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JEFF CLANAGAN
CEO/President
Twenty-year veteran of the industry, Jeff Clanagan is a television and film producer at the forefront of the comedy business.
Clanagan has produced a hit slate of standup comedy specials which have premiered on networks such as HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central,
and BET and have thrived in the DVD marketplace.
Jeff Clanagan began his career in entertainment as one of the foremost concert promoters in the music business.
Jeff promoted sold-out national concert tours featuring high-profile R&B and hip-hop artists such as Run DMC, LL COOL J, Will Smith,
MC Hammer, The Isley Brothers and Luther Vandross.
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Clanagan entered into the world of film television and distribution as president of No Limit Films, rapper/entrepreneur
Master P’s groundbreaking film and video company. Clanagan cultivated and nurtured the upstart entity into a $40 million multimedia company.
While there, Clanagan produced a slate of profitable independent films such as Foolish which generated 6 million dollars in limited theatrical
release and Lockdown which premiered on HBO. Due to Clanagan’s efforts and direction, No Limit Films is recognized as being the pioneer of
the urban home video sell-thru market.
Clanagan left No Limit Films to become president of Mandalay Urban Entertainment, a division of Peter Guber’s Mandalay Sports & Entertainment.
During his tenure at Mandalay, he executive produced three telefilms for BET Television, while also producing the official Sundance Film Festival
selection Civil Brand for Lionsgate. Civil Brand subsequently won numerous awards at prestigious film festivals around the country including
the American Black Film Festival, the Urban World Film Festival and the Pan-African Film Festival.
Clanagan then went on to create and executive produce the syndicated magazine television show Livin’ Large. Hosted by TV stars Carmen Elektra and
Kadeem Hardison, Livin’ Large ran from 2002–2004 and was syndicated nationally through Carsey-Werner Distribution.
In May 2001, Clanagan created UrbanWorks Entertainment, where he served as president and CEO and oversaw the company’s strategic direction,
including development, acquisitions and distribution. While at Urbanworks, Clanagan was responsible for acquiring and launching the
legendary “And 1 Mixtape” series, “The Cosby Show,” “Fat Albert,” BET Television Movies, and HBO’s famous “Def Comedy Jam” series,
which featured rising, top-notch comedians Bernie Mac, Martin Lawrence and Chris Tucker. In addition to the extensive list of chart-topping
titles amassed under his guidance, Clanagan created and launched the “Platinum Comedy Series,” which featured stand-up performances from
notable comedians such as Steve Harvey, Dave Chappelle and Cedric the Entertainer. Clanagan established UrbanWorks as a recognizable force in
the marketplace and the leading distributor of urban home entertainment.
After leaving UrbanWorks Entertainment in May of 2005, Clanagan founded CodeBlack Enterprises, LLC in 2005, a driving force in motion pictures,
television, home entertainment and new media. National theatrical releases from Codeblack include Shadowboxer (the directorial debut of Lee
Daniels, who would subsequently direct “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”), Constellation, and Steve Harvey’s stand-up comedy
film Don’t Trip, I’m Preaching to the Choir.
Clanagan brought his affinity for standup comedy specials to Codeblack and launched the “Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam
franchise.” The specials, which have all premiered on Showtime, include comedy’s hottest acts with headliners such as D.L. Hughley,
Cedric the Entertainer, and Kevin Hart. The third installment of the franchise with host and Academy Award-winner Mo’Nique was filmed at
the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas. In addition, Clanagan has partnered up with Bishop T.D. Jakes and independently produced 8 episodes
of a new sitcom entitled “One Love” featuring Sherman Hemsley and Sheryl lee Ralph.
Clanagan also executive-produced the Codeblack documentary Why We Laugh, a critically-acclaimed examination of the cultural influence of
black comedy, including interviews with prominent scholars, politicians, cultural critics, and a host of notable comics such as Bill Cosby,
Chris Rock, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Steve Harvey, and Katt Williams. The film premiered at Sundance in 2009 and was acquired for television
by Showtime.
Clanagan has been behind the release of over 150 DVDs into the market placing generating over $150 million dollars in revenues.
Clanagan has recently been recognized as one of Black Enterprise’s Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers, Ebony Magazine Power 150,and has been
profiled in The NY Times, GQ Magazine, Vibe Magazine and The L.A. Times.
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