop of segregation in 1970,{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-02-19/entertainment/24956679_1_black-history-month-benjamin-chavis-black-folks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115013505/http://articles.philly.com/2010-02-19/entertainment/24956679_1_black-history-month-benjamin-chavis-black-folks|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 15, 2014|title=Brutal look at the South in the days of Jim Crow|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=February 19, 2010|work=Philadelphia Inquirer|author=Rea, Steven}} Parker plays a 22-year-old Benjamin Chavis.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/movies/14blood.html|title=North Carolina as It Was, Split and Seething|access-date=September 20, 2016|date=February 12, 2010|work=The New York Times|author=Cheshire, Godfrey}} Parker's Chavis was a teacher who had been born into an affluent African-American family and would later become the Executive Director of the N.A.A.C.P.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/19/movies/19blood.html|title=A Town Torn Asunder by Racial Killing in '70|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=February 18, 2010|work=The New York Times|author=Scott, A. O.}} A. O. Scott of The New York Times described Parker as "diffident" and his portrayal as "thoughtful, morally serious". Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that events in the film move Parker with both "resolve and rage": Roger Ebert described Parker's Chavis as "energized and angered" in one of the two main storylines of the film that started with Chavis leading an economic boycott after an adverse court verdict.{{cite web|url=http://ebert.suntimes.com/reviews/blood-done-sign-my-name-2010|title=Blood Done Sign My Name|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=February 17, 2010|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Ebert, Roger}} Parker's character was upstaged according to Scott and Ebert. However, Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune noted that Parker's portrayal infused dimension into Chavis, whose cousin's death was the subject of the film. Phillips noted that the role showed that with the right choices Parker had the potential to be a big star in the future.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/02/18/blood-done-sign-my-name-could-use-a-little-more-of-the-human-touch/|title='Blood Done Sign My Name' could use a little more of the human touch|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=February 18, 2010|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Phillips, Michael}}

In 2012, Parker appeared as a World War II squadron commander in Red Tails, a film portraying Tuskegee Airmen. Parker's character drinks to cope with the stress of the fighter pilot lifestyle. In the movie, Parker plays Marty "Easy" Julian who commanded the escorts for the World War II bombers in the face of Nazi fighter planes.{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2012/01/20/red_tails_tends_to_stall_when_it_is_in_the_air/?page=full|title=Red Tails: 'Red Tails' tends to stall when it is in the air|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=January 20, 2012|work=The Boston Globe|author=Morris, Wesley}} While Peter Travers of Rolling Stone noted that Parker shone in his role,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/red-tails-20120127|title=Red Tails|access-date=September 22, 2016|date=January 27, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Travers, Peter}} Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe felt Oyelowo stood out. Although the story is a fictionalization,{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/01/19/heroism-loses-to-hollywood-in-red-tails-2-stars/|title=Heroism loses to Hollywood in 'Red Tails' — 2 stars|access-date=September 23, 2016|date=January 19, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Phillips, Michael}} Bilge Ebiri of New York and Holden note that the relationship between the two is the story's central one.{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/01/movie-review-the-lifeless-red-tails.html|title=Movie Review: The Lifeless Red Tails|access-date=September 23, 2016|date=January 19, 2012|work=New York|author=Ebiri, Bilge}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/movies/red-tails-george-lucass-tale-of-tuskegee-airmen-review.html|title=Pilots Who Fought to Soar Above Racism|access-date=September 23, 2016|date=January 19, 2012|work=The New York Times|author=Holden, Stephen}} Holden compared Parker's presence to that of Denzel Washington's. In Arbitrage, Parker's talents were underutilized as the son of a chauffeur who gets caught in a murder coverup, according to David Denby of The New Yorker.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/09/24/risky-business|title=Risky Business: "End of Watch" and "Arbitrage."|access-date=2016-10-01|date=2012-09-24|magazine=The New Yorker|author=Denby, David}} Nonetheless, Ty Burr of The Boston Globe notes that Parker's portrayal of the Harlem native is the only sympathetic character of the film.{{cite web|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/2012/09/13/when-bad-things-happen-very-rich-people/IPJ3HXrLmt0oXvFKpoXX0M/story.html|title='Arbitrage': When bad things happen to very rich people|access-date=2016-10-01|date=2012-09-13|work=The Boston Globe|author=Burr, Ty}} Travers notes the role provides Richard Gere's elitist character with his only interactions with a diverse character in the film.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/arbitrage-20120913|title=Arbitrage|access-date=2016-10-01|date=2012-09-13|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Travers, Peter}} Parker's third and final film of 2012 was Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer. Parker played a gang member named Box, whose role was not central to the film progression according to Phillips.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/sc-mov-0821-red-hook-summer-20120823-column.html|title='Red Hook Summer': Spike Lee summers in Brooklyn, again ★★ 1/2|access-date=October 1, 2016|date=August 23, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Phillips, Michael}}

