Michael McQuarn
Michael George McQuarn (born May 15, 1969) is an American writer, producer and director of television, film and commercials. McQuarn is the CEO of Cool Kids Entertainment, which is a production company which focuses on television, film and commercial production. McQuarn also served as a music supervisor on over 45 film and television projects before focusing all of his attention on writing, directing and producing. In 2001, McQuarn won an American Music Award for Best Soundtrack for the film Save the Last Dance,[1] which sold over 3 million albums worldwide.
Michael McQuarn | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael George McQuarn May 15, 1969 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Screenwriter, director, television, film producer, Music producer, Music supervisor, 2020 PPP Loan Fraud Charges and Arrest |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Children | Skylar Ari McQuarn |
Biography
McQuarn was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended UCLA , where he was a film major. He left college at the age of 20 to work at Warner Brothers Studios as a story analyst. McQuarn used this opportunity at Warner Brothers to hone his skills as a writer and went on to sell his first studio screenplay by the age of 21. McQuarn and his sister Tracey Edmonds started Yab Yum, which was a highly successful record label and music publishing company distributed through 550 Music. McQuarn was responsible for launching the career of multi platinum recording artist and producer, Jon B,[2] which McQuarn served as executive producer to his 3 albums under Yab Yum, which garnered two multi platinum albums and one gold.
McQuarn's entry into film was as the co-producer to the film Soul Food, which went on to earn over 45 million at the box office and won four NAACP Awards.[3] McQuarn then produced the cult film entitled Punks,[4] which was entered into the 2000 Sundance Film Festival [5] and was also nominated for the coveted Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award [6] at the 2001 Independent Spirit Awards.
McQuarn has produced and directed over 300 hours of television content on such networks as NBCUniversal, A+E Networks, MTV, BET, TV One (US TV network) with new shows in development at Discovery Channel and Fuse (TV channel).
McQuarn is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in 2017 and received radical treatment in Vienna Austria, which has helped to control the aggression of the cancer.
McQuarn is currently producing and starring in a podcast entitled The Antidote.
McQuarn resides between Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX.
Fraud Arrest 2020
According to the US Department of Justice, in 2020, federal authorities arrested Michael George McQuarn, 51 of Austin, for allegedly defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program of more than $2 million in June 2020 . The release on justice.gov (dated June 18, 020) states that McQuarn has been charged with "wire fraud and making false statements to the SBA." The complaint alleges that "beginning in April 2020, McQuarn implemented a scheme whereby he submitted fraudulent applications and supporting paperwork of two fictitious companies he created—Vantastic Voyages, LLC and Happy Days Movers, LLC—to secure SBA-backed PPP loans." The complaint and release further state "McQuarn claimed the funds were for legitimate business purposes when, in fact, the money was used for his own personal use, including purchasing a 26’ Pavati Wake Boat and a Rolls Royce."
Filmography
Producer
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Soul Food (film) | Co-Producer |
| 2001 | Punks (film) | Producer |
| 2007 | Who's Your Caddy | Co-Producer |
Television
Producer
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | Master of the Mix | Executive producer, Director | Season 1&2 |
| 2011 | Beauties and the Boss | Executive producer/Director | Season 1 |
| 2009 | First In | Executive Producer/Director | Season 1 |
| 2009 | Black Poker Stars Invitational | Executive Producer/Director | Season 1 |
| 2004-2007 | "College Hill" | Executive Producer | Season 1-6 |
| 2007 | "Stage Black" | Executive Producer/ Director | Season 1 |
| 2006 | "DMX: Soul of a Man" | Executive Producer / Director | Season 1 |
| 2006 | "Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown" | Executive Producer / Director | Season 1 |
References
- http://awardsandwinners.com/category/american-music-awards/american-music-award-for-favorite-soundtrack/
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jon-b-mn0000258741
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=soulfood.htm
- https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=punks.htm
- http://history.sundance.org/films/2459/punks
- http://www.fandango.com/punks_37438/awards
- "Austin man arrested for allegedly defrauding small business loan program amid COVID-19 pandemic" (PPP Loan Fraud). KVUE-ABC. June 20, 2020.
8. https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/austin-man-arrested-for-allegedly-defrauding-sba-out-of-millions
