James L. Brooks

Known For

Production

Born

May 09, 1940

Place of Birth

North Bergen, New Jersey, USA

Credits

88 titles

James L. Brooks

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.

Known For

Filmography

2027

The Simpsons Movie 2

Producer

Movie
2026

Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition

Executive Producer

Movie
2025

Ella McCay

Director

Movie
2025

Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words

Self

Movie
2025

Thank You Very Much

Self

Movie
2024

The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful

Producer

Movie
2024

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Producer

Movie
2024

Disney Legends Awards Ceremony

Self

Movie
2024

May the 12th Be with You

Producer

Movie
2023

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

Self

Movie
2023

Maggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One"

Producer

Movie
2023

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Producer

Movie
2023

Being Mary Tyler Moore

Self (voice)

Movie
2022

Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel

Self

Movie
2022

Welcome to the Club

Producer

Movie
2022

When Billie Met Lisa

Producer

Movie
2021

The Simpsons in Plusaversary

Producer

Movie
2021

The Simpsons: A Serious Flanders

Writer

Movie
2021

The Simpsons | Balenciaga

Producer

Movie
2021

The Good, the Bart, and the Loki

Producer

Movie
2021

Maggie Simpson in "The Force Awakens from Its Nap"

Producer

Movie
2020

Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny"

Writer

Movie
2019

Alan Pakula: Going for Truth

Self

Movie
2018

Icebox

Producer

Movie
2018

The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling

Self

Tv
2016

The Edge of Seventeen

Producer

Movie
2016

Harry Benson: Shoot First

Self

Movie
2016

Mike Nichols: An American Master

Self

Movie
2015

Misery Loves Comedy

Self

Movie
2014

Ride

Thanks

Movie
2012

Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"

Writer

Movie
2011

50/50

Thanks

Movie
2011

Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood

Self

Movie
2011

James L. Brooks: A Singular Voice

Self (archive footage)

Movie
2010

How Do You Know

Director

Movie
2010

The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special - In 3D! On Ice!

Self

Movie
2008

The Making of 'Bottle Rocket'

Self

Movie
2007

A Terrifying Message from Al Gore

Thanks

Movie
2007

The Simpsons Movie

Screenplay

Movie
2007

Dreams on Spec

Self

Movie
2004

Spanglish

Director

Movie
2004

Jack Nicholson: The Joker Is Wild

Self

Movie
2003

The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror

Writer

Movie
2001

Riding in Cars with Boys

Producer

Movie
2001

What About Joan?

Producer

Tv
2000

The Simpsons: America's First Family

Self

Movie
1999

The Simpsons: Too Hot For TV

Scenario Writer

Movie
1998

The Director's Vision: Hollywood's Best Discuss Their Craft

himself

Movie
1997

As Good as It Gets

Director

Movie
1996

Jerry Maguire

Producer

Movie