In 2013, he had a supporting role in Ain't Them Bodies Saints that Richard Brody of The New Yorker described as being a bar owner who is among an "enticing array of characters".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/david-lowerys-aint-them-bodies-saints|title=DAVID LOWERY'S "AIN'T THEM BODIES SAINTS"|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=August 15, 2013|magazine=The New Yorker|author=Brody, Richard}} The role was minor according to Scott.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/16/movies/aint-them-bodies-saints-examines-honor-and-sacrifice.html|title=A Ballad for Those Lost in Love and in Pride: 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' Examines Honor and Sacrifice|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=August 15, 2013|work=The New York Times|author=Scott, A. O.}}

In a 2014 interview with BET during publicity for the film Beyond the Lights that included Parker and director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Parker stated that in order to "preserve the black man" he would not be willing to act in certain character roles. The video was later taken down and is no longer available.{{cite news|url=http://www.ebony.com/news-views/nate-parker-homophobic-comment-422|title=That's Not How It Works, Nate Parker, That's Not How Any of This Works!|last=Arceneaux|first=Michael|date=September 26, 2014|work=Ebony|access-date=February 18, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://everysinglewordspoken.tumblr.com/post/140857175693/the-impossibility-necessity-of-queer-men-of|title=The Impossibility & Necessity of Queer Men of Color on Screen|last1=Marron|first1=Dylan|date=March 11, 2016|website=Every Single Word|access-date=August 20, 2016}} In 2014, Parker also stated he would not take roles, such as gay characters, that he considered to be "emasculating".{{cite news|url=http://madamenoire.com/446947/nate-parker/|title=Nate Parker: I Refuse To Be Emasculated Onscreen|last1=Victorian|first1=Brande|date=July 11, 2014|work=Madame Noire|access-date=August 20, 2016}}

Kate Taylor of The Globe and Mail described Parker's performance as a novelist with writer's block in the 2014 film About Alex as one of the more real performances in the film despite the "wrote" feel to the emotional developments.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/the-big-chill-redux/article19963365/|title=About Alex: The Big Chill redux|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=August 8, 2014|work=The Globe and Mail|author=Taylor, Kate}} Mike D'Angelo of The A.V. Club also found the crises and conflicts that Parker's character was involved in to be petty.{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/about-alex-shows-why-millennial-big-chill-makes-li-207816|title=About Alex shows why a millennial Big Chill makes little sense|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=August 7, 2014|work=The A.V. Club|author=D'Angelo, Mike}} Parker's independent short film #AmeriCan was nominated in the Outstanding Independent Short category at the Black Reel Awards of 2015 and won.{{cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2015/02/black-reel-awards-selma-ties-the-record.html|title=Black Reel Awards: Selma Ties the Record|access-date=October 2, 2016|website=Beliefnet.com|author=Minow, Nell|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221194121/http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2015/02/black-reel-awards-selma-ties-the-record.html|archive-date=February 21, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

That same year, Parker reunited with Prince-Blythewood, playing the male lead in her film Beyond the Lights. He was nominated for a 2015 Black Reel Award for Best Actor and an Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.{{cite web|url=http://blackreelawards.com/15th-annual-black-reel-awards-nominate-a-spate-of-familiar-faces/|title=AND THE NOMINEES ARE . . .|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=December 17, 2014|website=BlackReelAwards.com|archive-date=March 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327105334/http://blackreelawards.com/15th-annual-black-reel-awards-nominate-a-spate-of-familiar-faces/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-selma-leads-naacp-image-awards-nominations-20141209-story.html|title='Selma' leads NAACP Image Awards nominations with eight|access-date=October 2, 2016|date=December 9, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Gettell, Oliver}} In Parker's role as a police officer moonlighting as a bodyguard, his onscreen chemistry with co-star Gugu Mbatha-Raw was praised by Dana Stevens of Slate.{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2014/11/gugu_mbatha_raw_in_beyond_the_lights_reviewed.html|title=The Ballad of Kaz and Noni|access-date=October 3, 2016|date=November 14, 2014|work=Slate|author=Stevens, Dana}} Stevens noted Parker was destined for more substantive performances. The story was hailed as a well-written believable romance with depth by many critics such as Travers and Ebiri,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/beyond-the-lights-20141113|title=Beyond the Lights: A suicidal superstar and an earnest cop bond in this surprisingly spot-on musical drama|access-date=October 3, 2016|date=November 13, 2014|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Travers, Peter}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/movie-review-beyond-the-lights.html|title=The Magnificent Beyond the Lights Reminds Us What a Great Romantic Drama Looks Like|access-date=October 3, 2016|date=November 14, 2014|work=New York|author=Ebiri, Bilge}} earning an 82% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beyond_the_lights/|title=Beyond the Lights|access-date=October 3, 2016|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=November 14, 2014 }}

