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Alex Kendrick

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Alex Kendrick
Kendrick in 2019
Born (1970-06-11) June 11, 1970 (age 54)
Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, film director, screenwriter, film producer, pastor, entrepreneur
Years active2003–present
Notable workWar Room, Fireproof, Facing the Giants, Courageous, Overcomer, Flywheel
SpouseChristina Kendrick
Children6
Relatives
  • Stephen Kendrick (brother)
  • Shannon Kendrick (brother)
  • Larry Kendrick (father)
  • Rhonwyn Kendrick (mother)
Websitekendrickbrothers.com

Alexander Kendrick (born June 11, 1970) is an American pastor, film writer, producer, director, and actor.[1] He is best known for directing and starring in notable faith-based films, including Facing The Giants, War Room, Overcomer, Courageous, and Fireproof. He is one of only two film directors (with Rob Reiner) to have three films receive an "A+" grade on CinemaScore.[2][3]

Films directed by Kendrick have collectively grossed over $190 million worldwide.[4]

Biography

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Alexander Kendrick was born in Athens, Georgia as the middle of three sons to Larry and Rhonwyn Kendrick. He grew up in Smyrna, GA. He studied at Kennesaw State University in communication and earned a Bachelor of Arts. Kendrick worked as a Christian DJ for two radio stations before attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and being ordained into the ministry. He served as a minister to college students in Marietta, Georgia for four years.[5]

From 1999 to 2014, Kendrick was an associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church, in Albany, Georgia.[6] In 2002, he founded Sherwood Pictures, a movie-creating entity, which produced Flywheel (2003), Facing the Giants (2006), Fireproof (2008), and Courageous (2011).[7]

He has co-authored several best-selling books with his brother Stephen, including The Love Dare, which appeared for 131 weeks on The New York Times Paperback Advice & Misc. Best Seller list.[8] His books The Resolution for Men and The Battle Plan for Prayer, again with his brother, also appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list.

In 2013, he founded Kendrick Brothers Productions with his brother Stephen.[9]

Kendrick's fifth film War Room was a box office number-one in its second weekend of release in the United States.[10]

On March 8, 2018, the Kendrick brothers announced via their website that their sixth movie, Overcomer, was in the works, and would unpack a pivotal issue that affects adults and students alike. Filming was begun in the summer of 2018, and the film was released by Sony Pictures on August 23, 2019.[11][12]

In late 2019, subsequent to Overcomer's release in August, Alex and Stephen Kendrick announced that they would be shooting their next film in the summer of 2020. It is to be based on a true story, and the Kendricks are to executive produce.[3]

Personal life

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Alex Kendrick married his wife, Christina, and moved to Albany, Georgia where he served as Associate Pastor of Media at Sherwood Baptist Church. Alex and his wife now have six children.[5][13]

Film career

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Upon reading a survey stating that films had become more influential than churches, Kendrick set out to change the perception of movies in mainstream America.[14] He co-wrote (with brother Stephen Kendrick), directed and acted in all four movies Sherwood Pictures has produced. Their second film, Facing the Giants, grossed over $10 million at the box office.[15] The football feature became the best-selling Christian DVD of 2007.[16] His third film, Fireproof, grossed $33.5 million,[17] making it the highest-grossing independent film of 2008.[18] The project went on to win Best Feature at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival,[19] as well as the Epiphany Prize at the Movieguide Awards in Los Angeles.[20] The fourth feature film by Sherwood Pictures, Courageous, distributed by TriStar, was released in theaters in September 2011 and grossed $34.5 million.[21] The film won Best Feature Film and the Jubilee Award at the 2012 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival[22] as well as the Epiphany Prize at the 2012 Movieguide Awards.[23] Courageous was also the first winner of the K-Love Movie Impact Award (presented in 2013) and winner of the first Dove Award for Movie of the Year (also presented in 2013). Kendrick also appeared in the 2013 film The Lost Medallion and the 2014 film Moms' Night Out.

The Kendrick brothers' fifth film, War Room, was released in theaters across the United States on August 28, 2015. It focuses on the transformational role that prayer can play in an individual's life. The cast includes New York Times best-selling author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer in her film debut, along with T.C. Stallings, Alex Kendrick, comedian Michael Jr., and Karen Abercrombie. It introduces newcomer Alena Pitts as Danielle and features a cameo by renowned Bible teacher and author Beth Moore in her first acting role. Provident Films and AFFIRM films partnered with the Kendrick brothers to release the film in theaters. Sony Pictures again handled distribution.[24]

Movie critic Phil Boatwright, a Baptist Press columnist, said of the Kendricks: "One gets the impression this is their ministry, while at the same time understanding the No. 1 rule of cinematic storytelling -- story must come first."[25] Movie reviewer Michael Foust said in a Baptist Press feature on the Kendricks: "They've been the Lewis and Clark of the genre. No, they weren't the first to make faith movies, but they did it better than anyone who came before -- and Hollywood noticed. They were trailblazers who made first-class movies on shoestring budgets." Foust added, "Even more impressive, the Kendricks have continued to improve on their craft. War Room was better than Courageous, which was better than Fireproof, which was better than Facing the Giants, which was better than Flywheel. Remember: War Room was the No. 1 movie at the box office in its second weekend in 2015. That's an accomplishment that many well-known Hollywood directors haven't achieved. The Kendricks also have been models of humility, giving all credit to God while working to help raise up the next generation of filmmakers."[25]

