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IMDbPro

J.J. Abrams

  • Producer
  • Writer
  • Music Department
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,00026
J.J. Abrams at an event for Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
From 'Mission: Impossible III' to 'Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker,' we track the cinematic trademarks of director J.J. Abrams through cold opens, kinetic tracking shots and, of course, lens flares.
Play clip2:02
A Guide to the Films of J.J. Abrams
39 Videos
99+ Photos
Jeffrey Jacob Abrams was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, the son of TV producer parents. At 15, he wrote the music for Don Dohler's Nightbeast (1982). In his senior year of college, he and Jill Mazursky teamed up to write a feature film, which became Muisti hukassa (1990). He went on to write and produce Tapaus Henry (1991) and Ikuisesti nuori (1992). He also co-wrote Kahjo kalareissu (1997) with Mazursky. Along with other Sarah Lawrence alumni, he experimented with computer animation and was contracted to develop pre-production animation for Shrek (2001).

Abrams worked on the screenplay for Armageddon (1998) and co-created (as well as composing the opening theme of) Felicity (1998), which ran for four seasons. He founded the production company Bad Robot in 2001 with Bryan Burk. He created and executive-produced Alias (2001) and Lost (2004), composing the theme music for both, and co-writing episodes of "Lost". He also co-wrote and produced thriller Joy Ride (2001). He made his feature directing debut with M:i:III (2006), reinvigorating the series. He produced the hit mystery film Cloverfield (2008) and co-created Fringe - rajamailla (2008).

He directed the Star Trek (2009) reboot, proving successful with fans and newcomers to the franchise. He next directed Super 8 (2011), co-produced by Steven Spielberg and produced Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011). He returned to direct the follow-up to his reboot, Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). Disney and Lucasfilm announced J.J. as their choice for director of the first episode in the new 'Star Wars' trilogy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). He initially resisted, as he didn't want to travel away from his family to London, but Kathleen Kennedy convinced him that his voice would be the best to reinvigorate this franchise, as he had done with two others before. He also produced Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015) and Star Trek Beyond (2016), and executive-produced Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). When it was announced that Colin Trevorrow would no longer direct Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), it was announced that J.J. would return to complete the trilogy he started.
BornJune 27, 1966
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJune 27, 1966
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,00026
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 29 wins & 62 nominations total

    Photos362

    J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, and Robin Guiver in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Brian Herring, Dave Chapman, and Robin Guiver in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    Anthony Daniels, Keri Russell, J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Dave Chapman, John Boyega, Robin Guiver, and Daisy Ridley in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Brian Herring, Dave Chapman, and Robin Guiver in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    Anthony Daniels, J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Dave Chapman, John Boyega, Robin Guiver, Daisy Ridley, and Joonas Suotamo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    J.J. Abrams and Jimmy Fallon in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014)
    J.J. Abrams in Conan (2010)
    J.J. Abrams in Conan (2010)
    J.J. Abrams in Conan (2010)
    J.J. Abrams in Conan (2010)
    J.J. Abrams in Conan (2010)
    J.J. Abrams and Benedict Cumberbatch in Conan (2010)

    Known for

    Ken Leung in Lost (2004)
    Lost
    8.3
    TV Series
    • Producer
    Star Trek (2009)
    Star Trek
    7.9
    • Producer(produced by)
    • 2009
    Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Kenny Baker, Michael Giacchino, Peter Mayhew, Nigel Godrich, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Lupita Nyong'o, Dave Chapman, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
    Star Wars: The Force Awakens
    7.8
    • Producer
    • 2015
    Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Keri Russell, J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Hassan Taj, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Jimmy Vee, Dave Chapman, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Robin Guiver, Daisy Ridley, Lee Towersey, Joonas Suotamo, and Naomi Ackie in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
    6.4
    • Producer(p.g.a.)
    • 2019

