Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins | |
---|---|
Born | Brian Levine November 22, 1963 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor, director, producer, screenwriter |
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouse(s) | Laura Cathcart (div. 2013) Tracy James (m. 2014) |
Children | 3 |
Parent(s) |
|
Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), known professionally as Brian Robbins, is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who is the President of Kids & Family Entertainment at ViacomCBS.[1] As of 2018, he is the President of Nickelodeon.[2] He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.[3]
Early life[]
Robbins was born Brian Levine in Brooklyn, New York City on November 22, 1963.[3] When Robbins was 16, his family moved to Los Angeles.[4] He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.[5]
Career[]
Following his father, prolific character actor Floyd Levine, into acting,[3] Robbins made his television acting debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D.[5] He guest starred on a number of television series and had a recurring role on General Hospital.[5] As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.[5] He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989.
In the 1990s, he started producing All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon.[3] He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also One Tree Hill.
Robbins is the founder of AwesomenessTV, a YouTube channel aimed at teenagers, which has spun off into a TV series, of which Robbins is the executive producer.[6] DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013.[7] On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Brian Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, thus ending his five-year run with the company.[8]
On June 7, 2017, Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. Robbins will work with Viacom’s Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and BET brands to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties".[9]
On October 1, 2018, Robbins left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom tapped him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio. Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players' Nickelodeon films.[10]
Personal life[]
Robbins is of Jewish faith.[11] He was married to publicist Laura Cathcart, with whom he has two sons, Miles and Justin; they divorced in 2013. The following year, Robbins married his ex-wife's friend, Tracy James. They have a daughter named Stella.[12][13]
Filmography[]
Film[]
Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | The Show | Yes | Yes | Documentary film |
1997 | Good Burger | Yes | Yes | |
1999 | Varsity Blues | Yes | Yes | |
2000 | Ready to Rumble | Yes | No | |
2001 | Hardball | Yes | Yes | |
2004 | The Perfect Score | Yes | Yes | |
2006 | The Shaggy Dog | Yes | No | |
2007 | Norbit | Yes | Executive | Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
2008 | Meet Dave | Yes | No | |
2012 | A Thousand Words | Yes | Yes | Filmed in 2008 |
Producer only
- Summer Catch (2001)
- Big Fat Liar (2002) (Also story writer)
- Radio (2003)
- Coach Carter (2005)
- Wild Hogs (2007)
- The To Do List (2013)
- Before I Fall (2017)
- Bigger Fatter Liar (2017) (Executive producer)
Television[]
Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer |
Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | Head of the Class | No | No | Yes | Episode "Will the Real Arvid Engen Please Stand Up?" |
1994 | All That | No | Yes | Yes | Also creator |
1996 | Kenan & Kel | Yes | Yes | No | 5 episodes |
1998-2001 | Cousin Skeeter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also creator; Wrote "A Family Thing", directed "Skeeter's Toy Story" |
1999 | Popular | Yes | No | No | Episode "The Phantom Menace" |
2001 | The Nightmare Room | Yes | Yes | No | Episode "Four Eyes" |
2002 | Birds of Prey | Yes | Yes | No | Episode "Pilot" |
2005 | All That 10th Anniversary Reunion Special | No | No | Yes | TV special |
2010 | Blue Mountain State | Yes | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
2011 | Supah Ninjas | Yes | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
Executive producer only
- The Amanda Show (2000-2001)
- Smallville (2001-2011)
- The Nick Cannon Show (2002)
- What I Like About You (2002-2006)
- One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
- Crumbs (2006)
- Sonny with a Chance (2009-2011)
- Fred: The Movie (2010)
- So Random! (2011-2012)
- AwesomenessTV (2013-2015)
Acting credits[]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1982 | Harper Valley PTA | Charlie's Nephew | Episode "The Return of Charlie's Chow Palace" |
