Jim Sharman facts for kids

James David Sharman (born 12 March 1945) is a famous Australian director and writer. He has worked on over 70 plays and films. He is well-known in Australia for directing theatre since the 1960s. Around the world, he is most famous for directing the musical The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He also directed its movie version, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), and the follow-up film, Shock Treatment (1981).

Life and Career

Early Life and Education

Jim Sharman was born in Sydney, Australia. His father, James Michael Sharman Jr., ran a traveling boxing show. This show was started by Jim's grandfather, also named Jimmy Sharman. Growing up, Jim spent time at Australian showgrounds. This meant he learned a lot about circuses and traveling entertainment.

He became interested in theatre. In 1966, he finished a production course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. This school helps people learn about acting and theatre.

Directing Stage Musicals

After NIDA, Sharman started directing new and experimental plays. When he was just 21, he directed a challenging opera called Don Giovanni for Opera Australia.

Over the next ten years, he directed three very popular rock musicals:

• Hair in 1969. He directed it in Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Boston. He also helped design the Sydney show.
• Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972. This show toured Australia and played in London.
• The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He created this musical with Richard O'Brien. It first opened in London and later played in Sydney, Los Angeles, Melbourne, and New York City.

Directing Films

Jim Sharman also worked in movies. He helped write the script and directed the very popular film The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. This movie became a "cult hit," meaning it has a very dedicated fan base. He also directed Shock Treatment in 1981, which was loosely based on The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

He directed another film called The Night the Prowler. The script for this movie was written by famous Australian writer Patrick White. This was the only film script White ever had produced.

Sharman often worked with a talented designer named Brian Thomson. They worked together on many successful stage shows like Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Rocky Horror Show. They also collaborated on films like Shirley Thompson vs. the Aliens, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Shock Treatment.

Later Theatre Work

In the years that followed, Sharman directed many new plays and Australian premieres. He directed several plays by Patrick White in the late 1970s. These plays included The Season at Sarsaparilla, Big Toys, Netherwood, and A Cheery Soul. Many people believe his work helped bring Patrick White's plays back into the spotlight.

In 1982, Sharman was the artistic director for the Adelaide Festival of Arts. While there, he started a theatre company called Lighthouse. This company focused on new and bold ways of staging classic plays. They also showed new works by important Australian writers like Louis Nowra and Patrick White. Many famous Australian actors worked with Lighthouse, including Geoffrey Rush and John Wood.

As a freelance director, Sharman continued to direct plays. In 2005, he won a Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Play for his work on Three Furies: Scenes from the Life of Francis Bacon. He also directed operas, including a new production of Mozart's Così fan tutte in 2009.

Memoirs

In August 2008, Jim Sharman's book, Blood and Tinsel, was published. In this book, he shares stories about growing up with his family's boxing troupe. He also talks about his experiences directing The Rocky Horror Picture Show and his many other productions.

Awards and Recognition

In 2025, Jim Sharman was given a special award called Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his "distinguished service to the performing arts as a writer and director." It is a high honor in Australia.

Select Films

Jim Sharman directed these films:

• Arcade (1970) – a short film
• Shirley Thompson vs. the Aliens (1972)
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
• Summer of Secrets (1976)
• The Night the Prowler (1978)
• Shock Treatment (1981)

Awards and Nominations

The Helpmann Awards celebrate live entertainment and performing arts in Australia.