In the airplane terrorism mystery film Non-Stop, Parker plays a computer programmer.{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/02/non-stop-movie-review-david-edelstein.html|title=Edelstein on the Entertaining B-Movie Mayhem of Non-Stop|access-date=October 4, 2016|date=February 28, 2014|author=Edelstein, David|work=New York}}{{cite magazine|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/28/non-stop-movie-review-liam-neeson/|title=Non-Stop: Liam Neeson's Bumpy Flight: The grizzled action star gets Taken for a ride by a crafty terrorist in this so-so thriller|access-date=October 4, 2016|date=February 28, 2014|author=Corliss, Richard|magazine=Time}} Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times notes that Parker's talents are well-employed in his supporting role.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-non-stop-review-20140228-story.html#axzz2uZqoPLHk|title=Review: Force is with Liam Neeson in 'Non-Stop's' airborne whodunit|access-date=October 4, 2016|date=February 27, 2014|author=Turan, Kenneth|work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/non-stop-review-liam-neeson-kicks-ass-plane-full-red-herrings/|title='Non-Stop' Review: Liam Neeson Kicks Ass on a Plane Full of Red Herrings (Video)|access-date=October 4, 2016|date=February 26, 2014|author=Duralde, Alonso|website=TheWrap}} In Every Secret Thing, Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times found Parker and his detective partner Elizabeth Banks to have been overwhelmed in their roles.{{cite web|url=http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/everysecretthing.aspx|title=EVERY SECRET THING (2015; RATED Rated R)|access-date=October 3, 2014|website=RichardRoeper.com|author=Roeper, Richard}} Travers also found the detectivework to be uncompelling.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/every-secret-thing-20150514|title=Every Secret Thing: A missing-baby case haunts a small town in this indie mystery|access-date=October 3, 2016|date=May 14, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Travers, Peter}} Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter found Parker's performance to have had its moments.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/secret-thing-tribeca-review-698102|title=Every Secret Thing: Tribeca Review|access-date=October 3, 2016|date=April 22, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Scheck, Frank}}

Parker played the role of Slim in the 2015 survival film, Eden. The film was directed by Shyam Madiraju, co-produced by Parker, Jaume Collet-Serra and Shyam Madiraju, and stars Ethan Peck, Jessica Lowndes, Diego Boneta, James Remar and Sung Kang.{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=2015-02-05|title=Berlin: Vertical Buys Ethan Peck-Nate Parker's Thriller 'Eden'|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/berlin-vertical-buys-ethan-peck-nate-parkers-thriller-eden-1201424213/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Variety|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=2020-09-18|title=David Oyelowo Reteams With Nate Parker on Drama 'Solitary'|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/david-oyelowo-nate-parker-solitary-1234774783/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Variety|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=2013-06-27|title=Ethan Peck, Diego Boneta, Nate Parker to Star in Survival Thriller 'Eden' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ethan-peck-diego-boneta-nate-575849/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}

In 2012, Parker directed a short film called #AmeriCAN, which featured La La Anthony and is a thought piece about growing up as a young black person in a racially divided America.{{cite news|last1=Diaz|first1=Evelyn|title=Watch Nate Parker's Short Film #AmeriCAN|url=https://www.bet.com/article/1pecib/watch-nate-parker-s-short-film-american|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=BET|date=October 30, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Smiley|first1=Tavis|last2=Parker|first2=Nate|last3=Purdie-Vaughns|author-link3=Valerie Purdie-Vaughns|first3=Valerie|title=Actor Nate Parker & Psychologist Dr. Valerie Purdie-Vaughns|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/nate-parker-valerie-purdie-vaughns/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120044147/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/nate-parker-valerie-purdie-vaughns/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2014|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Tavis Smiley|date=November 10, 2014}}

