James L. Brooks
Also Known As: not available
Biography: James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American director, producer, screenwriter and co-founder of Gracie Films. He co-created the sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, and The Simpsons and directed the films Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), and As Good as It Gets (1997). He received numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, 22 Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. Brooks started his career as an usher at CBS, going on to write for the CBS News broadcasts. He moved to Los Angeles in 1965 to work on David L. Wolper's documentaries. He wrote for My Mother the Car and My Friend Tony and created the series Room 222. Grant Tinker hired Brooks and producer Allan Burns at MTM Productions to create The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970. Brooks and Burns then created two successful spin-offs from Mary Tyler Moore: Rhoda (a comedy) and Lou Grant (a drama). Brooks left MTM Productions in 1978 to co-create the sitcom Taxi (1978-1983). Brooks moved into feature film work when he wrote and co-produced the 1979 film Starting Over. His next project was the critically acclaimed film Terms of Endearment, which he produced, directed and wrote, winning an Academy Award for all three roles. He earned acclaim for his films Broadcast News (1987) and As Good as It Gets (1997). He received mixed reviews for I'll Do Anything (1994), Spanglish (2004), and How Do You Know (2010). Brooks also produced Cameron Crowe's Say Anything... (1989) and Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket (1996). In 1986, Brooks founded Gracie Films, a television and film company. Although he did not intend to do so, Brooks returned to television in 1987 as the producer of The Tracey Ullman Show. He hired cartoonist Matt Groening to create a series of shorts for the show, which led in 1989 to The Simpsons. The Simpsons won numerous awards and is still running after over 35 years. Brooks also co-produced and co-wrote the 2007 film adaptation of the show, The Simpsons Movie. Brooks has received 53 Emmy nominations, winning 21 of them. Description above from the Wikipedia article James L. Brooks, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Department: Production
Place of Birth: North Bergen, New Jersey, USA
Adult: No
Birthday: May 09, 1940
Age: 85 years old
Gender: Male
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Known For:
Being Mary Tyler Moore
Overview: With unprecedented access to the Mary Tyler Moore Estate, friends, family, and colleagues, Being Mary Tyler Moore constructs an intimate mosaic of Mary's sixty-year career in show business.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-03-13
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Thank You Very Much
Overview: Andy Kaufman's provocative comedy often outraged audiences, challenging them to confront their own presumptions. Through never-before-seen footage and intimate recollections, filmmaker Alex Braverman explores Kaufman’s brief but impactful life and career. As the lines between performance and reality blur in our present age, Kaufman’s genius resonates more than ever.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2025-03-28
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Albert Brooks: Defending My Life
Overview: Rob Reiner profiles Albert Brooks, comedic legend, acclaimed filmmaker, talented character actor and a lifelong friend, who Reiner first met in their high school drama club.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-11-12
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Misery Loves Comedy
Overview: Do you have to be miserable to be funny? More than sixty comedians—including stand-ups, writers, actors, and directors from the US, Canada, and abroad—take on this question, sharing anecdotes and insights with lively enthusiasm.
Genres: Comedy Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2015-01-23
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Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel
Overview: An in-depth look of the 40 year journey, from post-war Germany to Hollywood royalty, of Hans Zimmer, the man who’s become the dominant force in the world of movie soundtracks. His film credits include The Lion King, Rain Man, Pirates of The Caribbean, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, 12 Year A Slave, The Thin Red Line, The Da Vinci Code and Dune.
Genres: Documentary Music TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-10-16
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James L. Brooks: A Singular Voice
Overview: A retrospective documentary on Brooks's career in television and film, featuring actresses Marilu Henner and Julie Kavner, among other collaborators.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2011-01-25
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Lost in America
Overview: David and Linda Howard are successful yuppies from LA. When he gets a job disappointment, David convinces Linda that they should quit their jobs, liquidate their assets, and emulate the movie Easy Rider, spending the rest of their lives traveling around America...in a Winnebago.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-02-08
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Modern Romance
Overview: A film editor breaks up with his girlfriend, unsure if he is in love.
Genres: Comedy Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-03-13
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Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood
Overview: Documentary about Hans Zimmer.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: de
Release Date: 2011-03-14
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Harry Benson: Shoot First
Overview: What we know today about many famous musicians, politicians, and actresses is due to the famous work of photographer Harry Benson. He captured vibrant and intimate photos of the most famous band in history;The Beatles. His extensive portfolio grew to include iconic photos of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson, and Dr. Martin Luther King. His wide-ranging work has appeared in publications including Life, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. Benson, now 86, is still taking photos and has no intentions of stopping.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-11-04
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Disney Legends Awards Ceremony
Overview: Since 1987, the Disney Legends Awards program has honored individuals for the significant impact they've had on the Disney legacy. See the 2024 honorees become Disney Legends.
Genres: TV Movie Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-08-12
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Real Life
Overview: A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let him and his crew film their everyday lives, in the manner of the ground-breaking PBS series "An American Family".
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-03-02
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Mike Nichols: An American Master
Overview: With charm and wit, Nichols discusses his life and 50-year career as a performer and director.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-01-29
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Dreams on Spec
Overview: "Dreams on Spec" takes an intimate look at how far people will go - and how much they will sacrifice - for the chance to pursue their dreams. This feature-length documentary delves into the lives of three aspiring Hollywood screenwriters as they pour their hearts into their spec scripts, pitch their ideas to anyone who will listen, go to meetings, hold table reads, and work at low-level day-jobs - all in the hopes of one day seeing one of their beloved creations made into a movie. These poignant portraits are intercut with wisdom from a "Greek Chorus" of superstar Hollywood creative-types like James L. Brooks, Nora Ephron, Gary Ross, and Carrie Fisher to forge a funny and compelling look at inspiration, creativity, and solitude in the movie industry.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-03-23
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The Making of 'Bottle Rocket'
Overview: Interviews with individuals involved in the making of Wes Anderson's 1996 film "Bottle Rocket."
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-12-16
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Alan Pakula: Going for Truth
Overview: "Alan Pakula: Going for Truth" encompasses the personal and professional life of Alan J. Pakula, a lauded filmmaker and extremely private man, who was unflinching in his commitment to bringing some of the most memorable movies of the last half of the 20th century to the big screen.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-10-12
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The Process
Overview: The Process, a documentary film that takes the audience for an inside, behind the scenes look of world renowned acting and directing coach, Larry Moss. The film follows Moss working with a young director and his actors, through a rehearsal process that will elicit a richer comedic performance by exploring the subtext of gifted comedic writers. The film also features Academy Award Winner James L. Brooks and USC Cinematic Arts Professor, Barnet Kellman, and a special clip with Tracey Ullman and Mel Brooks from The Tracey Ullman Show.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
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Audience Research
Overview: Albert Brooks goes to a research institute to find out why people don't like him and how he can change that. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 9
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-01-10
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The Simpsons: America's First Family
Overview: The Simpsons: America's First Family is a 50 minute program which features the production of The Simpsons, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the series.
Genres: Documentary Animation TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-07-23
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Jack Nicholson: The Joker Is Wild
Overview: The life and times of famous Jack Nicholson include his 30-years relationship with Anjelica Houston and find out his sister is his real mother.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-08-29
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The Director's Vision: Hollywood's Best Discuss Their Craft
Overview: The nominees for the 1998 Oscar for Best Director — Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, James L. Brooks, Gus Van Sant and Curtis Hanson — discuss their craft in this panel organized by the DGA and moderated by director Jeremy Kagan.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-01-01
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