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Brian Grazer

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Brian Grazer
NameBrian Grazer
CaptionGrazer in 2011
Birth date12 July 1951
Birth placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationFilm and television producer, writer
Years active1978–present
SpouseCorki Corman (m. 1982; div. 1992), Gigi Levangie (m. 1997; div. 2007), Veronica Smiley (m. 2016)
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Known forCo-founder of Imagine Entertainment

Brian Grazer is an American film and television producer and screenwriter, renowned as the co-founder and chairman of Imagine Entertainment. Alongside his longtime creative partner Ron Howard, he has produced a vast array of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films and television series across multiple genres. His prolific career, marked by a distinctive curiosity-driven approach, has earned him an Academy Award, multiple Emmy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, he was raised by his mother after his parents divorced. He attended the University of Southern California, initially studying psychology before transferring to the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His early career began in the legal department at Warner Bros., where he worked on cases for filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola. This experience provided a foundational understanding of the Hollywood studio system and motivated his transition into creative production.

Career

His first major success came with the 1984 comedy *Splash*, which he developed and produced, marking the beginning of his historic partnership with director Ron Howard. Together, they founded Imagine Entertainment in 1986, establishing a powerhouse production company. Under the Imagine banner, he has produced a diverse and influential slate of films including *Apollo 13*, *A Beautiful Mind*, *8 Mile*, *The Da Vinci Code*, and *American Gangster*. In television, he has been instrumental in creating hit series such as *24*, *Arrested Development*, *Empire*, and *Genius*. His production philosophy often involves in-depth research and "curiosity conversations" with experts from various fields to inform his projects.

Personal life

He has been married three times, first to publicist Corki Corman, then to writer Gigi Levangie, and currently to former NBC journalist Veronica Smiley. He has four children, including director Sage Grazer. A prominent figure in Los Angeles social and philanthropic circles, he serves on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and is known for his extensive art collection. He has authored books on curiosity and creativity, including *A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life*.

Filmography

A selected list of his notable producing credits includes *Parenthood* (1989), *Backdraft* (1991), Far and Away (1992), *The Nutty Professor* (1996), Liar Liar (1997), *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), Cinderella Man (2005), *Frost/Nixon* (2008), *Rush* (2013), The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (2016), and *Hillbilly Elegy* (2020). His television work also encompasses series like *Friday Night Lights* and *Parenthood*.

Awards and nominations

His work on *A Beautiful Mind* earned him the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2002. He has received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Drama Series for *24* in 2006. Other accolades include the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2020, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Milestone Award from the Producers Guild of America. He has also been nominated for numerous Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA awards throughout his career.

Legacy and influence

Through Imagine Entertainment, he has helped shape modern popular culture with a body of work that balances commercial appeal with substantive storytelling. His advocacy for curiosity as a professional and creative tool has influenced producers and executives throughout the entertainment industry. As a mentor and executive, he has supported the careers of numerous writers, directors, and actors, contributing to the development of projects that explore complex social and historical themes. His enduring partnership with Ron Howard remains one of the most successful and stable in Hollywood history.

Category:American film producers Category:American television producers Category:Academy Award-winning producers