For over seven years, Parker worked on making a film based on the life of Nat Turner.{{cite news|last1=Wheat|first1=Alynda|title=Oscars 2017? Star-Turned-Director Nate Parker on How His Bold Movie about Slavery Became a 'Miracle' Success|url=http://www.people.com/article/nate-parker-birth-of-a-nation-movie-sundance|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=People|date=February 3, 2016}} In 2014, he announced that he had funding and was working on assembling his team, and that the film would be called The Birth of a Nation, in an ironic reappropriation of the infamously racist 1915 film of the same name. In addition to writing and directing, Parker cast himself as Turner. Aja Naomi King, Armie Hammer and Gabrielle Union were also cast in key roles.{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/aja-naomi-king-nat-turner-movie-cast-armie-hammer-1201469831/|title=Aja Naomi King Joins Armie Hammer in Nat Turner Movie|work=Variety|access-date=April 10, 2015|date=April 9, 2015}}

The Birth of a Nation attracted increased scrutiny due to rumored Oscar nominations, and because the film itself depicts a brutal rape, the 1999 rape allegations against Parker received significant press coverage.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/16/inside-the-nate-parker-rape-case.html|title=Inside the Nate Parker Rape Case|last1=Briquelet|first1=Kate|date=August 16, 2016|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=August 19, 2016|last2=Nestel|first2=M.L.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/wilson-morales-nate-parker-outrage-920270|title=Wilson Morales: Nate Parker Outrage Doesn't Pass the Smell Test (Guest Column)|last=Morales|first=Wilson|date=August 17, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 17, 2016}} Fox Searchlight Pictures, the studio releasing the film, went into damage control mode.{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/pmcderek/docs/verdict|title=Commonwealth vs. Nathaniel E. Parker (No. 1999-2185): Verdict|date=October 5, 2001|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 19, 2016}} Union, a rape victim and one of the main stars of The Birth of a Nation, wrote in the Los Angeles Times, "As important and ground-breaking as this film is, I cannot take these allegations lightly."{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-union-nate-parker-birth-nation-rape-allegation-20160902-snap-story.html|title='Birth of a Nation' actress Gabrielle Union: I cannot take Nate Parker rape allegations lightly|last=Union|first=Gabrielle|date=September 2, 2016|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 18, 2018}} Parker chose to deflect questions about his past legal problems while doing press for The Birth of a Nation at the Toronto Film Festival.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/12/movies/nate-parker-deflects-questions-about-his-past-to-push-birth-of-a-nation-in-toronto.html|title=Nate Parker Deflects Questions About His Past to Push 'The Birth of a Nation' in Toronto|last=Buckley|first=Cara|date=September 12, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 18, 2018}} Shortly thereafter, Parker and his handlers chose to cut press interviews short when questions came up about his involvement with the alleged rape and its impact on the marketing of the film.{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/thecut/2016/09/nate-parker-birth-of-a-nation-interview-cut-short.html|title=Nate Parker Interview Cut Short After Rape Question|date=September 11, 2016 }}

The sister of Parker's alleged victim said the invention of a rape scene and Parker playing the avenging hero caused her and her family immense pain.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/nate-parker-birth-of-a-nation-rape-claims-sister-penn-state-1201874004/|title=Nate Parker's 'Birth of a Nation' Exploits My Sister All Over Again (Guest Column)|last=Loeffler|first=Sharon|date=September 29, 2016|work=Variety|access-date=October 9, 2016}} To try to defuse the public backlash, Bron Studios hired The Glover Park Group and Don McPherson to give Parker media training and public relations advice. In an October 2016 60 Minutes interview, Parker maintained that he was innocent of the crime and that he did not feel guilty about it, but conceded that, from the perspective of a 36-year-old man, he had done something morally wrong.{{cite magazine|url=http://people.com/movies/a-complete-timeline-of-the-nate-parker-rape-allegations-and-the-production-of-birth-of-a-nation/|title=A Complete Timeline of the Nate Parker Rape Allegations and the Production of Birth of a Nation|last=Pearl|first=Diana|date=October 8, 2016|magazine=People|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/dec/09/mel-gibson-defends-nate-parker-i-dont-think-its-fair-the-birth-of-a-nation|title=Mel Gibson defends Nate Parker: "I don't think it's fair"|last=Pulver|first=Andrew|date=December 9, 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=February 18, 2018}}

