John Sayles Picture
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Down 978 this week

John Sayles

Writer | Actor | Director

A bright child, John Sayles began reading novels before age 9. A Williams grad in 1972, he shunned a corporate career to work various blue-collar jobs, moving to east Boston to take a factory job. He wrote stories and submitted them to various magazines, and the Atlantic Monthly gave him the idea of publishing them in a novel--thus "Pride of the Bimbos" (1975) was born... See full bio »

Born:

in Schenectady, New York, USA
More at IMDbPro » Contact Info on IMDbPro Contact Info: View agent and legal
Add or change photos on IMDbPro Represent John Sayles? Add or change photos
Still of John Sayles in Amigo John Sayles, David Strathairn and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in Limbo Still of John Sayles in Honeydripper Daryl Hannah, John Sayles, Lili Taylor, Marcia Gay Harden, Rita Moreno and Mary Steenburgen at event of Casa de los babys John Sayles at event of Casa de los babys Director John Sayles & crew
12 photos | 36 videos | 374 news articles »

Quick Links:

Related News

5 Things You May Not Know About Akira Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai'
26 April 2012 6:58 AM, PDT | The Playlist
40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks Announces Aug 10th Theatrical Release Plans For Spike Lee.s Red Hook Summer
25 April 2012 3:33 PM, PDT | WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Swift to play Joni Mitchell? - Realbollywood.com News
22 April 2012 12:50 AM, PDT | RealBollywood
See all 374 related articles »

Watch on TV

Something Wild
Fri. May 25 2:00 AM on MAX
IMDbTV | All TV listings »

Projects In Development help

2014
The Ethel and Julius Rosenberg Trial
A Cold Case
Girls Like Us
Details only on IMDbPro »
Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of name
Why Can't we be Friends?
a list of 47 people by FearthePurpleUnicorn created 5 months ago
 
image of name
The Directors Worth Knowing
a list of 118 people by blueish35 created 21 Feb 2011
 
image of name
Confessing My Film Snob Shortcomings, Part 2: The Directors
a list of 100 people by MisterGumby created 1 month ago
 
image of name
American Directors (Director = Author)
a list of 145 people by RAMPARTisGREAT created 4 months ago
 
image of name
Greatest Directors of the 21st Century
a list of 372 people by Paul Hamell created 5 months ago
 
See all 34 related lists »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Tim Bell - SAG Stuntman -- No description provided.

Tim Bell - SAG Stuntman

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

Pre-Order the Kindle Fire
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 25 wins & 23 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideWriter (34 titles)
2010 Amigo (written by)
 
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles (screenplay)
 
2007 Honeydripper (written by)
 
2004 Silver City (written by)
 
2003 Casa de los babys (written by)
 
2002 Sunshine State (written by)
 
1999 Limbo (written by)
 
1997/II Men with Guns (written by)
 
