Professional tennis player and namesake of one of the most iconic sneakers, Stan Smith is the subject of the new documentary Who Is Stan Smith?

Chronicling his rise from collegiate superstar to World No.1 and beyond, and complete with intimate first-person accounts and dynamic archival materials, Who Is Stan Smith? is a powerful and inspiring portrait of the man behind the shoe that became a movement.

The film features extensive interviews with Stan Smith, his family, and many of the world’s most famous athletes and celebrities including John McEnroe, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and Donald Dell.

Release Date

Directed by Danny Lee, Who Is Stan Smith? will begin its US run with red carpet premieres at Los Angeles’ Nuart Theater on May 3 and New York City’s Angelika Film Center on May 10, bringing the film to 50 markets throughout the month of May following Los Angeles and New York, including Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, San Diego, Honolulu, Arlington, San Francisco, Newport, Columbus, St. Louis, Scottsdale, Cambridge, Indianapolis, Annapolis, Eugene, Frankfort, Royal Oak, Canton, Hartford, Novi, Plymouth, Hilton Head Island, and many more.

Synopsis

The film tells the story of the groundbreaking athlete who went from being one of the world’s greatest tennis stars, to a leading civil rights and AIDS activist, blazing a trail along the way with his namesake Adidas sneakers – the iconic shoe that has become a fashion statement for hip hop musicians and celebrities for more than 50 years.

Who Is Stan Smith? highlights Smith’s tennis accomplishments and covers his humanitarian feats off the tennis court and how Smith’s relationship with Arthur Ashe heavily inspired his anti-racist activism, followed by his relationship with Black tennis player, Mark Mathabane, whom Smith helped escape from apartheid in South Africa.

The film is executive produced by LeBron James (Hustle, Space Jam: A New Legacy), Maverick Carter (Hustle, Space Jam: A New Legacy), Jamal Henderson (Hustle, Space Jam: A New Legacy),Alexandra Dell (Arthur Ashe, Lace Up: The Ultimate Sneaker Challenge), and Donald Dell (Tennis Our Way, Citizen Ashe),and directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Danny Lee (30 for 30: Friedman’s Shoes, The Express Way, and Hulu’s Defining Moments).

“It was a privilege to tell Stan’s story alongside such incredible partners at Uninterrupted. Stan’s story proves that in the end, it’s not the merit of your accomplishments that matter as much of the merit of your character. That’s the ultimate legacy.” shares filmmaker Danny Lee.

Official Trailer

Watch the official trailer for Who Is Stan Smith?