In August 2016, Parker was honored with the Sundance Institute's Vanguard Award.{{cite news|title=Nate Parker to Receive Sundance Institute Vanguard Award at Night Before Next Benefit, August 11|url=http://www.sundance.org/blogs/news/2016-nate-parker-vanguard-award|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Sundance Institute|date=June 28, 2016}}

In evaluating the impact of the public's reaction to Parker's alleged 1999 rape of a fellow Penn State student, a film producer told The Hollywood Reporter about Parker's directing career, "His inability to act like he cared that people invested a whole lot of money in him — sorry. You go into the 'life is too short' category." Noting that the first half of the New York Times review of The Birth of a Nation is taken up with the controversy, this person adds, "No matter what Nate Parker makes, ... this will always be the first paragraph."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nate-parkers-failed-media-tour-936102|title=Nate Parker's Failed Media Tour: Anger, No Remorse and Oprah's Advice Ignored|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 7, 2016|access-date=October 9, 2016}} Other industry insiders note that, "unlike [Mel] Gibson — or Roman Polanski or Woody Allen, both accused of sexual assault (Polanski pled guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse) — Parker is just beginning his directing career and has not built up an acclaimed body of work that might encourage some to say they are willing to separate the artist from the art."

In 2019, Parker wrote, directed, and starred in the film American Skin, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August 2019.{{cite web|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|date=August 7, 2019|title=Nate Parker's 'American Skin' To World Premiere At Venice Film Festival|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/venice-film-festival-nate-parker-american-skin-spike-lee-1202663210/|access-date=August 7, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web|date=August 7, 2019|title=American Skin|url=https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2019/sconfini/american-skin|access-date=August 7, 2019|website=Venice Film Festival}} Following its release, American Skin has received $4 million over a fortnight and finished in the top 10 on FandangoNow, Google Play, and Spectrum's PVOD rental charts.{{Cite web|last=Brueggemann|first=Tom|date=January 25, 2021|title='News of the World' and 'Tenet' Dominate VOD While 'The White Tiger' Rises at Netflix|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/01/news-of-the-world-tenet-vod-the-white-tiger-netflix-1234611532/}}{{Cite web|last=Brueggemann|first=Tom|date=February 1, 2021|title=Tenacious 'Tenet' Still Soaring on VOD Charts as 'News of the World' Stays Strong|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/02/vod-tenet-news-of-the-world-1234613701/}} Becoming one of the highest grossing titles for its distributor, Vertical Entertainment on PVOD.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2021-02-06|title=Nate Parker's 'American Skin' Scores Notable PVOD Revenue For Vertical Entertainment|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/nate-parker-american-skin-vertical-entertainment-revenue-record-1234688804/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} The Venice Film Festival’s Sconfini Section awarded the prize of "Best Film" to American Skin on September 7, 2019, the first film addressing the racial injustice theme to have won in the category.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=Lights, Camera, Action: 'Solitary' filming around Harrison for most of October|url=https://www.abbynews.com/entertainment/lights-camera-action-solitary-filming-around-harrison-for-most-of-october/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Abbotsford News|language=en-US}}

Parker's next film is Solitary, an American drama film written, directed, and produced by Nate Parker and stars David Oyelowo, Barry Pepper and Jimmie Fails.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-12|title=How I'm Living Now: David Oyelowo, Actor-Producer|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-im-living-now-david-oyelowo-1293986/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=September 18, 2020|title=David Oyelowo Reteams With Nate Parker on Drama 'Solitary'|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/david-oyelowo-nate-parker-solitary-1234774783/|access-date=September 22, 2020|website=Variety}}

Parker directed 10 episodes of Baselines a web series about a family based in Los Angeles intent on protecting their son, Jamiel Chambers, and his basketball dreams from the dangers of inner-city American life.{{Cite web|date=2018-02-08|title=Nate Parker Mounts Comeback With 'Baselines' Web Series (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/nate-parker-mounts-comeback-baselines-web-series-1082827/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Guerrasio|first=Jason|title=David Oyelowo says 'Birth of a Nation' director Nate Parker 'deserves a second chance' after a rape scandal halted his career|url=https://www.insider.com/david-oyelowo-nate-parker-deserves-second-chance-2020-12|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Insider|language=en-US}}

Parker sponsors scholarships for youth at East Texas Wiley College through the 100 Men of Excellence Initiative.{{cite news|last1=Leoffler|first1=Kim|title=Filmmaker to start new school at Wiley College|url=http://www.kltv.com/story/31514791/filmmaker-to-start-new-school-at-wiley-college|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=KTLV-TV|date=March 18, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Sangweni|first1=Yolanda|title=Exclusive: Nate Parker on His First Spike Lee Joint, 'Red Hook Summer,' and Loving Brooklyn|url=http://www.essence.com/2012/08/07/nate-parker-on-his-first-spike-lee-joint-red-hook-summer-and-loving-brooklyn|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Essence|date=August 8, 2012}} Wiley opened a film school named The Nate Parker School of Film and Drama.

