Few producers become household names, but J.J. Abrams isn't just any old producer. He not only created the series
Felicity,
Alias and
Lost---he also wrote, directed and even composed music for them. The son of veteran TV producer Gerald W. Abrams, J.J. sold his first screenplay before graduating from college. After a string of films that included
Regarding Henry,
Forever Young and
Armageddon, Abrams turned to the tube in the late '90s. A tireless multitasker, Abrams also began to delve into directing feature films, most notably
Mission: Impossible III (2006) and
Star Trek (2009).
J.J. Abrams Fast Facts:
- Got his first taste of show business when, at age 8, he toured Universal Studios with his grandfather. Also at 8, Abrams received a super 8mm camera and began making amateur films.
- Met Matt Reeves, his collaborator on Felicity, at a student film festival when he was 13.
- While a senior at Sarah Lawrence College, wrote his first feature-length screenplay, Taking Care of Business (1990) with Jill Mazursky, the daughter of producer-director Paul Mazursky (who produced the film).
- As Jeffrey Abrams, had small acting roles in the films Regarding Henry (1991), which he also scripted; Diabolique (1996); and Six Degrees of Separation (1993).
- J.J. Abrams Relationships:
- Katie McGrath - Wife
- Gerald W. Abrams - Father
- Gracie Abrams - Daughter
- Henry Abrams - Son
- Carol Abrams - Mother
- August Abrams - Son
- J.J. Abrams Awards:
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Drama Series - Winner
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series - Winner
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Drama Series - Nominee
- 2010 Emmy: Outstanding Drama Series - Nominee
- 2002 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Drama Series - Nominee
- College:
- Attended University of Paris, Paris, France; Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY (BA)