James L. Brooks Picture
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James L. Brooks


Trivia:

He is among an elite group of 7 Directors who have won best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay (Original/Adapted) for the same film. In 1984 he won all three for Terms of Endearment. The other directors are Leo McCarey (for Going My Way), Billy Wilder (for The Apartment), Francis Ford Coppola (for The Godfather: Part II)... See more trivia »

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Test your knowledge of James L. Brooks.
Won 3 Oscars. Another 40 wins & 54 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideWriter (39 titles)
1989-2013 The Simpsons (TV series)
The Man Who Came to Be Dinner (2013) (developer)
The Saga of Carl Carlson (2013) (developer)
The Fabulous Faker Boy (2013) (developer)
Whiskey Business (2013) (developer)
Pulpit Friction (2013) (developer)
 
2012 The Longest Daycare (short) (written by)
 
2010 How Do You Know (written by)
 
2007 The Simpsons Movie (developer: television series "The Simpsons" - uncredited / screenplay)
 
2004 Spanglish (written by)
 
1997 As Good as It Gets (screenplay)
 
1994 De Sylvia Millecam Show (TV series)
U bent mijn Moeder (1994) (original script - uncredited)
Nieuwe Buren (1994) (original script - uncredited)
Goed nieuws is geen nieuws (original script - uncredited)
 
1994 I'll Do Anything (written by)
 
1994 Virtual Bart (Video Game) (characters)
 
1991 The Simpsons (Video Game) (characters)
 
1987 Broadcast News (written by)
 
1983 Terms of Endearment (screenplay)
 
1978-1983 Taxi (TV series)
Simka's Monthlies (1983) (creator)
A Grand Gesture (1983) (creator)
Jim's Mario's (1983) (creator)
Tony's Baby (1983) (creator)
Arnie Meets the Kids (1983) (creator)
 
1977-1982 Lou Grant (TV series)
Charlie (1982) (creator)
Victims (1982) (creator)
Beachhead (1982) (creator)
Suspect (1982) (creator)
Unthinkable (1982) (creator)
 
1980 Carlton Your Doorman (TV short) (character)
 
1979-1980 The Associates (TV series)
The Party (1980) (creator)
The Censors (1980) (creator)
Danko's a Daddy (1980) (creator)
Eliot's Revenge (1980) (creator)
A Date with Johnny (1980) (creator)
 
1979 Starting Over (screenplay)
 
1978 Cindy (TV movie)
 
1970-1977 Mary Tyler Moore (TV series)
The Last Show (1977) (creator / written by)
Lou Dates Mary (1977) (creator)
Mary's Big Party (1977) (creator)
Mary's Three Husbands (1977) (creator)
Murray Ghosts for Ted (1977) (creator)
 
1975 Phyllis (TV series)
Leaving Home (1975) (characters)
Pilot (1975) (characters)
 
1974-1975 Rhoda (TV series)
Not Made for Each Other (1975) (creator)
Whattaya Think It's There For? (1975) (creator)
Good-Bye Charlie (1974) (creator)
Anything Wrong? (1974) (creator)
 
1974-1975 Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (TV series)
From Russia with Lust (1975) (creator)
The Groupie (1974) (creator)
Just the Ticket (1974) (creator)
All's Well That Ends (1974) (creator)
Maid in the Snow (1974) (creator)
 
1974 Thursday's Game (TV movie)
 
1969-1974 Room 222 (TV series)
Cry Uncle (1974) (creator)
Jason and Big Mo (1974) (creator)
MPG (1973) (creator)
El Greco to Jason (1973) (creator)
 
1973 Going Places (TV short)
 
1969 My Friend Tony (TV series)
Encounter (1969) (writer)
 
1968 The Doris Day Show (TV series)
The Job (1968) (written by)
 
1968 Mayberry R.F.D. (TV series)
Youth Takes Over (1968) (written by / as Jim Brooks)
 
1968 My Three Sons (TV series)
The Perfect Separation (1968) (written by)
 
1968 Good Morning, World (TV series)
Pot Luckless (1968) (written by)
 
1968 The Andy Griffith Show (TV series)
Emmett's Brother-in-Law (1968) (written by)
The Mayberry Chef (1968) (written by)
 
