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Jay Roach
Jay Roach (2013).JPG
Roach in 2013
Born
Mathew Jay Roach

(1957-06-14) June 14, 1957 (age 68)
Other names M. Jay Roach
Alma mater Stanford University (BA)
University of Southern California (MFA)
Occupation Filmmaker
Years active 1986–present
Notable work
Austin Powers
Mystery, Alaska
Meet the Parents
Dinner for Schmucks
The Campaign
Trumbo
Spouse(s)
(m. 1993)
Children 2

Mathew Jay Roach (born June 14, 1957) is an American filmmaker. He is famous for directing many popular movies. These include the funny Austin Powers movies. He also directed Meet the Parents, Dinner for Schmucks, and The Campaign.

Jay Roach has also directed and produced important TV movies. These include Recount, Game Change, and All the Way. These films are about real political events. For his work, he has won four Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early Life and Education

Jay Roach was born and grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His father worked for the military. Jay finished Eldorado High School in 1975.

He went to Stanford University and earned a degree in economics in 1980. Later, he studied film production. He received a special degree (M.F.A.) from the University of Southern California in 1986.

Filmmaking Career

Jay Roach started his career by working on music videos. His first job was as a cameraman for a music video in 1988. He directed his first movie, Zoo Radio, in 1990.

He became well-known for directing Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). This was a spy comedy movie starring Mike Myers. Jay Roach also directed the next two Austin Powers movies in 1999 and 2002.

Directing Popular Comedies

In 1999, he directed Mystery, Alaska, a sports comedy-drama. He continued to direct many successful comedies. These include Meet the Parents (2000) and its sequel Meet the Fockers (2004). He also directed Dinner for Schmucks (2010) and The Campaign (2012).

Later, Jay Roach directed a different type of movie. He made Trumbo (2015), which was a true story about a writer.

Directing Political TV Dramas

Jay Roach is also praised for his work on HBO political drama films. He directed Recount (2008). This film was about the 2000 U.S. presidential election. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for this movie.

He then directed Game Change (2012). This film was about the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign. It became one of the most-watched films on HBO. This movie also earned him more Primetime Emmy Awards. He also won a Golden Globe Award and a Peabody Award for it.

In 2016, he directed All the Way. This film was about President Lyndon B. Johnson. It also earned Jay Roach two more Emmy nominations.

Personal Life

Jay Roach is married to Susanna Hoffs. She is a musician and actress from the band The Bangles. They got married in 1993 and have two sons. Jay Roach was raised as a Southern Baptist. He later converted to Judaism before marrying Susanna Hoffs.

Selected Filmography

Film Director and Producer

Year Title Director Producer
1990 Zoo Radio Yes No
1997 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Yes No
1999 Austin Powers: The Spy Who S'''**''' Me Yes No
Mystery, Alaska Yes No
2000 Meet the Parents Yes Yes
2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember Yes No
2004 Meet the Fockers Yes Yes
2010 Dinner for Schmucks Yes Yes
2012 The Campaign Yes Yes
2015 Trumbo Yes Uncredited
2025 The Roses Yes Yes

Television Director and Producer

TV series

Year Title Director Executive
Producer
Notes
2004 American Candidate No Yes 10 episodes
2005 Earth to America Yes No TV special
2015 The Brink Yes Yes 10 episodes
2023 High Desert Yes Yes 8 episodes

TV movies

Year Title Director Executive
Producer
2008 Recount Yes Yes
2012 Game Change Yes Yes
2016 All the Way Yes Yes
2020 Coastal Elites Yes Yes

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2008 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Television Movie Recount Won
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special Won
2009 Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film Won
Golden Globe Award Best Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Producers Guild of America Award Best Long-Form Television Nominated
2012 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Television Movie Game Change Won
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special Won
2013 Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film Won
Golden Globe Award Best Miniseries or Television Movie Won
Producers Guild of America Award Best Long-Form Television Won
2016 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Television Movie All the Way Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special Nominated
2017 Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film Nominated

See also

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