- Known For
- Production
- Born
- May 9, 1940
- Place of Birth
- North Bergen, New Jersey, USA
James L. Brooks
James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American director, producer, screenwriter and co-founder of Gracie Films. He co-created the sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, and The Simpsons and directed the films Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), and As Good as It Gets (1997). He received numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, 22 Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. Brooks started his career as an usher at CBS, going on to write for the CBS News broadcasts. He moved to Los Angeles in 1965 to work on David L. Wolper's documentaries. He wrote for My Mother the Car and My Friend Tony and created the series Room 222. Grant Tinker hired Brooks and producer Allan Burns at MTM Productions to create The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970. Brooks and Burns then created two successful spin-offs from Mary Tyler Moore: Rhoda (a comedy) and Lou Grant (a drama). Broo…
Filmography
movieThe Simpsons Movie 2
2027 · Producer
movieExtreme Makeover: Homer Edition
2026 · Executive Producer
movieElla McCay
2025 · Director, Writer, Producer
moviePaddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words
2025 · Self
movieThank You Very Much
2025 · Self
movieThe Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful
2024 · Producer, Executive Producer
movieThe Most Wonderful Time of the Year
2024 · Producer
movieDisney Legends Awards Ceremony
2024 · Self
movieMay the 12th Be with You
2024 · Producer
movieAlbert Brooks: Defending My Life
2023 · Self
movieMaggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One"
2023 · Producer
movieAre You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
2023 · Producer
movieBeing Mary Tyler Moore
2023 · Self (voice)
movieHans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel
2022 · Self
movieWelcome to the Club
2022 · Producer
movieWhen Billie Met Lisa
2022 · Producer
movieThe Simpsons in Plusaversary
2021 · Producer
movieThe Simpsons: A Serious Flanders
2021 · Writer, Executive Producer
movieThe Simpsons | Balenciaga
2021 · Producer
movieThe Good, the Bart, and the Loki
2021 · Producer
movieMaggie Simpson in "The Force Awakens from Its Nap"
2021 · Producer
movieMaggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny"
2020 · Writer, Producer
movieAlan Pakula: Going for Truth
2019 · Self
movieIcebox
2018 · Producer
tvThe Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
2018 · Self
movieThe Edge of Seventeen
2016 · Producer
movieHarry Benson: Shoot First
2016 · Self
movieMike Nichols: An American Master
2016 · Self
movieMisery Loves Comedy
2015 · Self
movieRide
2014 · Thanks
movieMaggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
2012 · Writer, Producer
movie50/50
2011 · Thanks
movieHans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood
2011 · Self
movieJames L. Brooks: A Singular Voice
2011 · Self (archive footage)
movieHow Do You Know
2010 · Director, Producer, Writer
movieThe Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special - In 3D! On Ice!
2010 · Self
movieThe Making of 'Bottle Rocket'
2008 · Self
movieA Terrifying Message from Al Gore
2007 · Thanks
movieThe Simpsons Movie
2007 · Screenplay, Producer
movieDreams on Spec
2007 · Self
movieSpanglish
2004 · Director, Producer, Writer
movieJack Nicholson: The Joker Is Wild
2004 · Self
movieThe Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror
2003 · Writer
movieRiding in Cars with Boys
2001 · Producer
tvWhat About Joan?
2001 · Producer
movieThe Simpsons: America's First Family
2000 · Self
movieThe Simpsons: Too Hot For TV
1999 · Scenario Writer
movieThe Director's Vision: Hollywood's Best Discuss Their Craft
1998 · himself
movieAs Good as It Gets
1997 · Director, Screenplay, Producer
movieJerry Maguire
1996 · Producer
movieBottle Rocket
1996 · Executive Producer
movieI'll Do Anything
1994 · Director, Writer, Producer
tvThe Critic
1994 · Producer
tvPhenom
1993 · Producer
tvSibs
1991 · Producer
movieMy Own Private Idaho
1991 · Thanks
The Best of the Tracey Ullman Show
movieThe Best of the Tracey Ullman Show
1990 · Executive Producer
tvThe Simpsons
1989 · James L. Brooks (voice), Writer, Executive Producer
movieThe War of the Roses
1989 · Producer
tvPrisoners of Gravity
1989 · Self
movieSay Anything...
1989 · Executive Producer
movieBig
1988 · Producer
movieBroadcast News
1987 · Director, Producer, Writer
tvThe Tracey Ullman Show
1987 · Writer, Executive Producer, Creator
movieJumpin' Jack Flash
1986 · Thanks
movieLost in America
1985 · Party Guest (uncredited)
movieTerms of Endearment
1983 · Director, Screenplay, Producer
movieModern Romance
1981 · David
movieCarlton Your Doorman
1980 · Characters
movieStarting Over
1979 · Producer, Screenplay
tvThe Associates
1979 · Producer, Creator
movieReal Life
1979 · Driving Evaluator
tvTaxi
1978 · Writer, Executive Producer, Creator
movieCindy
1978 · Writer, Producer
tvLou Grant
1977 · Executive Producer, Creator
movieAudience Research
1976 · Paul Reynold
tvSaturday Night Live
1975 · Paul Reynolds (uncredited)
Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers
tvPaul Sand in Friends and Lovers
1974 · Creator
tvRhoda
1974 · Producer, Writer, Creator
movieThursday's Game
1974 · Writer, Producer
tvThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1970 · Rabbi (uncredited), Writer, Executive Producer, Creator
tvRoom 222
1969 · Creator
tvThe Doris Day Show
1968 · Writer
tvAccidental Family
1967 · Writer
tvThat Girl
1966 · Writer
tvMy Mother the Car
1965 · Writer
tvThe Andy Griffith Show
1960 · Writer
movieThe Process
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