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Producer

    • The Blue Angels
      • producer
      • Completed
      • 2024
    • Presumed Innocent
      • executive producer
      • Post-production
      • TV Series
      • 2024
    • Flowervale Street
      • producer
      • In Production
      • 2025
    • Demimonde
      • executive producer
      • Pre-production
      • TV Series
    • Untitled Elizabeth Taylor Project
      • executive producer
      • In Production
      • TV Series
    • Untitled Cloverfield Sequel
      • producer
      • In Production
    • My Glory Was I Had Such Friends
      • executive producer
      • Pre-production
      • TV Series
    • Your Name
      • producer
      • In Development
    • A Woman of No Importance
      • producer
      • In Development
    • Acorns
      • producer
      • Pre-production
    • Batman: Caped Crusader (2024)
      Batman: Caped Crusader
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Allison Janney and Jurnee Smollett in Lou (2022)
      Lou
      6.1
      • producer (produced by)
      • 2022
    • Gabriel Byrne, Idris Elba, Tom Hollander, and Jude Coward Nicoll in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (2022)
      The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
      7.8
      Short
      • producer
      • 2022
    • Westworld (2016)
      Westworld
      8.5
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2016–2022
    • UFO (2021)
      UFO
      6.6
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2021
    • Julianne Moore in Liseyn tarina (2021)
      Liseyn tarina
      5.9
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2021
    • Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors in Lovecraft Country (2020)
      Lovecraft Country
      7.1
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Challenger: The Final Flight (2020)
      Challenger: The Final Flight
      7.8
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Brittany O'Grady in Little Voice (2020)
      Little Voice
      7.2
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Spyjinx
      3.4
      Video Game
      • executive producer
      • 2019
    • Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Keri Russell, J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Hassan Taj, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Jimmy Vee, Dave Chapman, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Robin Guiver, Daisy Ridley, Lee Towersey, Joonas Suotamo, and Naomi Ackie in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
      Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
      6.4
      • producer (p.g.a.)
      • 2019
    • Castle Rock (2018)
      Castle Rock
      7.5
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2018–2019
    • The Wrong Mans
      4.6
      TV Movie
      • executive producer
      • 2018
    • Glare
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2018
    • Iain De Caestecker, Wyatt Russell, Pilou Asbæk, John Magaro, Jacob Anderson, Jovan Adepo, and Mathilde Ollivier in Overlord (2018)
      Overlord
      6.6
      • producer (produced by, p.g.a.)
      • 2018

    Writer

    • Demimonde
      • created by (creator)
      • Pre-production
      • TV Series
    • Untitled Cloverfield Sequel
      • Writer
      • In Production
    • Duster
      • Writer
      • In Production
      • TV Series
    • Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Keri Russell, J.J. Abrams, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Hassan Taj, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Jimmy Vee, Dave Chapman, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Robin Guiver, Daisy Ridley, Lee Towersey, Joonas Suotamo, and Naomi Ackie in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
      Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
      6.4
      • screenplay by
      • story by
      • 2019
    • Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Kenny Baker, Michael Giacchino, Peter Mayhew, Nigel Godrich, Oscar Isaac, Brian Herring, Lupita Nyong'o, Dave Chapman, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
      Star Wars: The Force Awakens
      7.8
      • written by
      • 2015
    • James Durham in Joy Ride 3: Road Kill (2014)
      Joy Ride 3: Road Kill
      4.7
      Video
      • based on the characters created by
      • 2014
    • Anna Torv in Fringe - rajamailla (2008)
      Fringe - rajamailla
      8.4
      TV Series
      • created by
      • written by (creator)
      • 2008–2013
    • Mr. & Mrs. Bloom (2010)
      Mr. & Mrs. Bloom
      5.6
      TV Series
      • created by
      • written by (creator)
      • 2010–2012
    • Super 8 (2011)
      Super 8
      7.0
      • written by
      • 2011
    • Lost: Epilogue - The New Man in Charge (2010)
      Lost: Epilogue - The New Man in Charge
      8.2
      Video
      • creator (uncredited)
      • 2010
    • Ken Leung in Lost (2004)
      Lost
      8.3
      TV Series
      • created by
      • teleplay by
      • story by (creator)
      • 2004–2010
    • Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek Save Vulcan Alternate Reality Game (2009)
      Star Trek Save Vulcan Alternate Reality Game
      2.6
      Video Game
      • Writer
      • 2009
    • Nick Zano in Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead (2008)
      Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead
      5.1
      Video
      • characters
      • 2008
    • Lost: Via Domus (2008)
      Lost: Via Domus
      6.2
      Video Game
      • creator
      • 2008
    • Lost: Missing Pieces (2007)
      Lost: Missing Pieces
      7.8
      TV Mini Series
      • teleplay by
      • 2008
    • Jennifer Garner in Alias (2001)
      Alias
      7.6
      TV Series
      • created by
      • written by (creator)
      • 2001–2006
    • Tom Cruise in M:i:III (2006)
      M:i:III
      6.9
      • written by
      • 2006
    • The Catch (2005)
      The Catch
      4.2
      TV Movie
      • creator
      • 2005