1967 Accidental Family (TV series)
Hot Kid in a Cold Town (1967) (teleplay / as Jim Brooks)
 
1966-1967 That Girl (TV series)
Pass the Potatoes, Ethel Merman (1967) (written by / as Jim Brooks)
Rain, Snow and Rice (1967) (written by)
Christmas and the Hard-Luck Kid (1966) (written by / as Jim Brooks)
 
1967 Hey, Landlord (TV series)
Sharin' Sharon (1967) (written by)
 
1965-1966 Time-Life Specials: The March of Time (TV series documentary)
The Enterprise in Action (1966) (writer)
And Away We Go (1965) (writer)
The Odyssey of the Automobile (1965) (writer)
 
1966 My Mother the Car (TV series)
The Blabbermouth (1966) (written by)
It Might as Well Be Spring as Not (1966) (written by)
 
1965 October Madness: The World Series (TV documentary)
 
1965 Men in Crisis (TV series)
Halsey vs Yamamoto (1965) (writer)
Kennedy vs Khrushchev (1965) (writer)
 
Show ShowProducer (36 titles)
1989-2013 The Simpsons (TV series) (executive producer - 477 episodes)
The Saga of Carl Carlson (2013) (executive producer)
The Fabulous Faker Boy (2013) (executive producer)
Whiskey Business (2013) (executive producer)
Pulpit Friction (2013) (executive producer)
What Animated Women Want (2013) (executive producer)
 
2012 The Longest Daycare (short) (executive producer, producer)
 
2010 How Do You Know (producer)
 
2008 The Simpsons Ride (short) (producer)
 
2007 The Simpsons Game (Video Game) (executive producer)
 
2007 The Simpsons Movie (producer)
 
2004 Spanglish (producer)
 
2001 Riding in Cars with Boys (producer)
 
2000 The Critic (TV series) (executive producer - 9 episodes)
Episode #1.10 (executive producer)
Episode #1.2 (executive producer)
Episode #1.3 (executive producer)
Episode #1.4 (executive producer)
Episode #1.5 (executive producer)
 
1997 As Good as It Gets (producer)
 
1996 Jerry Maguire (producer)
 
1996 Bottle Rocket (executive producer)
 
1994-1995 The Critic (TV series) (executive producer - 7 episodes)
From Chunk to Hunk (1995) (executive producer)
Sherman, Woman and Child (1995) (executive producer)
Dr. Jay (1994) (executive producer)
L.A. Jay (1994) (executive producer)
Marathon Mensch (1994) (executive producer)
 
1994 Related by Birth (TV short) (executive producer)
 
1993-1994 Phenom (TV series) (executive producer - 22 episodes)
Strictly Lunchroom (1994) (executive producer)
Just a Family of Doolans Sittin' Around Talkin' (1994) (executive producer)
It's a Wonderful Mid-Life Crisis (1994) (executive producer)
Angela's Fifteen Minutes (1994) (executive producer)
Dianne's Young Buck (1994) (executive producer)
 
1994 I'll Do Anything (producer)
 
1990 Do the Bartman (TV short) (executive producer)
 
1990 The Best of the Tracey Ullman Show (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
1987-1990 The Tracey Ullman Show (TV series) (executive producer - 80 episodes)
Episode #4.23 (1990) (executive producer)
Arms Control (1990) (executive producer)
Her First Grownup (1990) (executive producer)
Who Is He? (1990) (executive producer)
Episode #4.19 (1990) (executive producer)
 
1989 The War of the Roses (producer)
 
1989 Say Anything... (executive producer)
 
1988 Big (producer)
 
1987 Broadcast News (producer)
 
1983 Terms of Endearment (producer)
 
1978-1983 Taxi (TV series) (executive producer - 111 episodes)
Simka's Monthlies (1983) (executive producer)
A Grand Gesture (1983) (executive producer)
Jim's Mario's (1983) (executive producer)
Tony's Baby (1983) (executive producer)
Arnie Meets the Kids (1983) (executive producer)
 
