Jenno Topping

Jenno Topping is an American film and television producer known for her work on major studio films and successful franchises. She has held executive positions at prominent production companies, including Flower Films and Chernin Entertainment, and is currently the President of the Film Division at 20th Century Studios. Her producing credits span a wide range of genres, from action blockbusters like the ''Maze Runner'' series to acclaimed dramas such as James Mangold's Academy Award-winning Ford v Ferrari.

Early life and education

Jenno Topping was born in New York City and developed an early interest in the performing arts. She pursued her higher education at Northwestern University, where she studied theater and performance. Following her undergraduate studies, she furthered her training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, honing her skills before transitioning from performance to the production side of the entertainment industry.

Career

Topping began her career in the early 1990s, working in development and production roles. A significant career milestone was her tenure at Flower Films, the production company founded by Drew Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen. There, she served as President of Production and was instrumental in developing and producing the hit film Charlie's Angels and its sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. She later joined Chernin Entertainment, headed by Peter Chernin, where she produced films like The Heat starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, and shepherded the young-adult dystopian franchise The Maze Runner to global success.

In 2020, Topping was appointed President of the Film Division at 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. In this executive role, she oversees the studio's film slate, guiding projects from development through release. Notable productions under her leadership include the Academy Award-nominated drama The Last Duel, directed by Ridley Scott, and the Golden Globe-nominated musical Wonka. Her career is marked by collaborations with major directors such as Wes Ball, Matt Reeves, and James Mangold, with whom she worked on the critically acclaimed Ford v Ferrari, which won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing.

Filmography

A selected list of feature films produced by Jenno Topping includes: * Charlie's Angels (2000) * Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) * The Heat (2013) * The Maze Runner (2014) * Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) * Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) * Ford v Ferrari (2019) * The Last Duel (2021) * Wonka (2023)

Awards and nominations

Topping's work has been recognized by major industry awards. Her production of Ford v Ferrari was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020. The film also won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Drama. The ''Maze Runner'' franchise earned her several MTV Movie & TV Awards and Teen Choice Awards for its popular success.

Personal life

Jenno Topping is married to English film director Peter Chelsom, known for films like Hear My Song and The Mighty. The couple wed in 1996 and have two children together. They maintain residences in both Los Angeles and the United Kingdom. Outside of her professional work, Topping is involved with various charitable organizations focused on arts education and has served on the board of the Northwestern University Council for the School of Communication.

Category:American film producers Category:20th Century Studios executives Category:Living people Category:Northwestern University alumni