    Music Department

    • Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson in Kohde (2011)
      Kohde
      8.5
      TV Series
      • composer: main title theme
      • 2011–2016
    • James Franco in 11.22.63 (2016)
      11.22.63
      8.1
      TV Mini Series
      • composer: main title theme
      • 2016
    • Karl Urban and Michael Ealy in Almost Human (2013)
      Almost Human
      7.9
      TV Series
      • composer: main title theme
      • 2013–2014
    • Revolution (2012)
      Revolution
      6.6
      TV Series
      • main title theme
      • composer: opening theme
      • composer: main title theme
      • 2012–2013
    • Anna Torv in Fringe - rajamailla (2008)
      Fringe - rajamailla
      8.4
      TV Series
      • main title theme by
      • composer: main title theme
      • composer: theme music
      • 2008–2013
    • Sam Neill, Jorge Garcia, and Sarah Jones in Alcatraz (2012)
      Alcatraz
      6.9
      TV Series
      • composer: main title theme
      • 2012
    • Jennifer Garner in Alias (2001)
      Alias
      7.6
      TV Series
      • composer: main theme
      • 2001–2006
    • Scott Foley, Keri Russell, and Scott Speedman in Felicity (1998)
      Felicity
      6.9
      TV Series
      • composer: main title theme
      • composer: theme music
      • 1998–2002
    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos39

    Daisy Ridley Opens Up About Rey's Journey Through 'Rise of Skywalker'
    Clip 1:52
    Daisy Ridley Opens Up About Rey's Journey Through 'Rise of Skywalker'
    'Star Wars' Cast Reveal Their Biggest 'Rise of Skywalker' Challenges
    Clip 2:38
    'Star Wars' Cast Reveal Their Biggest 'Rise of Skywalker' Challenges
    J.J. Abrams, John Boyega Are Proud of the Same 'Star Wars' Scene
    Clip 2:20
    J.J. Abrams, John Boyega Are Proud of the Same 'Star Wars' Scene
    A Guide to the Films of J.J. Abrams
    Clip 2:02
    A Guide to the Films of J.J. Abrams
    Where 'Star Trek 4' Should Boldly Go
    Clip 4:16
    Where 'Star Trek 4' Should Boldly Go
    'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Cast Buckle Up for 'Crazy Adventure'
    Clip 2:15
    'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Cast Buckle Up for 'Crazy Adventure'
    What We Know About 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' ... So Far
    Clip 3:51
    What We Know About 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' ... So Far
    Director Supercut: J.J. Abrams
    Clip 1:00
    Director Supercut: J.J. Abrams
    Super 8 -- 6 Minute Scene
    Clip 6:30
    Super 8 -- 6 Minute Scene
    "Train - Sequence 4"
    Clip 0:28
    "Train - Sequence 4"
    "Train - Sequence 3"
    Clip 0:34
    "Train - Sequence 3"
    "Train - Sequence 2"
    Clip 0:35
    "Train - Sequence 2"

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official site
      • Twitter
    • Alternative names
      • JJ Abrams
    • Height
      • 1.70 m
    • Born
      • June 27, 1966
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Spouse
      • Katie McGrathSeptember 29, 1996 - present (3 children)
    • Children
        Henry Abrams
    • Parents
        Carol Abrams
    • Other works
      DVD commentary: Provided audio commentary on Pilot: Part 1 (2004) with Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk.
    • Publicity listings
      • 2 Portrayals
      • 3 Interviews
      • 18 Articles
      • 1 Pictorial

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      He says he got the job directing M:i:III (2006) after Tom Cruise watched early episodes of Alias (2001) on DVD and loved them. The two started hanging out together and Cruise offered him the job.
    • Quotes
      Tähtien sota (1977) is probably the most influential film of my generation. It's the personification of good and evil and the way it opened up the world to space adventure, the way westerns had to our parents' generations, left an indelible imprint. So, in a way, everything that any of us does is somehow directly or indirectly affected by the experience of seeing those first three films.
    • Trademarks
        High-tech, action-packed entertainment

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