Laurence Mark Productions

Laurence Mark Productions is an American film and television production company founded in 1991 by veteran producer Laurence Mark. The company is known for producing a diverse slate of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, often in collaboration with major studios like DreamWorks Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Columbia Pictures. Its productions have garnered numerous accolades, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and British Academy Film Awards. The company's output spans from intimate character dramas to large-scale musicals, frequently featuring top-tier talent from both in front of and behind the camera.

History

The company was established by Laurence Mark, who began his career in the 1970s working for producers like Ray Stark at Rastar and later served as an executive at The Ladd Company. His early producing credits include films such as *The Big Chill* and *Working Girl*. After founding his own banner, the company's first major production was the 1994 romantic comedy *I Love Trouble*, starring Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, it solidified its reputation with a string of successful collaborations, particularly with director James L. Brooks on films like *As Good as It Gets* and *Spanglish*. A significant milestone was the production of the 2006 musical *Dreamgirls*, directed by Bill Condon, which earned widespread critical praise and multiple Academy Award nominations. The company has maintained a consistent presence in Hollywood, known for developing actor-driven projects and literary adaptations, often navigating productions between various major studios and independent financiers.

Filmography

The company's filmography showcases a wide range of genres and prestigious collaborations. Notable titles include the Oscar-winning drama *As Good as It Gets* (1997), starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt; the biographical musical *Dreamgirls* (2006), featuring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, and Eddie Murphy; and the adult comedy *I Love You, Man* (2009) with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. Other significant productions are the fantasy romance *The Last of the Mohicans* (1992), the satirical comedy *Jerry Maguire* (1996), the drama *Riding in Cars with Boys* (2001) starring Drew Barrymore, and the reboot of *Annie* (2014) with Quvenzhané Wallis. The company has also produced films like *The Greatest Showman* (2017), a musical about P.T. Barnum starring Hugh Jackman, and the coming-of-age story *The Edge of Seventeen* (2016), which starred Hailee Steinfeld. These works frequently involve acclaimed directors such as Cameron Crowe, Stephen Daldry, and Julie Taymor.

Television productions

While primarily focused on feature films, the company has also been involved in television production. Its television work includes executive producing the ABC drama series *Gideon's Crossing* (2000-2001), which starred Andre Braugher and was created by Paul Attanasio. Another notable project was the HBO film *The Girl in the Café* (2005), written by Richard Curtis and starring Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald, which earned several Primetime Emmy Award nominations. These ventures into television demonstrate the company's ability to craft narrative-driven content for the small screen, often with the same emphasis on strong writing and performance that characterizes its film projects.

Awards and nominations

Productions have received substantial recognition from major award-giving bodies. The film *As Good as It Gets* won Academy Awards for Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, while *Dreamgirls* earned two Oscars for Sound Mixing and Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Hudson. *Dreamgirls* also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Other nominated films include *Jerry Maguire* for Best Picture and *The Greatest Showman* for Best Original Song. The television film *The Girl in the Café* received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Individual producers, notably Laurence Mark, have been honored with nominations from the Producers Guild of America and other industry organizations for their work on these projects.

See also

* Film producer * DreamWorks Pictures * Academy Awards * Golden Globe Awards * James L. Brooks * Bill Condon * Musical film

Category:American film production companies Category:Companies based in Los Angeles Category:Entertainment companies established in 1991