1979-1980 The Associates (TV series) (executive producer - 2 episodes)
The Censors (1980) (executive producer)
The First Day (1979) (executive producer)
 
1979 Starting Over (producer)
 
1978 Cindy (TV movie) (producer)
 
1977-1978 Lou Grant (TV series) (executive producer - 22 episodes)
Physical (1978) (executive producer)
Poison (1978) (executive producer)
Spies (1978) (executive producer)
Scandal (1978) (executive producer)
Sect (1978) (executive producer)
 
Mary Tyler Moore (TV series) (executive producer - 162 episodes, 1970-1977) (producer - 6 episodes, 1970)
The Last Show (1977) (executive producer)
Lou Dates Mary (1977) (executive producer)
Mary's Big Party (1977) (executive producer)
Mary's Three Husbands (1977) (executive producer)
Murray Ghosts for Ted (1977) (executive producer)
 
1974-1977 Rhoda (TV series) (executive producer - 30 episodes)
To Vegas with Love (1977) (executive producer)
Pajama Party Bingo (1977) (executive producer)
The Second Time Around (1977) (executive producer)
Nose Job (1977) (executive producer)
Nick Lobo, Superstar (1977) (executive producer)
 
1974 Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (TV series) (executive producer - 1 episode)
Maid in the Snow (1974) (executive producer)
 
1974 Thursday's Game (TV movie) (producer)
 
1972 Class of '55 (TV movie) (producer)
 
1965 Men in Crisis (TV series) (producer - 1 episode)
Kennedy vs Khrushchev (1965) (producer)
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (12 titles)
1989-2013 The Simpsons (TV series) (executive creative consultant - 298 episodes)
The Saga of Carl Carlson (2013) (executive creative consultant)
The Fabulous Faker Boy (2013) (executive creative consultant)
Whiskey Business (2013) (executive creative consultant)
Pulpit Friction (2013) (executive creative consultant)
What Animated Women Want (2013) (executive creative consultant)
 
2003 The Simpsons: Hit & Run (Video Game) (creative consultant)
 
1994-1995 The Critic (TV series) (executive creative consultant - 7 episodes)
From Chunk to Hunk (1995) (executive creative consultant)
Sherman, Woman and Child (1995) (executive creative consultant)
Dr. Jay (1994) (executive creative consultant)
L.A. Jay (1994) (executive creative consultant)
Marathon Mensch (1994) (executive creative consultant)
 
1993-1994 Phenom (TV series) (executive consultant - 21 episodes)
Strictly Lunchroom (1994) (executive consultant)
Just a Family of Doolans Sittin' Around Talkin' (1994) (executive consultant)
It's a Wonderful Mid-Life Crisis (1994) (executive consultant)
Angela's Fifteen Minutes (1994) (executive consultant)
Dianne's Young Buck (1994) (executive consultant)
 
Taxi (TV series) (executive consultant - 65 episodes, 1978-1981) (executive creative consultant - 42 episodes, 1981-1983)
Simka's Monthlies (1983) (executive creative consultant)
A Grand Gesture (1983) (executive creative consultant)
Jim's Mario's (1983) (executive creative consultant)
Tony's Baby (1983) (executive creative consultant)
Arnie Meets the Kids (1983) (executive creative consultant)
 
1979-1980 The Associates (TV series) (executive consultant - 2 episodes)
The Censors (1980) (executive consultant)
The First Day (1979) (executive consultant)
 
1978-1979 Lou Grant (TV series) (executive consultant - 10 episodes)
Romance (1979) (executive consultant)
Convention (1979) (executive consultant)
Sweep (1979) (executive consultant)
Vet (1979) (executive consultant)
Conflict (1978) (executive consultant)
 
