Jerry Bruckheimer
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Jerome Leon Bruckheimer (born September 21, 1945) is an American film and television producer in the genre of action, drama, and science fiction. Bruckheimer's best known television series is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (the first series of the franchise). Bruckheimer's best known movies include Armageddon and Pirates of the Caribbean (Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest, and At Worlds End).
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[edit] Early life
Bruckheimer was born in Detroit, Michigan to Jewish immigrants from Germany. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona.
A film buff at an early age with an interest in photography, Bruckheimer was a photo fanatic and would take snapshots when he had the opportunity. After college, Bruckheimer moved to New York City where he worked in the mail room of an advertising agency. Eventually, Bruckheimer segued into commercial producing when he got wind of an opportunity to produce a motion picture. Subsequently, Bruckheimer moved to Los Angeles.
[edit] Producing television and films
During the 1980s and 1990s, he was a co-producer with the late Don Simpson of a string of highly successful Hollywood films for Paramount Pictures. His first big hit was with 1983's Flashdance, and he had a number of others including the Beverly Hills Cop films, Top Gun, and Days of Thunder. The Rock was the last film in which Bruckheimer collaborated with Simpson, due to Simpson's untimely death. Subsequently, Bruckheimer stipulated that The Rock be dedicated to the memory of Simpson (this fact is mentioned at the end of the movie).
Despite the setback of the untimely death of Simpson in 1996, Bruckheimer has continued to produce a large number of action movies often working with director Michael Bay for several hits including Armageddon. His other hit movies produced include Remember the Titans, Black Hawk Down and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Most of Bruckheimer's films feature elaborate special effects, a thumping pop music soundtrack, simplistic plots, and highly telegenic if sometimes improbable cast members. As a result, his films are often a financial success while being critically panned.
Since 1997 he has branched out into television, creating a number of police dramas of which CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has been the most successful. He has also produced the reality game show The Amazing Race.
[edit] Personal life
Bruckheimer has been married twice, and currently lives in Bardstown, Kentucky.
In May 2006, he was honored with a doctor of fine arts degree from the University of Arizona's College of Fine Arts.
He is also one of the few Hollywood personalities who supports President Bush outspokenly. He has, however, donated more money to Democratic candidates.
[edit] Filmography (producer)
[edit] Film
- The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless (2009)
- Sins of the Round Table (2008)
- Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2008)
- G-Force (2008)
- National Treasure 2 (2007)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End (2007)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
- Déjà Vu (2006)
- Glory Road (2006)
- National Treasure (2004)
- King Arthur (2004)
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Bad Boys 2 (2003)
- Veronica Guerin (2003)
- Kangaroo Jack (2003)
- Bad Company (2002)
- Pearl Harbor (2001)
- Black Hawk Down (2001)
- Remember the Titans (2000)
- Coyote Ugly (2000)
- Gone In Sixty Seconds (2000)
- Armageddon (1998)
- Enemy of the State (1998)
- Con Air (1997)
- The Rock (1996)
- Dangerous Minds (1995)
- Crimson Tide (1995)
- Bad Boys (1995)
- The Ref (1994)
- Days of Thunder (1990)
- Beverly Hills Cop 2 (1987)
- Top Gun (1986)
- Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- Thief of Hearts (1984)
- Flashdance (1983)
- Young Doctors in Love (1982)
- Cat People (1982)
- Thief (1981)
- Defiance (1980)
- American Gigolo (1980)
- March or Die (1977)
- Farewell, My Lovely (1975)
- Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins (1975) (associate producer)
- The Culpepper Cattle Company (1972) (associate producer)
[edit] Television
[edit] TV Movie
- Fearless (2004) TV Movie (co-producer, exec. producer)
- Swing Vote (1999) TV Movie (exec. producer)
- Max Q (1998) TV Movie (exec. producer)
[edit] Reality Television
- The Amazing Race 10 (2006) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 9 (2006) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 8 (2005) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 7 (2005) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 6 (2004) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 5 (2004) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 4 (2003) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 3 (2002) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 2 (2002) TV Series (exec. producer)
- The Amazing Race 1 (2001) TV Series (exec. producer)
[edit] Comedy
- Modern Men (2006) TV series (exec. producer)
[edit] Drama
- Justice (2006) TV Series (exec. producer)
- E-Ring (2005-2006) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Close to Home (2005-present) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Just Legal (2005-2006) TV Series (exec. producer)
- CSI: NY (2004-present) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Skin (2003) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Cold Case (2003-present) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Profiles from the Front Line (2003) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Without a Trace (2002-present) TV Series (exec. producer)
- CSI: Miami (2002-present) TV Series (exec. producer)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (1999-present) TV Series (exec. producer)
- Soldier of Fortune, Inc. (1997-1998) TV Series (exec. producer)
[edit] See also
- Don Simpson (fellow producer and Bruckheimer's former business partner)
- Action film
- Drama film
- Science fiction film
- Executive producer
- Television producer
- Entertainment industry
- Television series
[edit] External links
- Jerry Bruckheimer Films
- Jerry Bruckheimer at the Internet Movie Database
- Interview, 1/12/06, LIFETEEN.com
- Bruckheimer has a Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream IV tail number N477JB.