Filmography

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Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Actor Role Notes
2003 Flywheel Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jay Austin Also cinematographer, composer and executive producer
2006 Facing the Giants Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Grant Taylor Also composer
2008 Fireproof Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pastor Strauss
2011 Courageous Yes Yes No Yes Yes Adam Mitchell
2013 The Lost Medallion: The Adventures of Billy Stone No No No No Yes Daniel Also additional editor
2014 Moms' Night Out No No No No Yes Pastor Ray
2015 War Room Yes Yes No Yes Yes Coleman Young
Faith of Our Fathers No No No Yes No —
2018 Like Arrows No Yes Executive No Yes 42 year old Josh
2019 Overcomer Yes Yes No Yes Yes John Harrison
2021 Show Me the Father No No Executive No Yes Himself
2022 Lifemark No Yes Executive Yes Yes Shawn Cates
2024 The Forge Yes Yes No No No —

Book career

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In addition to filmmaking, Kendrick has co-written five novels from his films, the last four of which became bestsellers. The first three were written with his brother, Stephen, and novelist Eric Wilson. The fourth novel, Courageous, was written with Randy Alcorn. The fifth novel, for the film War Room, was written with Chris Fabry. The Love Dare made The New York Times Paperback Advice & Misc. bestseller list for 131 weeks,[26] reaching number one twice.[27] The Love Dare has sold over 6 million copies.[28] In October 2011, the novel for Courageous was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list, along with his book The Resolution for Men,[29] which was written with his brother, Stephen. In 2013, the brothers released The Love Dare for Parents, which became a CBA Best Seller. Kendrick reached the New York Times Best Seller List again in 2015 with his most recent book, The Battle Plan for Prayer, written with his brother.

Charts

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Awards and nominations

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Movieguide Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Courageous Most Inspiring Performance in Movies Won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kendrick & Kendrick". Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-07-03. From Idea to Impact: Turning Creative Ideas into Great Products
  2. ^ ""OVERCOMER" Delivers With Rare A+ CinemaScore And Estimated Third Place Box Office Standing". PRNewsire.com. August 24, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Michael Foust (November 6, 2019). "Kendrick Brothers Unveil Details of Next Film: 'It's Such an Inspirational Story'". Christian Headlines. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  4. ^ "Alex Kendrick – Box Office – The Numbers". The Numbers. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Overcomer – Cast and Crew". AMC. AMC.com. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  6. ^ Heyman, Jessie (October 5, 2011). "Hollywood Finds Jesus: Movie Industry Banks On Christian Crossover Films". HuffPost. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  7. ^ J. Ryan Parker, Cinema as Pulpit: Sherwood Pictures and the Church Film Movement, McFarland, U.S., 2012, p. 61
  8. ^ Bloom, Julie (8 October 2011). "Praying, Then Producing a Hit". New York Times. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  9. ^ Michael Foust, bpnews.net, Filmmaking Kendrick brothers, going in 'new direction,' launch indep. production company, U.S., April 19, 2013
  10. ^ Simanton, Keith (2015-09-06). "Weekend Report -'War Room' Walks to #1". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2015-09-06.
  11. ^ "Movie 6 is in the works!". 8 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Overcomer".
  13. ^ "Christians in Cinema: Alex Kendrick". ChristianCinema.com. November 20, 2006. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  14. ^ Miller, Donna (9 November 2006). "Facing the Giants in final week at Albany theater". The Citizen News. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  15. ^ "Facing the Giants movie info". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  16. ^ "Facing the Giants". Archived from the original on 2012-11-17. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  17. ^ Bloom, Julie (October 8, 2011). "Praying, Then Producing a Hit". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  18. ^ Milk Money Promotions. "Welcome To FireproofTheMovie.com – DVD Available NOW!". Archived from the original on 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  19. ^ "Christian Filmmakers Creating An Industry Of Faith". NPR.org. 21 February 2009.
  20. ^ Craig von Buseck. "Fireproof Wins Big at Movieguide Awards".
  21. ^ "Courageous movie info". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  22. ^ "San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival Announces 2009 Jubilee Award Winners – Christian Newswire" (Press release).
  23. ^ "Fireproof Wins Epiphany Prize". ChristianCinema.com. 12 February 2009.
  24. ^ "WAR ROOM Is Coming to Theaters August 28!". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  25. ^ a b Roach, Erin (5 March 2018). "'Flywheel' began Kendrick brothers' filmmaking ascent". www.bpnews.net. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  26. ^ "Best Sellers: Paperback Advice & Misc". The New York Times. January 29, 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  27. ^ Kimball, Josh (February 18, 2009). "'Love Dare' Regains Top Spot on NY Times Best Sellers List". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  28. ^ "Love Dare Goes Platinum". ChristianCinema.com. May 13, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  29. ^ "The Resolution for Men". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  30. ^ "'The Shack' tops Amazon.ca books list for the week ending Feb. 17". The Canadian Press. February 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2009.[dead link]
  31. ^ Kimball, Josh (February 18, 2009). "'Love Dare' Regains Top Spot on NY Times Best Sellers List". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
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