James L. Brooks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James L. Brooks
Brooks in 2007
Born	James Lawrence Brooks (1940-05-09) May 9, 1940 (age 85) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Director producer screenwriter
Years active	1965–present
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Marianne Catherine Morrissey ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1972)​ Holly Beth Holmberg ​ ​ (m. 1978; div. 1999)​
Children	4
Awards	Full list

James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is a famous American director, producer, and writer. He helped create popular TV shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, and The Simpsons. He also directed well-known movies such as Terms of Endearment (1983) and As Good as It Gets (1997).

Brooks has won many important awards for his work. These include three Academy Awards (also known as Oscars) and 22 Emmy Awards. He also co-founded Gracie Films, a company that makes TV shows and movies.

Early Life and First Jobs

James Lawrence Brooks was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 9, 1940. He grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey. His parents were salespeople. His father left the family when James was young. James has described his childhood as "tough" and "lonely." He often spent time alone.

He had an older sister, Diane, who helped take care of him. He later dedicated his movie As Good as It Gets to her. As a child, James loved to read and write funny stories. He even sent some to publishers, but they were not printed.

Brooks went to Weehawken High School. He was part of the school newspaper team. He even got to interview famous people like Louis Armstrong. He looked up to many comedians and writers, including Sid Caesar and Mark Twain.

Starting a Career in Television

James Brooks started his career at CBS in New York City. He got a job as a host, which usually needed a college degree. His sister helped him get the job. He later became a writer for CBS News. He wrote about important events like the assassination of President Kennedy.

In 1965, Brooks moved to Los Angeles to work on documentaries. He later wrote for TV shows like My Mother the Car and That Girl. He also worked on The Andy Griffith Show and My Three Sons.

Creating Room 222

In 1969, Brooks created the TV series Room 222 for ABC. This show was special because it was one of the first American series to have a black lead character. This was high school teacher Pete Dixon. Brooks made sure the show dealt with serious topics. He did a lot of research at a real high school to make the show feel real.

Room 222 was praised for breaking new ground in TV. It discussed important issues of the time. It helped set the stage for other popular sitcoms in the 1970s.

Success with The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Brooks won several Emmy Awards for The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Brooks and his colleague Allan Burns were hired to create a show for actress Mary Tyler Moore. This became The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which started in 1970. Brooks used his own experience in journalism to set the show in a newsroom.

At first, some TV executives didn't like the show. But it became a huge success. It was known for showing an independent, working woman as the main character. This was new for TV at the time. Critics loved it, and it won many Primetime Emmy Awards. It was even called "one of the best shows ever" by USA Today.

Brooks and Burns also created two successful spin-off shows from Mary Tyler Moore:

• Rhoda (a comedy)
• Lou Grant (a drama, which was unusual for a spin-off from a comedy)

Developing Taxi and Other Shows

In 1978, Brooks left his previous company to co-create the sitcom Taxi. This show was about a New York taxi company. It focused on the lives of everyday working people. Taxi also won three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Brooks' TV shows were known for focusing on interesting characters. They often featured a group of actors in a non-family setting. This style influenced many shows that came after, like Seinfeld and Friends.

Moving into Film

In 1978, James Brooks started working on movies. His first film project was Starting Over (1979), which he wrote and co-produced.

Directing Award-Winning Films

His next big project was the 1983 film Terms of Endearment. Brooks wrote, produced, and directed this movie. It was a huge success. He won three Academy Awards for it: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie's star, Jack Nicholson, also won an Oscar.

Brooks then directed Broadcast News (1987). This film was a romantic comedy set in a newsroom. He did a lot of research to make the movie realistic. It was nominated for several Academy Awards.

In 1997, Brooks directed As Good as It Gets. This film also received a lot of praise. Brooks was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson both won Oscars for their roles in this movie.

Brooks also produced other popular films like Big (1988) and Jerry Maguire (1996). He helped new filmmakers like Cameron Crowe and Wes Anderson get their start.

The World of The Simpsons

Brooks in 2009

Even though he was focusing on movies, Brooks returned to TV in 1987. He helped Tracey Ullman start The Tracey Ullman Show. For this show, Brooks hired cartoonist Matt Groening. Groening created a series of short animated cartoons for the show.

These shorts were so popular that in 1989, Fox Broadcasting Company asked for a full TV series. This became The Simpsons. Brooks produced the show along with Groening and Sam Simon. He made sure that Fox could not interfere with the show's content.

The Simpsons quickly became a worldwide hit. It has won many awards and is still on TV after more than 35 years. In 1998, Time magazine called The Simpsons the best TV series of the 20th century. Brooks was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1997.

In 2007, Brooks also co-produced and co-wrote The Simpsons Movie, a feature film based on the show. He also helped create the short film The Longest Daycare (2012), which starred Maggie Simpson. It was nominated for an Academy Award.

Personal Life

James Brooks has been married twice and has four children. He is a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He has given money to Democratic Party political candidates.

In recent years, Brooks has said his main focus is The Simpsons. He is also a big fan of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team.

Filmography

Film

Short film

Television

Acting credits

Awards and Nominations

James Brooks has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards (Oscars). He won three Oscars in 1984 for Terms of Endearment. These awards were for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

He has also been nominated for 54 Primetime Emmy Awards for his TV work. He has won Emmys for shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, Lou Grant, The Tracey Ullman Show, and The Simpsons. In August 2024, he was named a Disney Legend.

See also

In Spanish: James L. Brooks para niños