1996 Lone Star (written by)
 
1995 Piranha (TV movie) (original screenplay / story)
 
1994 The Secret of Roan Inish (screenplay)
 
1994 Men of War (screenplay)
 
1992 Passion Fish (written by)
 
1991 City of Hope (written by)
 
1990 Shannon's Deal (TV series)
– Custody (1990) (written by)
– Words to Music (1990) (written by)
 
1989 Breaking In (written by)
 
1989 Shannon's Deal (TV movie)
 
1988 Eight Men Out (screenplay)
 
1987 Matewan (written by)
 
1987 Wild Thing (screenplay / story)
 
1986 Unnatural Causes (TV movie)
 
1986 The Clan of the Cave Bear (screenplay)
 
1984 The Brother from Another Planet
 
1983 Enormous Changes at the Last Minute (writer)
 
1983 Baby It's You (screenplay)
 
1983 Lianna (written by)
 
1982 The Challenge (written by)
 
1981 The Howling (screenplay)
 
1980 A Perfect Match (TV movie)
 
1980 Battle Beyond the Stars (screenplay / story)
 
1980 Alligator (screenplay / story)
 
1979 The Lady in Red (written by)
 
1979 Return of the Secaucus Seven (writer)
 
1978 Piranha (screenplay / story)
 
Show ShowActor (29 titles)
2012 The Normals (post-production)
Dr. Marx
 
2009 In the Electric Mist
Michael Goldman
 
2008 The Toe Tactic
Cramden
 
2007 Honeydripper
Zeke
 
2003 Scene by Scene (TV series)
– John Sayles (2003)
 
2000 Girlfight
Science Teacher
 
1997 Gridlock'd
Cop #1
 
1993 My Life's in Turnaround
Marginal Producer
 
1993 Matinee
Bob
 
1992 Malcolm X
FBI Agent
 
1992 Passion Fish
Doctor in Soap (uncredited)
 
1992 Straight Talk
Guy Girardi
 
1991 City of Hope
Carl
 
1991 Square One TV (TV series)
Roy 'Lefty' Cobbs
– Episode #4.5 (1991) … Roy 'Lefty' Cobbs
– Episode #4.4 (1991) … Roy 'Lefty' Cobbs
– Episode #4.2 (1991) … Roy 'Lefty' Cobbs
 
1991 Mathnet (TV series)
Roy 'Lefty' Cobbs
– The Case of the Unnatural (1991) … Roy 'Lefty' Cobbs
 
1990 Little Vegas
Mike
 
1990 Shannon's Deal (TV series)
Ronny Nash
– Words to Music (1990) … Ronny Nash
 
1989 La fine della notte
Wayne
 
1989 Untama giru
 
1988 Eight Men Out
Ring Lardner
 
1987 Matewan
Hardshell Preacher
 
1986 Unnatural Causes (TV movie)
Lloyd
 
1986 Something Wild
Motorcycle Cop
 
1985 Hard Choices
Don
 
1984 The Brother from Another Planet
Man In Black
 
1983 Lianna
Jerry
 
1981 The Howling
Morgue Attendant (uncredited)
 
1979 Return of the Secaucus Seven
Howie
 
1978 Piranha
Army Sentry (uncredited)
 
Show ShowDirector (20 titles)
2010 Amigo
 
2007 Honeydripper
 
2004 Silver City
 
2003 Casa de los babys
 
2002 Sunshine State
 
2001 Bruce Springsteen: The Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000 (video documentary) (videos "Born in the U.S.A.", "I'm on Fire", "Glory Days")
 
1999 Limbo
 
1997/II Men with Guns
 
1996 Lone Star
 
1994 The Secret of Roan Inish
 
1992 Passion Fish
 
1991 City of Hope
 
1990 Shannon's Deal (TV series)
 
1989 Bruce Springsteen: Video Anthology 1978-1988 (video documentary) (video "Born in the USA" / video "Glory Days" / video "I'm on Fire")
 
1988 Eight Men Out
 
1987 Matewan
 
1984 The Brother from Another Planet
 
1983 Baby It's You
 
1983 Lianna
 
1979 Return of the Secaucus Seven
 
Show ShowEditor (14 titles)
Show ShowSoundtrack (6 titles)
2007 Honeydripper (writer: "You Got to Choose", "China Doll", "The Music Keeps Rollin' On")
 
2003 Casa de los babys (writer: "Quién Sera" / lyrics: "Quién Sera")
 
2002 Sunshine State (lyrics: "Skeeter Pie", "Buccaneer Daze")
 
1999 Limbo (writer: "Loving You Is Hell Enough For Me")
 
1998 The Newton Boys (writer: "Guide Us to Thy Side")
 
1984 The Brother from Another Planet ("Homeboy", "Promised Land")
 
Show ShowProducer (3 titles)
2007 My Mexican Shivah (executive producer)
 
2000 Girlfight (executive producer)
 
1999 Santitos (executive producer)
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (2 titles)
2008 P.O.V. (TV series documentary) (advisor - 1 episode)
– Election Day (2008) (advisor)
 
1990 American Dream (documentary) (additional funding)
 
Show ShowSound Department (1 title)
2010 My First Sale (TV series documentary) (audio - 1 episode)
– Desperate to Sell Rowhouse (2010) (audio)
 
Show ShowThanks (6 titles)
2011 The Story of Film: An Odyssey (TV series documentary) (thanks - 3 episodes)
– Episode #1.12 (2011) (thanks)
– Episode #1.9 (2011) (thanks)
– Episode #1.6 (2011) (thanks)
 
2010 Committed: The Toronto International Film Festival (TV documentary) (special thanks)
 
2009 Accidents Happen (special thanks)
 
2007 Lost Revolution (very special thanks)
 
2006 American Pets (video short) (special thanks)
 
2003 Secondhand Lions (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (38 titles)
2012 Casting By (documentary) (post-production)
Himself
 
