Brian Koppelman

Brian Koppelman is an American film director, screenwriter, film producer, and podcaster. He is best known for his long-standing creative partnership with David Levien, with whom he has co-written and produced numerous films and television series. Koppelman gained significant acclaim as the co-creator and showrunner of the hit Showtime series Billions. He also hosts the popular interview podcast The Moment with Brian Koppelman.

Early life and education

Brian Koppelman was born in Roslyn Harbor, New York, and grew up in a family immersed in the entertainment industry; his father, Charles Koppelman, was a prominent music executive and record producer. He attended Buckley Country Day School before enrolling at Tufts University, where he studied English literature. During his time at university, Koppelman developed a deep interest in songwriting and music journalism, contributing to various publications. He later pursued a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law, though he ultimately chose to follow a creative path in screenwriting and film production.

Career

Koppelman began his career in the music business, working at his father's company, The Entertainment Company, and later as an A&R executive at Elektra Records. His transition to filmmaking began when he co-wrote the screenplay for Rounders (1998) with his longtime collaborator David Levien; the film, starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, later achieved cult status. The duo continued their partnership, writing screenplays for films such as Ocean's Thirteen (2007) and The Girlfriend Experience (2009), and directing their debut film, Solitary Man (2009), starring Michael Douglas. Koppelman and Levien achieved major success in television by creating the finance-drama series Billions for Showtime, which stars Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis. He also co-created the TNT drama Run. Beyond traditional media, Koppelman is a noted podcaster, hosting The Moment with Brian Koppelman, where he interviews influential figures from various fields including entrepreneurship, writing, and sports.

Filmography

A selection of his work includes the film Rounders (1998) as screenwriter, Knockaround Guys (2001) as screenwriter and producer, and Ocean's Thirteen (2007) as screenwriter. He co-wrote and directed Solitary Man (2009) and co-wrote The Girlfriend Experience (2009). For television, he is best known as the co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner of Billions (2016–2023) and co-creator of Run (2020). His producing credits also include the documentary film This Changes Everything (2018).

Personal life

Koppelman married novelist Amy Koppelman in 1997, and they have three children together. The family resides in New York City. He is an avid poker player, a passion reflected in his work on Rounders, and maintains a strong public presence on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, where he engages with fans and discusses creative processes. Koppelman is also known for his disciplined writing routine, which he often discusses on his podcast and in interviews with outlets like The New York Times.

Awards and nominations

For his work on Billions, Koppelman has received several award nominations, including a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. The show has also been nominated for Critics' Choice Television Awards and Writers Guild of America Awards. His podcast, The Moment with Brian Koppelman, has been featured in Apple Podcasts charts and praised by publications such as The Guardian. While Rounders was not a major awards contender upon release, it later won the Film Threat Award and has been honored at festivals like the Deauville American Film Festival.

Category:American film directors Category:American screenwriters Category:American film producers Category:American podcasters Category:1966 births Category:Living people