Brian Robbins
Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), better known as Brian Robbins, is an American film and television producer and director. He has been the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon since 2021, and is also the CCO of the Kids & Family division of Paramount+. In 2012, he co-founded the media network AwesomenessTV.
Brian Robbins | |
|---|---|
Robbins in 2023 | |
| Born | Brian Levine November 22, 1963 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouses | Laura Cathcart (div. 2013)Tracy James (m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Floyd Levine (father) |
Prior, Robbins was a main cast member for the television series Head of the Class (1986–1991), and joined Nickelodeon in 1994 as the creator/lead writer of the sketch comedy series All That the same year. He made his directorial debut in 1995 with the hip hop documentary The Show, and directed the hit teen comedy film Good Burger two years later. Despite moderate commercial success, the critical reception for his productions has been largely negative.[1]
Early life edit
Robbins was born Brian Levine in New York City's Brooklyn borough into a Jewish family on November 22, 1963, the son of actor Floyd Levine.[2] When he was 16, he moved with his family to Los Angeles.[3] He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.[4]
Career edit
Following his father into acting,[2] Robbins made his television debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D.[4] He guest starred on a number of television series and had a recurring role on General Hospital.[4] As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.[4] He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989.
In the 1990s, Robbins started producing the show All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon.[2] He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also One Tree Hill. He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.[2]
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.[5] DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013.[6] On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, thus ending his five-year run with the company.[7]
On June 7, 2017, Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. He worked with Viacom's brands Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties".[8] On October 1, 2018, he left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom chose him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio.[9] Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players division Nickelodeon Movies.[10] He became head of Paramount Pictures in September 2021.[11][12]
Personal life edit
He married publicist Laura Cathcart and they had two sons together, Miles and Justin, before divorcing in 2013. He married stylist Tracy James in 2014.[13] They have a daughter named Stella and live with his sons in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[13][14]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| 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 edit
| 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)
Special thanks edit
- Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2019)
- The Loud House (2019–present)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (2019–present)
- Middle School Moguls (2019)
- Blaze and the Monster Machines (2019–present)
- Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019)
- The Casagrandes (2019–2022)
- Blue's Clues & You! (2019–2024)
- It's Pony (2020–present)
- Glitch Techs (2020)
- Santiago of the Seas (2020–present)
- Baby Shark's Big Show! (2020–present)
- Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (2021–present)
- Rugrats (2021–present)
- The Patrick Star Show (2021–present)
- Middlemost Post (2021–2022)
Acting credits edit
| 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[15] | 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 edit
| 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 edit
- ^ "Don't Make Fun of Brian Robbins: Here's Why Paramount's Best Hope is the Director of 'Norbit'". September 26, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Koch, Neal (December 1, 2002). "Business; Stepping Up in TV, Without Stepping on Toes". The New York Times. from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ Nicewonger, Kirk (July 30, 1988). "Busy, busy time for Brian Robbins". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Knutzen, Eirik (October 4, 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" April 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Lieberman, David (May 1, 2013). "DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $33M+ For AwesomenessTV" July 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Jarvey, Natalie (February 22, 2017). "Brian Robbins and AwesomenessTV" March 6, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ McNary, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins". from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2018). "Brian Robbins Named President Of Nickelodeon". Deadline. from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 1, 2018). "Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "About | ViacomCBS". ViacomCBS. from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (September 13, 2021). "Paramount Pictures Revamp Made Official By ViacomCBS: Jim Gianopulos Exits, Brian Robbins Takes Over; David Nevins Adds Par TV To Portfolio". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Rus, Mayer (February 26, 2020). "Inside a Dreamy Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent–Designed 1925 Tudor". Architectural Digest. from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- ^ "Brian Robbins". Turner Classic Movies. from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ 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).