Rian Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rian Johnson
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![]() Johnson in 2017
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Born |
Rian Craig Johnson
December 17, 1973 Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
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Alma mater | University of Southern California |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1990–present |
Known for |
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Spouse(s) |
Karina Longworth
(m. 2018) |
Relatives | Aaron Johnson (brother) Nathan Johnson (cousin) |
Rian Craig Johnson (born December 17, 1973) is an American filmmaker. He is known for writing and directing many popular movies and TV shows. His first movie was the mystery film Brick (2005), which was made with a small budget but earned good reviews.
Later, Johnson became famous for writing and directing the science-fiction thriller Looper (2012). He then took on a huge project, writing and directing Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), which made over $1 billion worldwide. He also returned to mystery films with Knives Out (2019) and its sequel Glass Onion (2022). Both films earned him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
Johnson also directed three highly praised episodes of the TV series Breaking Bad (2008–2013), including "Ozymandias". He also created a new mystery TV series called Poker Face for Peacock, starring Natasha Lyonne. In 2023, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
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Early life and education
Rian Johnson was born on December 17, 1973, in Silver Spring, Maryland. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, before moving to San Clemente, California, in sixth grade. He went to San Clemente High School, where his first movie, Brick, was mostly filmed.
After high school, he studied at the University of Southern California. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 1996. One of his early short films, Evil Demon Golfball from Hell!!!, was based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe.
Filmmaking career
Johnson has shared that he was inspired to become a film director after watching Woody Allen's 1977 film, Annie Hall. He said it moved him in a special way.
First films and music videos
Johnson's first movie, Brick, was a crime drama released in 2005. It was made for less than $500,000. Johnson often mentioned that he used the writing style of author Dashiell Hammett as inspiration for the film's unique language. Even though Brick is a film noir (a type of crime film), Johnson focused on telling the story rather than just copying the style of other noir films.
In 2006, Johnson directed a music video for the Mountain Goats' song "Woke Up New." He is a big fan of the band. He also directed a live concert film for the band's 2009 album, The Life of the World to Come.
His second film, The Brothers Bloom, was a story about con artists. It was released in May 2009 and received good reviews from critics.
Television work
In March 2010, Johnson announced he would direct an episode of the TV series Breaking Bad. The episode, "Fly", aired in May 2010. He directed two more episodes for the show: "Fifty-One" in 2012 and "Ozymandias" in 2013. "Ozymandias" was highly praised by critics and is often called one of the best TV episodes ever. Johnson won a Directors Guild of America Award for his work on "Fifty-One."
Johnson has also made several short films. One of his high school short films, Ninja Ko, can be found as a hidden feature on the Brick DVD. He also directed a short film called Escargots with actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Paris. In 2002, he directed The Psychology of Dream Analysis.
Major film projects
Johnson's third film, Looper, started filming in Louisiana in January 2011. It was released on September 28, 2012. This movie is a dark science fiction story set in the near future. It is about hitmen who get rid of victims sent back from the future. Looper was a big success at the box office.
On June 20, 2014, it was announced that Johnson would write and direct the eighth film in the Star Wars series. He confirmed this news the next month. The film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, was released on December 15, 2017. It received positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
After The Last Jedi, Johnson directed the murder mystery film Knives Out. It starred Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, and Christopher Plummer. Johnson wrote the script and produced the film with his long-time partner, Ram Bergman. Knives Out was released on November 27, 2019. It was a huge hit with critics and audiences, earning over $300 million worldwide. Johnson received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for this film.
In September 2019, Johnson and Ram Bergman started their own company called T-Street. This company creates new movies and TV shows.
Because Knives Out was so successful, a sequel was approved in February 2020. Johnson returned to write and direct it. In March 2021, it was announced that Johnson was writing and directing a ten-episode mystery TV series for Peacock called Poker Face. It premiered on January 26, 2023.
In 2021, Netflix bought the rights to two sequels for Knives Out. The first sequel, Glass Onion, began filming on June 28, 2021. It was shown in theaters for one week in November 2022 before streaming on Netflix starting December 23. In March 2024, Johnson signed a deal with Warner Bros. to produce two more films through his T-Street studio.
Personal life
Rian Johnson enjoys playing the banjo and is a folk singer. His brother, Aaron Johnson, is a music producer. His cousin, Nathan Johnson, has composed the music for many of Rian's films, including Brick, The Brothers Bloom, Looper, Knives Out, and Glass Onion. Rian and Nathan also have a folk music duo called the Preserves.
Since 2018, Johnson has been married to Karina Longworth. She is a film writer, historian, and podcaster. They met when she was working as a film critic.