1978 Cindy (TV movie) (creative consultant)
 
1977-1978 Rhoda (TV series) (executive consultant - 6 episodes)
Two's Company (1978) (executive consultant)
Home Movies (1977) (executive consultant)
Ida Works Out (1977) (executive consultant)
Lady's Choice (1977) (executive consultant)
The Job (1977) (executive consultant)
 
1972-1973 Mary Tyler Moore (TV series) (script consultant - 24 episodes)
Mary Richards and the Incredible Plant Lady (1973) (script consultant)
Put on a Happy Face (1973) (script consultant)
Remembrance of Things Past (1973) (script consultant)
Murray Faces Life (1973) (script consultant)
What Do You Do When the Boss Says 'I Love You' (1973) (script consultant)
 
1969 My Friend Tony (TV series) (story editor - 1 episode)
Computer Murder (1969) (story editor)
 
1967 Accidental Family (TV series) (story editor - 6 episodes)
Sandy Gets Tough (1967) (story editor)
The Return of Mr. Ex (1967) (story editor)
The Woodsman (1967) (story editor)
Halloween's on Us (1967) (story editor)
 
Show ShowDirector (6 titles)
Show ShowActor (5 titles)
1981 Modern Romance
David
 
1979 Real Life
Driving Evaluator
 
1976 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Paul Reynold
Elliott Gould/Anne Murray (1976) … Paul Reynold (uncredited)
 
1974 Rhoda (TV series)
Subway Passenger
Rhoda's Wedding: Part 2 (1974) … Subway Passenger (uncredited)
 
1972 Mary Tyler Moore (TV series)
Rabbi
Enter Rhoda's Parents (1972) … Rabbi (uncredited)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
2007 The Simpsons Movie (writer: "Spider Pig", "Springfield Anthem" / lyrics: "Spider Pig", "Springfield Anthem")
 
Show ShowAnimation Department (1 title)
2001 The Simpsons: Wrestling (Video Game) (character developer)
 
Show ShowThanks (15 titles)
2012 The Adventures of Dugg & Lemmy (TV series) (very special thanks - 1 episode)
The Bottle of Hot Sauce (2012) (very special thanks)
 
2012 The Dictator (special thanks - as Jim Brooks)
 
2011 50/50 (special thanks)
 
2010 Presidential Reunion (video short) (special thanks - as James Brooks)
 
2010 Heidi Montag Says No to Plastic (video short) (special thanks)
 
2009 Funny People (thanks)
 
2007 Then She Found Me (thanks)
 
2006 Accidents Will Happen (short) (special thanks)
 
2006 Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (the producers wish to give special thanks for their assistance)
 
2006 A Terrifying Message from Al Gore (video short) (special thanks)
 
2001 The Royal Tenenbaums (thanks)
 
1998 Rushmore (thanks)
 
1991 My Own Private Idaho (special thanks)
 
1986 Jumpin' Jack Flash (special thanks)
 
1984 The Ratings Game (TV movie) (special thanks - as Jim Brooks)
 
Show ShowSelf (40 titles)
2011 America in Primetime (TV series documentary)
Himself
The Misfit (2011)
Man of the House (2011) … Himself
Independent Woman (2011) … Himself
 
2011 Kevin Pollak's Chat Show (TV series)
Himself
James L. Brooks (2011) … Himself
 
2011 Hans Zimmer - Der Sound für Hollywood (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2010 Made in Hollywood (TV series)
Himself
Episode #6.10 (2010) … Himself
 
2010 The Simpsons: Celebrity Friends (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2010 The Simpsons: Mischief & Mayhem (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2010 The Simpsons: Access All Areas (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2010 The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice! (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
2009 Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America (TV series documentary)
Himself / Himself - Co-creator, 'Taxi'
Would Ya Hit a Guy with Glasses?: Nerds, Jerks & Oddballs (2009) … Himself - Co-creator, 'Taxi'
 
2004-2007 Charlie Rose (TV series)
Himself - Guest
Episode dated 30 July 2007 (2007) … Himself - Guest
Episode dated 22 December 2004 (2004) … Himself - Guest
 
2007 Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 26 July 2007 (2007) … Himself
 