Parker has been a supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America as well as a program called Peace4Kids, which is a program for foster youths and underprivileged youth in South Los Angeles, California where kids are involved in daily activities that stimulate and nurture creativity and intellect. Parker has coached a wrestling team of 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds at Rosemead High School and has assisted in coaching wrestling at Rio Hondo College. Inspired by his experience with The Great Debaters, Parker began working with a Brooklyn initiative called Leadership and Literacy through Debate.{{cite news|last1=Minow|first1=Nell|title=Interview: Nate Parker of "Beyond the Lights"|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2014/11/interview-nate-parker-of-beyond-the-lights.html|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Beliefnet|date=November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817223235/http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2014/11/interview-nate-parker-of-beyond-the-lights.html|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}

The Nate Parker Foundation was founded in 2015 and is based in Brooklyn, New York.{{Cite web|title=NATE PARKER FOUNDATION INC|url=https://www.intellispect.co/organizations/473831544|access-date=2021-10-13|website=www.intellispect.co}}{{Cite web|title=Nate Parker Foundation Inc - Nonprofit Explorer|url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/473831544|access-date=2021-10-13|website=ProPublica|date=May 9, 2013|language=en}} In 2016, the foundation established the Nate Parker Summer Film Institute at Wiley College which was held yearly to use film as a medium of social transformation with 31 students who are either from Africa or of African descent.{{Cite web|title=Wiley College announces new accredited film degree at Nate Parker Summer Film Institute|url=https://www.ksla.com/2019/07/19/wiley-college-announces-new-accredited-film-degree-nate-parker-summer-film-institute/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=KSLA|date=July 19, 2019 |language=en}} The foundation received the first grant to make the HBCU Storytellers Project by the Kellogg Foundation’s Racial Healing and Reconciliation Fund in 2017. The grant covered four short documentaries which address racial issues and stereotypes.{{Cite web|title=Nate Parker Foundation film series traces arrival of 1st African to removal of confederate monuments|url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2020/jan/16/nate-parker-foundation-film-series-traces-arrival-/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=amsterdamnews.com|date=January 16, 2020}} The first film series funded by the grant, Just Mercy, received four NAACP Image awards, Outstanding Ensemble Cast, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, and Outstanding Motion Picture.{{Cite web|date=2020-02-24|title=Just Mercy Wins Four NAACP Image Awards|url=https://eji.org/news/just-mercy-wins-four-naacp-image-awards/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Equal Justice Initiative|language=en-US}} In 2018, the foundation received funding from the Ford Foundation and private stakeholders.{{Cite web|date=2018-07-17|title=Nate Parker Foundation Hosts Program for Aspiring Black Filmmakers at Wiley College|url=https://uncf.org/the-latest/nate-parker-foundation-hosts-program-for-aspiring-black-filmmakers-at-wiley|access-date=2021-10-13|website=UNCF|language=en}}

In August 2007, Parker married Sarah DiSanto, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, whom he met while they were attending Penn State. They were married in Erie's Frontier Park.{{cite news|title=Actor with Erie ties to appear on 'Oprah'|url=http://www.goerie.com/article/20071124/NEWS02/711240381|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Erie Times-News|date=November 24, 2007}} The couple has three daughters in addition to two more daughters Parker had from previous relationships.{{cite news|last1=Nessif|first1=Bruna|last2=Malkin|first2=Marc|title=Birth of a Nation Star Nate Parker Welcomes Baby No. 4|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/785490/birth-of-a-nation-star-nate-parker-welcomes-baby-no-4|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=E!|date=August 4, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Michael|title=Inside Nate Parker's Troubled Childhood and Rise to Hollywood After College Rape Case|url=http://www.people.com/article/nate-parker-birth-a-nation-troubled-childhood-college-rape-case|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=People|date=August 18, 2016}}

Parker has said that he considers himself a Christian, and that he grew up in the church.{{cite news|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Alissa|title=A Conversation with Nate Parker about 'The Birth of a Nation'|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/august-web-only/conversation-with-nate-parker-about-birth-of-nation.html|access-date=August 19, 2016|work=Christianity Today|date=August 11, 2016}}

