James L. Brooks

Born: 1940-05-09

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.


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Lost in America

as Party Guest (uncredited)
Released: 1985-02-08

David and Linda Howard are successful yuppies from LA. When he gets a job disappointment, David...

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Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

as Self
Released: 2023-11-12

Rob Reiner profiles Albert Brooks, comedic legend, acclaimed filmmaker, talented character actor...

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Real Life

as Driving Evaluator
Released: 1979-03-02

A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let him and his crew film their...

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Misery Loves Comedy

as Self
Released: 2015-01-23

Do you have to be miserable to be funny? More than sixty comedians—including stand-ups, writers,...

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Modern Romance

as David
Released: 1981-03-13

A film editor breaks up with his girlfriend, unsure if he is in love.

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Alan Pakula: Going for Truth

as Self
Released: 2019-10-12

"Alan Pakula: Going for Truth" encompasses the personal and professional life of Alan J. Pakula,...

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Mike Nichols: An American Master

as Self
Released: 2016-01-29

With charm and wit, Nichols discusses his life and 50-year career as a performer and director.

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Harry Benson: Shoot First

as Self
Released: 2016-11-04

What we know today about many famous musicians, politicians, and actresses is due to the famous...

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Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel

as Self
Released: 2022-10-16

An in-depth look of the 40 year journey, from post-war Germany to Hollywood royalty, of Hans...

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Thank You Very Much

as Self
Released: 2025-03-28

Trace the life and career of legendary performance artist Andy Kaufman and see a nuanced...

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Being Mary Tyler Moore

as Self (voice)
Released: 2023-03-13

With unprecedented access to the Mary Tyler Moore Estate, friends, family, and colleagues, Being...

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Dreams on Spec

as Self
Released: 2007-03-23

"Dreams on Spec" takes an intimate look at how far people will go - and how much they will...

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Disney Legends Awards Ceremony

as Self
Released: 2024-08-12

Since 1987, the Disney Legends Awards program has honored individuals for the significant impact...

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The Making of 'Bottle Rocket'

as Self
Released: 2008-12-16

Interviews with individuals involved in the making of Wes Anderson's 1996 film "Bottle Rocket."

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The Simpsons: America's First Family

as Self
Released: 2000-07-23

The Simpsons: America's First Family is a 50 minute program which features the production of The...

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Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood

as Self
Released: 2011-03-14

Documentary about Hans Zimmer.

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Audience Research

as Paul Reynold
Released: 1976-01-10

Albert Brooks goes to a research institute to find out why people don't like him and how he can...

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James L. Brooks: A Singular Voice

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2011-01-25

A retrospective documentary on Brooks's career in television and film, featuring actresses...

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The Simpsons

as James L. Brooks (voice)
First aired: 1989-12-17

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday...

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show

as Rabbi (uncredited)
First aired: 1970-09-19

30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic...

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Prisoners of Gravity

as Self
First aired: 1989-08-21

Prisoners of Gravity was a Canadian public broadcasting television news magazine program that...

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The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling

as Self
First aired: 2018-03-26

The story of legendary comedian Garry Shandling, featuring interviews from nearly four dozen...

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