2007 Tavis Smiley (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 26 July 2007 (2007) … Himself
 
2007 Big: Chemistry of a Classic (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2007 The 5th Annual TV Land Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner ("Medallion Award")
 
2007 Dreams on Spec (documentary)
Himself
 
2001-2004 HBO First Look (TV series documentary)
Himself / Producer
The Making of 'Spanglish' (2004) … Himself
Riding in Cars with Boys (2001) … Himself/Producer
 
2000-2004 Biography (TV series documentary)
Himself
Jack Nicholson: The Joker Is Wild (2004) … Himself
Shirley MacLaine: This Time Around (2000) … Himself
 
2004 TV Land Moguls (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
 
2003 Bravo Profiles (TV series documentary)
Himself
Albert Brooks (2003) … Himself
 
2003 Eight Characters in Search of a Sitcom (video documentary)
Himself
 
2003 The Simpsons (TV series)
Himself
A Star Is Born Again (2003) … Himself (as Jim Brooks)
 
2002 Backstory (TV series documentary)
Himself
Broadcast News (2002) … Himself
 
2000 Inside TV Land: The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
2000 'The Simpsons': America's First Family (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
2000 AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1999 Influences: From Yesterday to Today (TV movie)
Himself
 
1998 The 70th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Nominee: Best Picture
 
1998 The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner: Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical & Nominee: Best Director/Best Screenplay
 
1998 Musik im Spiegel der Gefühle (TV movie)
Himself
 
1997 Getting the Goods on 'As Good As It Gets' (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1996 The Works (TV series documentary)
Himself
The Actor's Cut (1996) … Himself
 
1994 Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 1 February 1994 (1994) … Himself
 
1990 The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner: Best Writing in a Variety or Music Program & Nominee
 
1989 The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner: Best Variety, Music or Comedy Program & Nominee: Best Writing in a Variety or Music Program
 
1988 The 45th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Nominee: Best Comedy/Musical, Director & Screenplay
 
1984 The 56th Annual Academy Awards (TV special documentary)
Himself - Winner: Best Picture, Best Director & Best Adapted Screenplay
 
1981 The 33rd Annual Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner: Best Comedy Series
 
1979 The 31st Annual Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner: Best Comedy Series
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)
2003 Inside the Actors Studio (TV series)
 
2000 Twentieth Century Fox: The Blockbuster Years (TV documentary)
Himself
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Stage play "Brooklyn Laundry" (1990) See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Interviews  | 3 Articles  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Chains Hell Brooks | James 'Bemused but Bloodthirsty' Brooks | James 'Ha-Ha the Truth Is Unknowable' Brooks | James 'Haha The Devil Bought Facebook' Brooks | James 'Haha the Devil Bought Facebook' Brooks | James 'I'm Scared in Real Life' Brooks | James Hell Brooks | James L. "I'm Thinking of You Naked" Brooks | James L. 'I'm Thinking of You Naked' Brooks | James L. 'What Isn't Scary?' Brooks | James Brooks | Jim Brooks | Maims Hell Brooks | Veins Hell Brooks | The Truth is Unknowable' Brooks James 'Ha-Ha
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

While you're doing it, it is sort of a lonely kind of feeling, even though you are surrounded by so many people giving beyond the call. That's generally true of movies, there's a sense of urgency, people risking their tail, people working past exhaustion. That's what moviemaking is. It's lonely because you asked all of them to work that hard for this idea you had. See more »

Trivia:

He is among an elite group of 7 Directors who have won best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay (Original/Adapted) for the same film. In 1984 he won all three for Terms of Endearment. The other directors are Leo McCarey (for Going My Way), Billy Wilder (for The Apartment), Francis Ford Coppola (for The Godfather: Part II)... See more »

Trademark:

Writes at least one character who is an obsessive-compulsive or has OCD (Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment, Holly Hunter in Broadcast News, Jack Nicholson in As Good as It Gets, Téa Leoni in Spanglish). See more »

Star Sign:

Taurus