According to a DNA analysis, some of Parker's ancestry is from the Tikar people of modern-day Cameroon.{{cite web|url=http://theafricachannel.com/watch/african-ancestry-nate-parker-and-taraji-p-henson/|title=Hidden Ancestry Revealed! ft. Nate Parker and Taraji Henson #KnowYourHeritage|date=January 31, 2012|website=The Africa Channel|access-date=August 19, 2016}}

In 1999, while a sophomore at Penn State University, Parker and his roommate and wrestling teammate, Jean McGianni Celestin, cowriters on The Birth of a Nation (2016) together, were accused of raping a fellow student.{{cite web |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Nate Parker Statement, Statement of Jean Celestin |url=https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/parker-statement-wm.pdf |access-date=August 17, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite news |last1=Setoodeh |first1=Ramin |date=August 12, 2016 |title='The Birth of a Nation' Star Nate Parker Addresses College Rape Trial |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/the-birth-of-a-nation-nate-parker-rape-trial-1201836624/ |access-date=August 16, 2016 |work=Variety}}{{cite news |last1=Cieply |first1=Michael |last2=Fleming, Jr. |first2=Mike |date=August 12, 2016 |title=Fox Searchlight, Nate Parker Confront Old Sex Case That Could Tarnish 'The Birth Of A Nation' |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/nate-parker-sex-case-the-birth-of-a-nation-oscar-race-fox-searchlight-1201799115/f |access-date=August 16, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web |last1=Buckley |first1=Cara |last2=Kovaleski |first2=Serge F. |date=August 16, 2016 |title=1999 Rape Case Swirls Around Nate Parker and His Film 'The Birth of a Nation' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/movies/nate-parker-rape-case-birth-of-a-nation-film.html |access-date=August 17, 2016 |website=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Cathy |title=Stop Calling Nate Parker a Rapist |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/08/23/stop-calling-nate-parker-a-rapist/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} She accused Parker and Celestin of having raped her while she was intoxicated and unconscious and stated that she was unsure of how many people had been involved.{{cite news |last1=Briquelet |first1=Kate |last2=Nestel |first2=M.L. |date=August 16, 2016 |title=Inside the Nate Parker Rape Case |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/16/inside-the-nate-parker-rape-case.html |access-date=August 19, 2016 |work=The Daily Beast}}{{cite news |title=Defendant's Exhibit - Call Excerpt |url=https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/callexcerpt-wm.pdf |access-date=August 19, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |date=October 6, 2016 |title='Birth of a Nation' Scandal: Timeline of Nate Parker's Case |url=https://www.thewrap.com/birth-of-a-nation-nate-parker-rape-scandal-timeline/?mode=3 |access-date=December 12, 2016 |website=The Wrap}} She also stated that the two harassed her after she pressed charges and that they hired a private investigator who showed her picture around campus, revealing her identity, which Parker and Celestin denied.{{cite news |date=November 22, 2011 |title=Women's Rights Group Filed Rape Lawsuit Against Penn State In '02 |url=http://www.wtae.com/Women-s-Rights-Group-Filed-Rape-Lawsuit-Against-Penn-State-In-02/7705896 |access-date=August 17, 2016 |work=WTAE-TV}} Parker and Celestin were charged with rape soon after the incident.{{cite web |date=October 3, 2016 |title=A Timeline of the Nate Parker Rape Scandal, and the Damage Control That Has Followed |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/08/timeline-of-the-nate-parker-rape-scandal.html |access-date=April 14, 2020 |website=Vulture}} Parker was acquitted but Celestin was initially convicted of sexual assault and received a six-month to one-year prison sentence in 2001,{{cite web |date=October 5, 2001 |title=Commonwealth vs. Nathaniel E. Parker (No. 1999-2185): Verdict |url=https://issuu.com/pmcderek/docs/verdict |access-date=August 19, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite news |last1=Schogol |first1=Marc |date=November 29, 2001 |title=Penn State will let rapist graduate Jean Celestin was convicted of assaulting a female student. He will get a diploma pending an inquiry. |url=http://articles.philly.com/2001-11-29/news/25322001_1_graduation-ceremonies-diploma-bill-mahon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915112911/http://articles.philly.com/2001-11-29/news/25322001_1_graduation-ceremonies-diploma-bill-mahon |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |access-date=August 17, 2016 |work=Philadelphia Media Network}} later raised to two to four years per state sentencing guidelines.{{cite news |last1=Parcels |first1=Shaun |date=March 30, 2004 |title=Former wrestler to serve jail time |url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_b7c8e262-66f4-5e32-b00f-f184a9ed0da2.html |access-date=August 19, 2016 |work=The Daily Collegian |publisher=Pennsylvania State University}} His conviction was later overturned on appeal.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Penn State Alumni Pen Open Letter in Support of Nate Parker |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nate-parkers-classmates-release-statement-922851 |access-date=2020-04-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}}