Filmography
Feature film
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
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2005 | Brick | Yes | Yes | No | Also editor |
2008 | The Brothers Bloom | Yes | Yes | No | |
2012 | Looper | Yes | Yes | No | |
2017 | Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Yes | Yes | No | |
2019 | Knives Out | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
2022 | Glass Onion | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
2025 | Wake Up Dead Man | Yes | Yes | Yes | Post-production |
Executive producer
- Fair Play (2023)
- American Fiction (2023)
Short film
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Editor |
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1990 | Ninja Ko, the Origami Master | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1997 | Evil Demon Golfball from Hell!!! | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2001 | Ben Boyer and the Phenomenology of Automobile Marketing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2002 | The Psychology of Dream Analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Television
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive producer | Episode | Notes |
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2010 | Terriers | Yes | No | No | "Manifest Destiny" | |
Breaking Bad | Yes | No | No | "Fly" | ||
2012 | Yes | No | No | "Fifty-One" | ||
2013 | Yes | No | No | "Ozymandias" | ||
2014 | HitRecord on TV | No | Yes | No | "RE: Trash" | |
2023 | Poker Face | Yes | Yes | Yes | "Dead Man's Hand" | Creator |
Yes | No | Yes | "The Night Shift" | |||
Yes | No | Yes | "Escape from ... Mountain" | |||
No | Yes | Yes | "The Hook" | |||
2025 | Yes | No | Yes | "The Game Is a Foot" | ||
2024 | 3 Body Problem | No | No | Yes |
Other works
Documentary films
- The Mountain Goats: The Life of the World to Come (2010)
Music videos
Year | Title | Artist |
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2008 | "Woke Up New" | The Mountain Goats |
2018 | "Oh Baby" | LCD Soundsystem |
Commercials
Year | Title | Product | Ref. |
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2020 | Look Closer | Pokémon Go Fest |
Acting roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2015 | BoJack Horseman | Bryan (voice) | Episodes: "Yes, And" and "Out to Sea" |
2016 | Rogue One | Imperial Technician | Cameo role |
2017 | Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Luke Skywalker's Hand | Cameo; as Hand double |
Technical credits
Year | Title | Role |
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1995 | Omaha | Production Assistant |
1997 | Greater Than a Tiger | Editor |
1998 | Phyfutima | Camera Operator |
2002 | May | Editor |
Frequent collaborators
Work
Person
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2005 | 2008 | 2012 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023– | 2025 |
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt | ![]() |
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Nora Zehetner | ![]() |
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Lukas Haas | ![]() |
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Noah Segan | ![]() |
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Andy Nyman | ![]() |
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Daniel Craig | ![]() |
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K Callan | ![]() |
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Natasha Lyonne | ![]() |
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Ram Bergman (producer) |
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Steve Yedlin (cinematographer) |
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Bob Ducsay (editor) |
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Nathan Johnson (composer) |
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Awards and recognition
Year | Work | Award | Result |
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2005 | Brick | Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Originality of Vision | Won |
Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize | Nominated | ||
2006 | Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | |
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Overlooked Film | Nominated | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Director | Won | ||
Citizen Kane Award for Best Directorial Revelation | Won | ||
Deauville Film Festival Grand Special Prize | Won | ||
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Breakthrough Filmmaker | Nominated | ||
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best First Feature | Nominated | ||
Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award | Nominated | ||
2007 | Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best First Film | Won | |
Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer | Nominated | ||
2008 | The Brothers Bloom | Stockholm International Film Festival Bronze Horse | Nominated |
2012 | Looper | Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won |
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form) | Nominated | ||
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay | Won | ||
National Board of Review Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
2013 | Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | |
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Director | Nominated | ||
Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation | Nominated | ||
Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Saturn Award for Best Director | Nominated | ||
Breaking Bad | Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series (Episode: "Fifty-One") |
Won | |
2018 | Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Empire Award for Best Director | Won |
Saturn Award for Best Director | Nominated | ||
Saturn Award for Best Writing | Won | ||
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form) | Nominated | ||
Circuit Community Awards for Honorable Mentions | Won | ||
Denver Film Critics Society for Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation | Nominated | ||
2019 | Knives Out | Fantastic Fest Audience Award | Nominated |
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film | Won | ||
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay | Won | ||
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Award for Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Phoenix Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay | Won | ||
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Nominated | ||
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
2020 | Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | |
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Award for Best Studio Film | Won | ||
Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay | Won | ||
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Nominated | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Screenplay, Original | Nominated | ||
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy | Nominated | ||
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | ||
2023 | Glass Onion | Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Won |
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Won | ||
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Won | ||
Capri Hollywood International Film Festival Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Won | ||
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Nominated | ||
Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | ||
Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Rian Johnson para niños