James L. Brooks - Filmography

James L. Brooks
James L. Brooks
Actor
Born: 1940

Biography

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). Brooks left MTM Productions in 1978 to co-create the sitcom Taxi (1978-1983).

Brooks moved into feature film work when he wrote and co-produced the 1979 film Starting Over. His next project was the critically acclaimed film Terms of Endearment, which he produced, directed and wrote, winning an Academy Award for all three roles. He earned acclaim for his films Broadcast News (1987) and As Good as It Gets (1997). He received mixed reviews for  I'll Do Anything (1994), Spanglish (2004), and How Do You Know (2010). Brooks also produced Cameron Crowe's Say Anything... (1989) and Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket (1996).

In 1986, Brooks founded Gracie Films, a television and film company. Although he did not intend to do so, Brooks returned to television in 1987 as the producer of The Tracey Ullman Show. He hired cartoonist Matt Groening to create a series of shorts for the show, which led in 1989 to The Simpsons. The Simpsons won numerous awards and is still running after over 35 years. Brooks also co-produced and co-wrote the 2007 film adaptation of the show, The Simpsons Movie. Brooks has received 53 Emmy nominations, winning 21 of them.

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Filmography

Thank You Very Much

Thank You Very Much 2025

Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words

Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words 2025

Ella McCay

Ella McCay 2025

2024 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony

2024 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony 2024

Being Mary Tyler Moore

Being Mary Tyler Moore 2023

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life 2023

Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel

Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel 2022

The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling

The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling 2018

Harry Benson: Shoot First

Harry Benson: Shoot First 2016

Misery Loves Comedy

Misery Loves Comedy 2015

How Do You Know

How Do You Know 2010

Dreams on Spec

Dreams on Spec 2007

Spanglish

Spanglish 2004

The Simpsons: America's First Family

The Simpsons: America's First Family 2000

As Good as It Gets

As Good as It Gets 1997

I'll Do Anything

I'll Do Anything 1994

Broadcast News

Broadcast News 1987

The Tracey Ullman Show

The Tracey Ullman Show 1987

Lost in America

Lost in America 1985

Terms of Endearment

Terms of Endearment 1983

Modern Romance

Modern Romance 1981

The Associates

The Associates 1979

Real Life

Real Life 1979

Taxi

Taxi 1978

Lou Grant

Lou Grant 1977

Rhoda

Rhoda 1974

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1970

Room 222

Room 222 1969