The accuser dropped out of Penn State the following year, in 2000.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Nate |last2=Bashein |first2=Rachel |date=October 3, 2016 |title=A Timeline of the Nate Parker Rape Scandal, and the Damage Control That Has Followed |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/08/timeline-of-the-nate-parker-rape-scandal.html |access-date=23 December 2022 |work=Vulture |language=en-us}} She later filed a complaint against the university for failing to protect her from harassment, which was settled with Penn State for $17,500 in 2002.{{cite news |last1=Walbert |first1=Mike |date=December 5, 2002 |title=PSU settles lawsuit with assault victim |url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_cbf4f645-1510-58ed-97a0-0a5fc23d4532.html |access-date=23 December 2022 |work=The Daily Collegian |publisher=Penn State University |language=en}}

Parker was initially suspended from Penn State's wrestling team, before being reinstated in 2000 while facing trial. Within weeks, a female student worker accused him of exposing himself to her. The student did not go to the police and Penn State dropped the matter.{{cite news |last1=Kovalesky |first1=Jacqueline |last2=Williams |first2=Serge |date=October 28, 2016 |title=Nate Parker's Past Surfaces in Prosecutors' Investigation of Penn State |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/movies/nate-parkers-past-surfaces-in-prosecutors-investigation-of-penn-state.html |access-date=October 28, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite web |date=October 28, 2016 |title=Nate Parker Accused of Indecent Exposure in Unearthed College Record |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nate-parker-accused-indecent-exposure-unearthed-college-record-941953 |access-date=October 28, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} After the trial, Parker transferred to and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2002, where he was on the wrestling team and received a degree in management science and information systems.{{cite news |last1=Rajotte |first1=Chris |date=March 26, 2002 |title=Billman and Parker leave championships pleased |url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_9d2cc69a-d766-5f57-8ebe-ea55992ba741.html |access-date=August 19, 2016 |work=The Daily Collegian |publisher=Pennsylvania State University}}

In 2012, the 1999 rape accuser died by suicide.{{cite web |last=Setoodeh |first=Ramin |date=August 16, 2016 |title=Nate Parker's Rape Accuser Committed Suicide in 2012: Her Brother Speaks Out (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/nate-parkers-accuser-committed-suicide-in-2012-her-brother-speaks-out-exclusive-1201838508/ |access-date=June 9, 2024 |website=Variety}}

Nate Parker is the author of the book Birth of a Nation: Nat Turner and the Making of a Movement in which he writes about the resistance against oppression. The first half of his book is about Nat Turner's slave rebellion in the 19th century, and the other half explores the historical context of his rebellion and how it is relevant to modern events and discourse. The book was later adapted into a motion picture, The Birth of a Nation, which was also the directorial debut of Parker.{{Cite journal|last=Letort|first=Delphine|date=2018-08-27|title=The Birth of a Nation (Nate Parker, 2016): The Tale of Nat Turner's Rebellion|url=https://journals.openedition.org/transatlantica/12096|journal=Transatlantica. Revue d'études américaines. American Studies Journal|language=en|issue=1|doi=10.4000/transatlantica.12096|s2cid=204710099|issn=1765-2766|doi-access=free}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{IMDb name|1676649|Nate Parker}}
• {{Twitter}}
• [http://www.nateparkerfoundation.org/ Nate Parker Foundation]

{{good article}}

{{Nate Parker}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, Nate}}

Category:1979 births

Category:21st-century African-American male actors

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:African-American Christians

Category:American computer programmers

Category:American film producers

Category:American male film actors

Category:Screenwriters from Virginia

Category:American male sport wrestlers

Category:American people of Cameroonian descent

Category:Film directors from Virginia

Category:Living people

Category:Pennsylvania State University alumni

Category:People acquitted of rape

Category:Male actors from Norfolk, Virginia

Category:University of Oklahoma alumni

Category:Writers from Norfolk, Virginia

Category:21st-century African-American male singers

Category:21st-century American male singers

Category:Campus sexual assault