J. J. Abrams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids J. J. Abrams
Abrams in 2015
Born	Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (1966-06-27) June 27, 1966 (age 58) New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	Sarah Lawrence College
Occupation	Film director film producer screenwriter composer
Years active	1982–present
Spouse(s)	Katie McGrath ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	3, including Gracie
Parent(s)	Gerald W. Abrams Carol Ann Kelvin

J. J. Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is an American filmmaker and composer. He is famous for his work in action, drama, and science fiction movies and TV shows.

Abrams has written and produced many popular films. These include Regarding Henry (1991), Forever Young (1992), Armageddon (1998), and Cloverfield (2008). He also worked on big hits like Star Trek (2009), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). His movies have earned over $4 billion worldwide. This makes him one of the highest-grossing film directors ever.

He has also created many TV series. Some of these are Felicity (1998–2002), Alias (2001–2006), Lost (2004–2010), and Fringe (2008–2013). For Lost, Abrams won two Emmy Awards. These were for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series.

Abrams has directed several major films. These include Mission: Impossible III (2006), Star Trek (2009), Super 8 (2011), and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). He also directed, produced, and co-wrote The Force Awakens. This was the seventh movie in the Star Wars saga. It is his highest-earning film and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. He later returned to Star Wars to direct and co-write Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Abrams often works with the same talented people. This includes producer Bryan Burk, actors Greg Grunberg and Keri Russell, and composer Michael Giacchino.

Early Life and Education

Jeffrey Jacob Abrams was born on June 27, 1966. His birthplace was New York City, New York. His father, Gerald W. Abrams, was a TV producer. His mother, Carol Ann Abrams, was a TV executive producer and author.

When J. J. was young, his family moved to Los Angeles. He went to Palisades Charter High School. After high school, he decided to go to Sarah Lawrence College. This college is in Bronxville, New York.

Film and TV Career

Starting Out in Movies

Abrams began working in movies at age 16. He wrote music for the 1982 horror film Nightbeast. In college, he wrote a movie idea with Jill Mazursky. This idea became his first produced film, Taking Care of Business. It starred Charles Grodin and James Belushi.

He then wrote Regarding Henry, starring Harrison Ford. He also wrote Forever Young, with Mel Gibson. Later, he co-wrote the comedy Gone Fishin'.

In 1998, Abrams helped write the movie Armageddon. That same year, he started in television. He co-created and produced Felicity for The WB Network. He also wrote its opening theme music.

Big Successes in the 2000s

Abrams at the 2010 Time 100 Gala in Manhattan

In 2001, Abrams started his own company, Bad Robot. With Bad Robot, he created and produced Alias for ABC. He also co-created and produced Lost. Abrams wrote the theme music for both Alias and Lost. He directed the first two parts of the Lost pilot episode.

In 2001, Abrams also co-wrote and produced the thriller Joy Ride. In 2006, he directed his first feature film. This was Mission: Impossible III, starring Tom Cruise.

In 2008, Abrams produced the monster movie Cloverfield. In 2009, he directed the science fiction film Star Trek. He also co-created and executive produced the FOX series Fringe. He composed the theme music for Fringe too.

Directing Blockbusters in the 2010s

Abrams speaking at San Diego Comic-Con in mid-2010

Abrams wrote and directed the science fiction thriller Super 8. It was released in 2011. He co-produced it with Steven Spielberg.

He then directed Star Trek Into Darkness, released in 2013. This film was a sequel to his 2009 Star Trek movie. Critics generally liked the film.

In 2013, Disney and Lucasfilm announced Abrams would direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This was the seventh movie in the Star Wars saga. Abrams directed, produced, and co-wrote the screenplay. The film opened on December 18, 2015. It was a huge success at the box office. Some people felt it was too similar to the original 1977 Star Wars film. Abrams explained that he wanted to introduce new characters while honoring the past.

Abrams produced Star Trek Beyond in 2016. He also produced The Cloverfield Paradox (2018) and Overlord (2018). He also produced the fourth, fifth, and sixth Mission: Impossible movies.

In 2017, Abrams returned to direct and co-write Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The film was released in December 2019.

Recent Work in the 2020s

In 2019, Abrams and his Bad Robot company signed a big deal with WarnerMedia. This included projects for HBO and Warner Bros. Pictures. In 2020, it was announced Abrams would develop three new shows for HBO Max.

Abrams was a producer for an animated short film. It was called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. It was shown on BBC One in 2022.

He also served as executive producer and co-creator for a new Batman animated series. It is called Batman: Caped Crusader. The first episodes premiered in August 2024.

In May 2024, it was announced Abrams would write and direct a new film. Glen Powell is in early talks to star in it.

Future projects for Abrams include Flowervale Street, a Hot Wheels movie, and an animated film based on Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go!.

Bad Robot Production Company

Bad Robot's Santa Monica headquarters

In 2001, J. J. Abrams started his own production company. It is called Bad Robot. The company works with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures.

Bad Robot first focused on TV shows. Its first movie was Joy Ride (2001). Bad Robot is known for TV shows like Lost. It also produced the recent Star Trek movies and most of the Mission: Impossible films. Bad Robot also produced the Cloverfield movies and the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Other Projects

Video Games and Books

As of 2015, Abrams was working on a video game called Spyjinx. He collaborated with Bad Robot and Chair Entertainment.

In 2013, a novel called S. was released. It was written by Doug Dorst based on an idea by Abrams.

In 2019, Abrams started writing for Marvel Comics. He co-authored the comic book series Spider-Man with his son, Henry. The story features Ben Parker, the son of Peter Parker and Mary Jane.

Personal Life

J. J. Abrams is married to Katie McGrath. She works in public relations. They have three children. His daughter, Gracie Abrams, is a pop singer-songwriter. The family lives in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California.

Abrams is Jewish, and his wife is Catholic. He sometimes takes his children to religious services on Jewish holidays.

He is also involved in important causes. Abrams serves on the Creative Council of Represent.Us. This is a group that works against corruption. He also supports the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF). In 2024, he signed a letter urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill about AI safety.

Filmography

Film

Acting credits

Other roles

Television

Executive producer only

• What About Brian (2006–07)
• Six Degrees (2006–07)
• Believe (2014)
• 11.22.63 (2016) (Miniseries)
• Roadies (2016)
• Westworld (2016–2022)
• Castle Rock (2018–19)
• Little Voice (2020)
• Lovecraft Country (2020)
• Challenger: The Final Flight (2020)
• Lisey's Story (2021) (Miniseries)
• UFO (2021)
• Presumed Innocent (2024)
• Batman: Caped Crusader (2024–present)

Acting credits

Theatre

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: J. J. Abrams para niños