Jerry Bruckheimer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jerry Bruckheimer
Bruckheimer at a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2013
Born	Jerome Leon Bruckheimer (1943-09-21) September 21, 1943 (age 81) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Arizona (BA)
Occupation	Film producer television producer advertiser
Years active	1972–present
Organization	Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Notable work	Pirates of the Caribbean Bad Boys National Treasure Beverly Hills Cop Top Gun CSI Armageddon Black Hawk Down
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Bonnie Fishman ​ ​ (m. 1969; div. 1974)​ Linda Cobb

Jerry Bruckheimer (born September 21, 1943) is a famous American film and television producer. He has created many popular movies and TV shows. His work often includes action, drama, comedy, fantasy, horror, and science fiction stories.

After working in advertising, Bruckheimer started producing films in the 1970s. In the 1980s and 1990s, he worked with another producer, Don Simpson. Together, they made many hit movies. Some of his most well-known films include Flashdance, The Rock, Armageddon, and movie series like Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, Bad Boys, Pirates of the Caribbean, and National Treasure.

Jerry Bruckheimer also has his own production company, Jerry Bruckheimer Films. His movies have been released by big studios like Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Disney. His TV shows have been made with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. In 2003, he made history by producing the two highest-earning films in a single weekend: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Bad Boys II. In 2023, his movie Top Gun: Maverick was even nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.

He is also famous for his TV shows, especially crime dramas like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and Without a Trace. He also produces the reality competition show The Amazing Race, which has won many awards. In 2003, three of his TV shows were among the top ten most-watched in the U.S.

Bruckheimer is also a co-owner of the Seattle Kraken, a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League.

Early Life and First Jobs

Jerry Bruckheimer was born on September 21, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were immigrants from Germany. He went to Mumford High School in Detroit. After high school, he moved to Arizona for college.

He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in psychology. From a young age, Jerry loved movies and photography. He would take pictures whenever he could. After college, he started working in advertising in Detroit and New York City. He even helped create a TV commercial for Pepsi.

A Career in Movies and TV

Starting in Film: The 1970s and 1980s

Jerry Bruckheimer began producing films in the 1970s. He first worked with director Dick Richards. They made movies like The Culpepper Cattle Company and Farewell, My Lovely.

In the 1980s, he teamed up with producer Don Simpson. Their first big hit together was Flashdance in 1983, which made a lot of money. They went on to produce many successful films for Paramount Pictures. These included the Beverly Hills Cop movies, Top Gun, and Days of Thunder. Top Gun was the first movie he made with director Tony Scott. The first Beverly Hills Cop film helped make Eddie Murphy a huge star.

Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson were known for their different skills. Bruckheimer was called "Mr. Outside" because he was good at the actual filmmaking. Simpson was "Mr. Inside" because he knew many people in the film industry. Their last movie together was The Rock. After Don Simpson passed away in 1996, Bruckheimer dedicated The Rock to his memory.

Big Movies in the 1990s

Bruckheimer (right) and Michael Bay during the filming of 1998's Armageddon

Even after Don Simpson's death, Jerry Bruckheimer continued to produce many action films. He often worked with director Michael Bay. Together, they made big hits like Armageddon. Other popular movies he produced include Remember the Titans, Black Hawk Down, and the start of the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

TV Shows, Video Games, and More in the 2000s

Since 1996, Bruckheimer has also made a name for himself in television. He created many popular police dramas. The most famous is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He also produces the reality game show The Amazing Race. At one point, six of his TV shows were on the air at the same time. Three of them were even among the top 10 most-watched shows!

In 2007, Bruckheimer announced plans to work with MTV to create a new video game studio. He also joined the board of directors for ZeniMax Media, a big video game company. In 2009, he launched Jerry Bruckheimer Games.

Independent Work and Sports in the 2010s

In 2013, Jerry Bruckheimer Games closed down. In 2014, after some movies like The Sorcerer's Apprentice and The Lone Ranger didn't do as well, Bruckheimer decided to work independently from Disney. He then signed a new deal with Paramount. He talked about making new Beverly Hills Cop and Top Gun 2 movies.

Christopher McQuarrie, Kenneth R. Whitesell, Tom Cruise, Joseph Kosinski and Bruckheimer at the global premiere of Top Gun: Maverick

In 2016, Jerry Bruckheimer Television became an independent company. The next year, it signed a deal with CBS Television Studios.

