Brad Falchuk

Brad Falchuk is an American television writer, producer, and director, best known for his prolific creative partnership with Ryan Murphy. He has co-created, written, and produced several major television series, including the groundbreaking musical drama Glee, the horror anthology American Horror Story, and the procedural drama 9-1-1. His work, often characterized by its blend of genre elements and emotional storytelling, has earned him multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a dedicated global audience.

Early life and education

Born in Newton, Massachusetts, he is the son of a schoolteacher and a IBM executive. He attended Beaver Country Day School before pursuing higher education at American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled in the graduate film program at New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts. His early career aspirations were influenced by a passion for storytelling and film, leading him to relocate to Los Angeles to break into the entertainment industry.

Career

His professional breakthrough came when he joined the writing staff of the The WB series Grounded for Life. His career trajectory changed dramatically after meeting producer Ryan Murphy while both were working on the FX series Nip/Tuck, where he served as a writer and co-executive producer. This collaboration blossomed into a defining partnership, leading to the co-creation of the globally successful Fox series Glee in 2009. The show, a critical and commercial hit, won multiple Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Following this success, he and Murphy co-created the FX anthology series American Horror Story in 2011, which became a cultural phenomenon and earned numerous Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. He later served as showrunner for the Fox drama Scream Queens and co-created the hit emergency responder dramas 9-1-1 for Fox and its spin-off 9-1-1: Lone Star. In 2020, he launched his own production company, FXP, and created the Netflix series The Politician, further expanding his repertoire within the Ryan Murphy Television umbrella.

Personal life

He was previously married to actress Suzanne Bukinik; the couple had two children before divorcing in 2013. In 2018, he married actress and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow in a ceremony in The Hamptons; they have one child together. The family divides their time between Los Angeles and New York City. He has been open about his use of therapy and has incorporated themes of mental health into his work. He is also a practicing Buddhist and has studied under spiritual teacher George Mumford.

Filmography

A selected list of television series he has co-created, written, or produced includes: * Grounded for Life (2001–2005) – Writer * Nip/Tuck (2003–2010) – Writer, Co-Executive Producer * Glee (2009–2015) – Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, Director * American Horror Story (2011–present) – Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, Director * Scream Queens (2015–2016) – Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer * 9-1-1 (2018–present) – Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer * The Politician (2019–2020) – Creator, Writer, Executive Producer * 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–present) – Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer * American Horror Stories (2021–present) – Co-Creator, Executive Producer

Awards and nominations

Throughout his career, he has received significant recognition from major award bodies. He has been nominated for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series for Glee and Outstanding Limited Series for American Horror Story. His work on Glee also earned him nominations from the Producers Guild of America Award and the Writers Guild of America Award. He won a Satellite Award for Best Television Series for Glee and has received several GLAAD Media Awards for the show's inclusive representation. The Hollywood Critics Association and the Critics' Choice Television Award have also recognized his contributions to television.

Category:American television writers Category:American television producers Category:American television directors Category:1971 births Category:Living people