Donald Glover and Danny Glover are two of the most successful and versatile actors in Hollywood, but are they related by blood? This question has been asked by many fans and media outlets over the years, especially after Donald Glover rose to fame as a rapper, comedian, writer, and producer. The answer, however, is no. Despite sharing the same last name and both being born in California, Donald Glover and Danny Glover have no familial ties whatsoever. Here is what we know about their backgrounds and careers.
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Who is Donald Glover?
Donald Glover, also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, is a multi-talented artist who has won multiple awards for his work in music, television, and film. He was born on September 25, 1983, in Edwards Air Force Base, California, to Donald Glover Sr., a postal worker, and Beverly Smith, a daycare provider. He grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he attended DeKalb School of the Arts. He later graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in dramatic writing.
Donald Glover started his career as a writer for the NBC comedy series 30 Rock, where he also made occasional appearances as an actor. He then became a regular cast member on the cult sitcom Community, where he played Troy Barnes, a former high school football star turned college student. He also created and starred in the critically acclaimed FX series Atlanta, which follows the lives of two cousins trying to make it in the rap scene. For his role as Earnest “Earn” Marks, a college dropout and aspiring music manager, he won two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
As a rapper and singer, Donald Glover performs under the name Childish Gambino, which he got from a Wu-Tang Clan name generator. He has released four studio albums, including Awaken, My Love!, which was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. His single “This Is America” won four Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. He also collaborated with Beyoncé on the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” for the 2019 remake of The Lion King, in which he voiced Simba.
As a film actor, Donald Glover has appeared in several blockbuster movies, such as The Martian, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Guava Island. He also voiced Miles Morales in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He is set to star in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Who is Danny Glover?
Danny Glover is a veteran actor and activist who has been in the industry for over four decades. He was born on July 22, 1946, in San Francisco, California, to Carrie Hunley and James Glover, who were both postal workers and civil rights activists. He attended San Francisco State University, where he was involved in the Black Students Union and participated in the 1968 student strike. He later trained at the Black Actors’ Workshop of the American Conservatory Theater.
Danny Glover made his film debut in Escape from Alcatraz in 1979 and went on to star in several movies that tackled social issues, such as Places in the Heart, The Color Purple, Witness, Mandela, To Sleep with Anger, and Beloved. He is best known for his role as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon franchise, opposite Mel Gibson. He also voiced Mufasa in The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride and Barbatus in Antz.
As an activist, Danny Glover has been involved in various causes related to human rights, labor rights, environmental justice, and education. He is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and a board member of TransAfrica Forum. He has also supported political candidates such as Bernie Sanders and Hugo Chávez.
Why Do People Think They Are Related?
The rumor that Donald Glover and Danny Glover are related may have originated from their shared last name and similar professions. Some people may have also assumed that they are father and son based on their age difference of 37 years. However, Donald Glover has made it clear in his music that he has no connection to Danny Glover. In his song “Bonfire”, he raps: “I’m not related to these ns / I mean these ns / I mean these n****s / I mean Danny Glover”. In another song called “Hero”, he says: “I’m not your father / I’m just a big fan / Of Danny Glover”.
Donald Glover has also addressed the rumor in interviews and comedy sketches. In 2016, he told Parade magazine that he is not related to Danny Glover. In 2018, he hosted Saturday Night Live and joked about being mistaken for Danny Glover’s son. He also appeared in a sketch with Keegan-Michael Key, where they played two security guards who were obsessed with Lethal Weapon and confused Donald Glover for Danny Glover’s son.
Conclusion
Donald Glover and Danny Glover are not related by blood or by marriage. They are two separate individuals who happen to have the same last name and work in the same industry. They have never met or worked together, and they have different backgrounds and careers. They are both talented and successful in their own right, and they deserve to be recognized for their own achievements. According to Heightline, they are not related in any way.