2011 The Story of Film: An Odyssey (TV series documentary)
Himself - Interviewee
– Episode #1.12 (2011) … Himself - Interviewee
 
2011 The Legend of Ivan Tors (documentary)
Himself - Interviewee
 
2011 Democracy Now! (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 4 July 2011 (2011) … Himself
– Episode dated 17 June 2011 (2011) … Himself
 
2011 Bottomline (TV series)
Himself
– John Sayles (2011) … Himself
 
2011 Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (documentary)
Himself
 
2011 Let Fury Have the Hour (documentary)
Himself
 
2010 Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood (TV mini-series documentary)
Director / Himself - Writer
– Fade Out, Fade In (2010) … Himself - Writer / Director
 
2010 Ceremonia de clausura - 58 Festival Internacional de San Sebastián (TV movie)
Himself
 
2010 Miradas 2 (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode dated 23 September 2010 (2010) … Himself
 
2010 Sodankylä ikuisesti (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Elokuvan vuosisata (2010) … Himself
 
2009 Studs Terkel: Listening to America (TV documentary short)
 
2009 Great Directors (documentary)
Himself
 
2008 Trailers from Hell (documentary)
Himself
 
2008 Shootout (TV series)
Himself
– Palm Springs Film Festival (2008) … Himself
 
2008 Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 4 January 2008 (2008) … Himself
 
2007 Ceremonia de clausura - 55º festival internacional de cine de San Sebastián (TV movie)
Himself
 
2007 IFP's Independent Filmmaker Conference (video short)
Himself - Film Director
 
2007 Obscene (documentary)
 
2006 Edge of Outside (documentary)
Himself
 
2006 American Pets (video short)
Himself
 
2006 Who Needs Sleep? (documentary) (as John Sayles)
 
2005 Tavis Smiley (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 27 April 2005 (2005) … Himself
 
2004 The Difference (video documentary short)
Himself
 
1999-2004 Cinema 3 (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 16 October 2004 (2004) … Himself
– Episode dated 2 November 1999 (1999) … Himself
 
2004 Tell Them Who You Are (documentary)
Himself
 
2004 Now (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode dated 6 August 2004 (2004) … Himself
 
2003 Dinner for Five (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.13 (2003) … Himself
 
2003 Beyond Borders: John Sayles in Mexico (documentary)
Himself
 
2003 Unleashing the Beast: Making 'The Howling' (video documentary)
Himself
 
2003 American Storytellers (documentary)
Himself
 
2000 A Constant Forge (documentary)
 
1999 The Panel (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.31 (1999) … Himself
 
1995-1999 Charlie Rose (TV series)
Himself - Guest / Himself
– Episode dated 15 June 1999 (1999) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 20 March 1998 (1998) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 26 June 1996 (1996) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 15 March 1995 (1995) … Himself
– Episode dated 17 February 1995 (1995) … Himself
 
1999 Film-Fest DVD: Issue 2 - Cannes (video documentary)
Himself
 
1997 Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1994 Baseball (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
– The Faith of Fifty Million People (1994) … Himself
 
1991 Naked Hollywood (TV mini-series)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)

Related Videos

Silver City -- The discovery of a corpse threatens to unravel a bumbling local politician's campaign for governor of Colorado. In the Electric Mist -- Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones leads an all-star cast in this psychological thriller based on the bestselling novel by James Lee Burke. Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel -- A documentary on DIY producer/director Roger Corman and his alternative approach to making movies in Hollywood.
See all 36 »
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

(1977) Novel: "Union Dues". NOTE: Nominated for the National Book Critics Circle and National Book awards. See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Print Biographies  | 9 Interviews  | 13 Articles  | See more »

Official Sites:

Official Site | ThFacebook | See more »

Height:

6' 4" (1.93 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

The scariest movie I ever saw was John Carpenter's The Thing with special effects by Rob Bottin. The theater was full, and I had to sit in the front row. See more »

Trivia:

Drafted in 1968, but rejected by US Army because of missing vertebra. See more »

Trademark:

Frequently casts 'Mary McDonnell', Chris Cooper, Angela Bassett, 'Tom Wright', 'Gordon Clapp', Joe Morton,Vincent Spano, and David Strathairn. See more »

Star Sign:

Libra