David N. Weiss

David N. Weiss is an American writer, lecturer and labor leader. He is a screenwriter of films, including All Dogs go to Heaven, The Rugrats Movie, Shrek 2, Clockstoppers, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie and The Smurfs and has also written for television shows such as Mission Hill.

Weiss was nominated for a prime time Emmy Award for his work on Rugrats Mother's Day and two of his films were nominated for Academy Awards™ (Shrek 2 & Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius - "Best Animated Feature"). The Smurfs spent a record-breaking 7 weeks at #1, world-wide. His combined box office now exceeds $2.3 billion, world wide. (Unfortunately, since most of his films are animated and not covered under the WGA agreement with the studios, he has received little "back end" payment and his parents haven't completely forgiven him for not becoming a doctor).

With his writing partner, J. David Stem, Mr. Weiss served as a head writer of the Rugrats TV Series and penned the acclaimed perennial Rugrats Chanukah. Other TV credits include the hit CBS series, Cybill (exec. story editor) The CW’s Mission Hill (co-producer) and Nickelodeon’s Roundhouse.

Mr. Weiss also co-wrote the family hit, Are We There Yet, starring Ice Cube, Paramount Pictures’ adventure film, Clockstoppers and served as co-executive producer/show-runner on Focus on the Family’s popular StoryKeepers video series.

An honors business grad of Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA (B.S. Business Admin, Magna Cum Laude), Mr. Weiss received his master’s degree from the USC School of Cinematic Arts (MFA Production). Prior to teaming with Mr. Stem, he wrote and directed several award-winning shorts and penned the screenplay for the MGM Classic, All Dogs Go To Heaven.

A member of the Motion Picture Academy and former Vice President of the Writer’s Guild of America, Mr. Weiss has traveled the world, teaching and lecturing on writing and religion. He has also written three books for children, including Kay Thompson’s bestseller, Eloise in Hollywood (with Mr. Stem, for Simon & Schuster). Mr. Weiss lives in Los Angeles with his Wife (Eliana), their children (Channah and Sam), plus 3 cats, 2 birds, a tortoise and Sandy the dog.

Weiss is a graduate of Buena High School in Ventura, CA.

In 2005, he was elected vice-president of the Writers Guild of America, West.

In 2009, after serving two terms as vice-president, Weiss was elected secretary-treasurer of the Writers Guild of America, West.^[1]

Weiss is a patron of the Insight Film Festival,^[2] a biennial, interfaith festival held in Manchester, UK, to make positive contributions to understanding, respect and community cohesion^[3]

He is sometimes credited as David Weiss.

Weiss was born Jewish, converted to Christianity, then returned to Judaism.^[4][5] Weiss’s first project after coming back to Judaism was the one of which he said he is most proud: the Rugrats Hanukkah special, which continues to be aired each year come December.^[4]

References

External links

• ‘Shrek 2’ Writer Gets His Happy Ending, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, Gaby Wenig, July 2, 2004.
• Jewish Impact Films
• Blue and white all over
• David N. Weiss at the Internet Movie Database