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IMDbPro

Alexander Payne(I)

  • Producer
  • Director
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Alexander Payne at an event for Downsizing (2017)
From 'Citizen Ruth' to 'The Descendants,' here's a look at some of our favorite moments from the films of Alexander Payne.
Play clip1:46
Alexander Payne | Director Supercut
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Director, producer and screenwriter Alexander Payne was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents, Peggy (Constantine) and George Payne, ran a Greek restaurant. His father is of Greek and German ancestry, and his mother is of Greek descent; the family name was originally Papadopoulos. He is the youngest of three brothers.

Alexander attended Stanford University, where he majored in Spanish and History. He then went on to study film at UCLA Film School. His university thesis film was screened at the Sundance film festival, which led to him being backed by Miramax to write and direct Citizen Ruth (1996). Payne prefers to have control over his movies, from scripts to cast.
BornFebruary 10, 1961
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornFebruary 10, 1961
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Won 2 Oscars
    • 83 wins & 127 nominations total

Photos155

Alexander Payne in Downsizing (2017)
Alexander Payne and Hong Chau in Downsizing (2017)
Phedon Papamichael and Alexander Payne in Downsizing (2017)
Matt Damon, Udo Kier, Alexander Payne, Christoph Waltz, and Hong Chau in Downsizing (2017)
Stefania Cella and Alexander Payne in Downsizing (2017)
Matt Damon and Alexander Payne in Downsizing (2017)
George Clooney and Alexander Payne in The Descendants (2011)
Alexander Payne in The Descendants (2011)
Alexander Payne in The Descendants (2011)
Jack Nicholson and Alexander Payne in About Schmidt (2002)
Alexander Payne in About Schmidt (2002)
Darla Rothman and Alexander Payne.

Known for:

Bruce Dern in Nebraska (2013)
Nebraska
7.7
  • Director
  • 2013
George Clooney in The Descendants (2011)
The Descendants
7.3
  • Producer
  • 2011
Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon in Election (1999)
Election
7.3
  • Director
  • 1999
Sideways (2004)
Sideways
7.5
  • Director
  • 2004

Credits

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IMDbPro

Producer

  • Small Town Wisconsin (2020)
    Small Town Wisconsin
    • executive producer
    • 2020
  • Richard Jenkins and Shane Paul McGhie in The Last Shift (2020)
    The Last Shift
    • executive producer
    • 2020
  • Christina Applegate, Thomas Haden Church, and Domhnall Gleeson in Crash Pad (2017)
    Crash Pad
    • executive producer
    • 2017
  • Matt Damon in Downsizing (2017)
    Downsizing
    • producer
    • 2017
  • Run Fast (2015)
    Run Fast
    • executive producer
    • Short
    • 2015
  • Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter
    • executive producer
    • 2014
  • Yolonda Ross and Levi Fiehler in Breaking Night (2012)
    Breaking Night
    • executive producer
    • Short
    • 2012
  • Hung (2009)
    Hung
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2009–2011
  • L Train (2011)
    L Train
    • executive producer
    • Short
    • 2011
  • George Clooney in The Descendants (2011)
    The Descendants
    • producer
    • 2011
  • Ed Helms in Cedar Rapids (2011)
    Cedar Rapids
    • producer (produced by)
    • 2011
  • Sideways (2009)
    Sideways
    • executive producer
    • 2009
  • Michael Douglas and Evan Rachel Wood in King of California (2007)
    King of California
    • producer
    • 2007
  • The Savages (2007)
    The Savages
    • executive producer
    • 2007
  • Gray Matters (2006)
    Gray Matters
    • executive producer
    • 2006

Director

  • The Holdovers
    • Director
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • Matt Damon in Downsizing (2017)
    Downsizing
    • Director
    • 2017
  • Bruce Dern in Nebraska (2013)
    Nebraska
    • Director
    • 2013
  • George Clooney in The Descendants (2011)
    The Descendants
    • Director
    • 2011
  • Hung (2009)
    Hung
    • Director (directed by)
    • TV Series
    • 2009
  • from Cinema16: American Short Films (DVD)
    Cinema16: American Short Films
    • Director
    • Video
    • 2006
  • Paris, je t'aime (2006)
    Paris, je t'aime
    • Director (segment 14e arrondissement)
    • 2006
  • Sideways (2004)
    Sideways
    • Director
    • 2004
  • Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (2002)
    About Schmidt
    • Director
    • 2002
  • Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon in Election (1999)
    Election
    • Director
    • 1999
  • Laura Dern in Citizen Ruth (1996)
    Citizen Ruth
    • Director
    • 1996
  • Inside Out III (1992)
    Inside Out III
    • Director
    • Video
    • 1992
  • The Passion of Martin (1991)
    The Passion of Martin
    • Director
    • 1991
  • Inside Out (1991)
    Inside Out
    • Director (episode "My Secret Moments")
    • Video
    • 1991
  • Carmen (1985)
    Carmen
    • Director
    • Short
    • 1985

Writer

  • Matt Damon in Downsizing (2017)
    Downsizing
    • written by
    • 2017
  • George Clooney in The Descendants (2011)
    The Descendants
    • screenplay
    • 2011
  • Sideways (2009)
    Sideways
    • story and characters
    • 2009
  • Adam Sandler and Kevin James in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
    I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
    • screenplay
    • 2007
  • Paris, je t'aime (2006)
    Paris, je t'aime
    • Writer (segment 14e Arrondissement)
    • 2006
  • Sideways (2004)
    Sideways
    • screenplay
    • 2004
  • Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (2002)
    About Schmidt
    • screenplay
    • 2002
  • Jurassic Park III (2001)
    Jurassic Park III
    • written by
    • 2001
  • Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon in Election (1999)
    Election
    • screenplay
    • 1999
  • Laura Dern in Citizen Ruth (1996)
    Citizen Ruth
    • written by
    • 1996
  • The Passion of Martin (1991)
    The Passion of Martin
    • Writer
    • 1991
  • Inside Out (1991)
    Inside Out
    • written by (segment My Secret Moments)
    • Video
    • 1991
  • Carmen (1985)
    Carmen
    • written by
    • Short
    • 1985
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos3

Alexander Payne | Director Supercut
Clip 1:46
Alexander Payne | Director Supercut
The Envelope Screening Series
Featurette 2:33
The Envelope Screening Series
Hong Chau: The Breakout Star of 'Downsizing'
Video 1:46
Hong Chau: The Breakout Star of 'Downsizing'

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
  • Born
    • February 10, 1961
    • Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Spouses
      Maria KontouSeptember 2015 - ? (filed for divorce, 1 child)
  • Parents
      Peggy Constantine
  • Publicity listings
    • 3 Interviews
    • 8 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Is on the short list of directors who has final cut rights to his films.
  • Quotes
    [on Reese Witherspoon in Election (1999)] She inhabited that role fully, but she can do all these other roles. You see a woman in her, not a girl. She's going to be interesting for a long time.
  • Trademarks
      Often sets his films in and around Omaha, Nebraska.

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