Jerry Bruckheimer also became an investor in a new sports arena in Las Vegas. He was also part of a group that wanted to bring an NHL team to Seattle. The NHL Board of Governors approved the team, named the Seattle Kraken, in 2018. The team started playing in the 2021–22 season.

Impact on the Film Industry

Movies That Make a Big Impact

Bruckheimer (center) with Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise in June 2013

The movie Top Gun was made with help from the Pentagon. It aimed to improve the image of the U.S. Navy and attract new recruits. Top Gun was the first big collaboration between Hollywood and the Navy. This movie helped start a trend of military films in the 1990s and beyond.

In 2003, Variety magazine honored Bruckheimer. He was the first producer in Hollywood to have the top two highest-earning films in a single weekend. These were the action-comedy Bad Boys II and the Disney adventure Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Variety said that Bruckheimer's movies are known for their "high-energy visuals and exciting stories."

The Pirates of the Caribbean film series was incredibly successful. It showed Bruckheimer's talent for creating very profitable projects. The first movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, came out in 2003. It was a huge hit with both critics and audiences. Because it was so successful, Disney decided to make a trilogy. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was released in 2006. This sequel broke records worldwide on its first day. It became one of the fastest movies to earn over $1 billion. The third film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, came out in 2007. Two more movies, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, were released later. Overall, the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have earned over $4.5 billion worldwide.

Jerry Bruckheimer's Thoughts on Filmmaking

When asked what the film industry owes its audience, Jerry Bruckheimer said, "We are in the transportation business. We transport audiences from one place to another." This means he believes movies should take viewers on an exciting journey. He also said he makes films for the audience, not just for critics.

In an interview in 1984, he explained his role as a producer. He said, "We put together all the elements. We decide what style is right for a picture. We are as much a part of the process as the director."

Personal Life

Bruckheimer at the 2014 WonderCon

Jerry Bruckheimer has been married twice. He lives in Los Angeles with his second wife, novelist Linda Cobb Bruckheimer. He has one stepdaughter named Alexandra. The couple owns farms in Kentucky and California.

When asked about his favorite movies, Bruckheimer mentioned classics like The Godfather, The French Connection, Good Will Hunting, and The 400 Blows.

In 2006, the University of Arizona honored him with a special Doctorate of Fine Arts degree.

Helping Others

Jerry Bruckheimer has supported many good causes. He has publicly helped the fight against multiple sclerosis through The Nancy Davis Foundation for MS. He also set up the Jerry Bruckheimer Foundation to help various causes.

Bruckheimer has also helped repair and restore the historic ship, Cutty Sark. In 2007, he displayed a collection of his photos in London to raise money for the Cutty Sark Conservation Project. These photos were taken on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Political Support

Jerry Bruckheimer has donated money to Republican political campaigns and groups. He supported John McCain's 2008 presidential election campaign and the 2012 Mitt Romney Victory Fund.

Filmography

All films were produced by him, unless otherwise noted.

Film

Films from Paramount Pictures

Films from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Films from Sony Pictures Releasing

Films from Warner Bros.

Other Films

Television

Co-producer

• Fearless (2004)
• Take the Money and Run (2011)

Executive producer

Awards and Recognitions

Jerry Bruckheimer has received many awards and honors for his work:

• 1998: ShoWest Producer of the Year Award
• 2000: Producers Guild of America's David O. Selznick Award for Lifetime Achievement
• 2003: Named the "No. 1 most-powerful person in Hollywood" by Entertainment Weekly magazine.
• 2003–2009, 2011–2012, 2014: Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program for The Amazing Race.
• 2006: Ranked #10 on Premiere's "Power 50" list.
• 2013: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, near the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

His productions have also won many awards:

• Academy Award: 47 nominations, 7 wins
• Grammy Award: 8 nominations, 5 wins
• Golden Globe: 23 nominations, 4 wins
• Emmy Award: 77 nominations, 17 wins
• Peabody award for visionary award
• People's Choice Awards: 8 nominations, 4 wins

Images for kids

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  Bruckheimer at a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2013

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  Bruckheimer (right) and Michael Bay during the filming of 1998's Armageddon

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  Christopher McQuarrie, Kenneth R. Whitesell, Tom Cruise, Joseph Kosinski and Bruckheimer at the global premiere of Top Gun: Maverick

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  Bruckheimer (center) with Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise in June 2013

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  Bruckheimer at the 2014 WonderCon

See also

In Spanish: Jerry Bruckheimer para niños