Chris Carthern Interviews Rob Edwards about his current projects, Defiant (The story of Robert Smalls), Sneaks and King of Kings. We talk about his history as a writer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Captain America: A Brave New World at WonderCon.

Robert Edwards is a distinguished American screenwriter, producer, and director known for his extensive work in both television and film. Born on June 22, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan, Edwards pursued higher education at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, where he earned a degree in Transmedia. 

In the television industry, Edwards has contributed to several notable series, including “Full House,” “A Different World,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “In Living Color.” He also created the NBC sitcom “Out All Night,” which starred Patti LaBelle. 

Transitioning to feature films, Edwards wrote the screenplay for Disney’s “Treasure Planet” (2002), which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. He followed this success with “The Princess and the Frog” (2009), another critically acclaimed film that earned multiple award nominations.

Beyond his film work, Edwards co-wrote and co-produced the documentaries “Sumo East and West” and “The Last Laugh” with his wife, Ferne Pearlstein. He also authors “The King’s Necktie,” a blog focusing on political commentary.

Edwards’ career reflects a blend of creative storytelling and a deep understanding of both comedic and dramatic narratives, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and influential figure in the entertainment industry

I wanted the focus of the interview to be about Robert Smalls. Robert Smalls, born into slavery in 1839, was a Civil War hero and politician who famously commandeered a Confederate ship, the Planter, and sailed it to freedom, later becoming the first Black captain of a U.S. naval vessel. 
 

Comments are closed.