Lee Daniels

Director Lee Daniels is the second African-American to be nominated for a Best Director award at the Oscars for his work on "Precious." Daniels also worked as the producer on the film.

Director Lee Daniels, an Academy Award nominee for Best Director for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," poses with cast member Gabourey Sidibe, a nominee for Best Actress, at the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

Lee Daniels, here with his niece and nephew, created his own production company, Lee Daniels Entertainment. It's first film was "Monster's Ball," which met critical acclaim and earned lead actress Halle Berry her first Oscar. Films "Shadowboxer" and "The Woodsman" have also been released through the company.

Director Lee Daniels arrives for the premiere of his movie "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," at AFI Fest 2009 in Los Angeles, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. "Precious" is nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From left, the author Sapphire, director Lee Daniels and actress Paula Patton attend a special screening of "Precious" hosted by The Cinema Society and Lionsgate on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 in New York. Sapphire wrote the book that inspired the movie, and Patton has a leading role in the film.

Director Lee Daniels is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for his film, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."