Archie Bunker's Place | Danny Ferguson | Episode "Double Date" | |
The Facts of Life | Ben | Episode "For the Asking" | |
Taxi[14] | Young Man | Episode "Alex the Gofer" | |
1983 | Teachers Only | Vinnie Minetti | Episodes "Praise the Lord and Pasta Ammunition" & "Rex, the Wonder Husband" |
Three's Company | Mark Furley | Episode "Janet's Little Helper" | |
Knight Rider | Randy Merritt | Episode "Soul Survivor" | |
1984 | Diff'rent Strokes | Skyhigh | Episode "Undercover Lover" |
Newhart | Rob | Episode "The Fan" | |
1985 | Charles in Charge | Todd Baldwin | Episode "Mr. President" |
Growing Pains | Mitch | Episode "Dirt Bike" | |
1986 | The Gladiator | Jeff Benton | TV movie |
Mr. Belvedere | Eric | Episode "The Dropout" | |
1986–1991 | Head of the Class | Eric Mardian | 114 episodes |
1987 | Kids Incorporated | Brian | Episode "Win a Date with Renee" |
1988 | Cellar Dweller | Phillip Lemley | |
1989 | C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. | Steve Williams | |
1990 | Camp Cucamonga | Roger Berg | TV movie |
1992 | Full House | David Janolari | Episodes "Captain Video: Part 1" and "Captain Video: Part 2" |
1997 | Kenan & Kel | Risotto | Episode "Safe and Sorry" |
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | Heartland Film Festival | Won | Crystal Heart Award | Hardwood Dreams (shared with Mike Tollin) |
1995 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Informational Special | Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream (shared with Debra Martin Chase, Fredric Golding, Dorian Harewood, David Houle, Tom McMahon, Pat Mitchell, Jack Myers, Vivian Schiller, Mike Tollin, Denzel Washington) |
1996 | CableACE Award | Won | Children's Special - 7 and Older | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (shared with Leonard Armato, Bruce Binkow, Robert Mickelson, Shaquille O'Neal, Mike Tollin, For the special "4 Points") |
1997 | Directors Guild of America Award | Nominated | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (for the special "4 Points") |
1998 | Won | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (shared with W. Alexander Ellis, Cynthia Riddle, Brad Uecker: for episode "First Time") | |
2005 | Black Movie Awards | Nominated | Outstanding Motion Picture | Coach Carter (shared with David Gale, Mike Tollin) |
References[]
- ^ "About | ViacomCBS". About | ViacomCBS.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2018). "Brian Robbins Named President Of Nickelodeon". Deadline. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Koch, Neal (1 December 2002). "Business; Stepping Up in TV, Without Stepping on Toes". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Nicewonger, Kirk (30 July 1988). "Busy, busy time for Brian Robbins". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Knutzen, Eirik (4 October 1987). "Rebel jumps to 'Head of the Class'". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ Chmielewski, Dawn C. (August 7, 2012). "YouTube channel AwesomenessTV attracts outside funding". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Lieberman, David (May 1, 2013). "DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $33M+ For AwesomenessTV". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Jarvey, Natalie (February 22, 2017). "Brian Robbins and AwesomenessTV". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ McNary, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins". Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 1, 2018). "Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ Bloom, Nate. "Interfaith Celebrities: Meet Dave, Elizabeth Banks, and Jean Sarkozky". InterfaithFamily. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ Rus, Mayer. "Inside a Dreamy Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent–Designed 1925 Tudor". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ "Brian Robbins". Turner Classic Movies.
- ^ Michael Lessac (director) (2014). Taxi: Die Finale Season [The Final Season] (DVD) (in German and English). Germany: Paramount Home Media Distribution / Paramount Home Entertainment (Germany).
External links[]
- 1963 births
- Living people
- Male actors from New York City
- Film producers from New York (state)
- American people of Jewish descent
- American game show hosts
- American male television actors
- American television directors
- Jewish American male actors
- Television producers from New York City
- Film directors from New York City
- People from Brooklyn
- Directors Guild of America Award winners
- Grant High School (Los Angeles) alumni
- Nickelodeon executives