Michael Phillips (producer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Phillips
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Phillips in 1978
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| Born | June 29, 1943 |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College (B.A.) New York University (J.D.) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Picture (1973) Palme d'Or (1976) |
Michael Phillips (born June 29, 1943) is an American film producer. He is famous for helping to create many well-known movies. These include The Sting, Taxi Driver, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He even won an Academy Award for Best Picture!
Contents
Early Life and School
Michael Phillips was born in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up on Long Island. His mother was a schoolteacher. His father worked in clothing manufacturing. Later, his parents became dealers in ancient Asian art. Michael went to Dartmouth College. He earned a degree in history there. He then studied law at New York University School of Law.
After finishing school, he worked on Wall Street. In 1971, he moved to Malibu, California. There, he and his first wife, Julia, produced their first movie. It was called Steelyard Blues. It starred Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.
Making Movies: A Producer's Journey
In 1972, Michael Phillips, his wife Julia Phillips, and producer Tony Bill worked together. They helped develop the script for a movie called The Sting. In 1973, The Sting won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Michael and Julia were the first husband-and-wife team to win this top award.
The couple then produced two more big movies. One was Taxi Driver, which won the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. The other was Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Later, Michael Phillips started his own company, Mercury Entertainment. This company aimed to make several films each year. Some of its movies included The Flamingo Kid (1984) and Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991). In 2006, Mercury Entertainment joined with Debmar Studios. They formed Debmar-Mercury, which is now part of Lions Gate Entertainment.
Michael Phillips's films have received many honors. The Sting was added to the Producers Guild of America's Hall of Fame. In 2007, Taxi Driver was named one of the best American films ever by the American Film Institute. Also in 2007, Close Encounters was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry. This means it is considered very important.
Michael Phillips's Filmography
Michael Phillips has been a producer for many films and television shows.
Films Produced
| Year | Film Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Steelyard Blues | Producer |
| The Sting | Producer | |
| 1976 | Taxi Driver | Producer |
| The Big Bus | Executive producer | |
| 1977 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Producer |
| 1981 | Heartbeeps | Producer |
| 1982 | Cannery Row | Producer |
| 1984 | The Flamingo Kid | Producer |
| 1991 | Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead | Executive producer |
| Eyes of an Angel | Executive producer | |
| 1992 | Mom and Dad Save the World | Producer |
| 1997 | Mimic | Executive producer |
| 2001 | Impostor | Executive producer |
| 2007 | The Last Mimzy | Producer |
Television Shows Produced
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Flamingo Kid | Producer | Television pilot |
| 1994 | Jane's House | Executive producer | Television film |
| The Companion | Producer | Television film | |
| 1995 | Trailer Park | Co-executive producer | |
| 2024 | Earth Abides | Executive producer |
Personal Life
Michael Phillips is a Trustee Professor at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. He has taught there for several years.
He has been married to writer Juliana Maio since 1987. They have three daughters named Kate, Amanda, and Natasha.
