James L. Brooks
Known for
James L. Brooks is an American producer of the sort audiences rarely picture working in the part of the industry that stays out of frame. If one credit has to stand in for the rest, it is 'The Simpsons Movie'. 'The Edge of Seventeen' is a second title with real reach. Most of this work was done in rooms the audience never sees.
James L. Brooks
13 Movies
13 Series
James L. Brooks is an American producer of the sort audiences rarely picture working in the part of the industry that stays out of frame. If one credit has to stand in for the rest, it is 'The Simpsons Movie'. 'The Edge of Seventeen' is a second title with real reach. Most of this work was done in rooms the audience never sees.
TV Shows
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words
Full Filmography
Ella McCay
Director
2025
Film
The Simpsons: A Serious Flanders
Writer
2021
Film
Maggie Simpson in "Playdate with Destiny"
Writer
2020
Film
Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"
Writer
2012
Film
How Do You Know
Director
2010
Film
The Simpsons Movie
Screenplay
2007
Film
Spanglish
Director
2004
Film
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror
Writer
2003
Film
As Good as It Gets
Director
1997
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is James L. Brooks and where are they from?
James L. Brooks is 86 years old, born on May 9, 1940 in North Bergen, New Jersey, USA.
What are the most famous roles of James L. Brooks?
James L. Brooks is best known for directing The Simpsons Movie, As Good as It Gets, Spanglish.
How many movies has James L. Brooks directed?
Over a 52-year career (since 1974), James L. Brooks has directed or written 13 films and worked on 13 TV shows.
What was James L. Brooks's first movie?
The career of James L. Brooks began with Thursday's Game (1974).
What is James L. Brooks's most recent movie or series?
James L. Brooks's most recent release is Ella McCay, which premiered on December 11, 2025.
What TV shows has James L. Brooks created or directed?
On television, James L. Brooks has appeared in The Simpsons, Taxi, The Andy Griffith Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
James L. Brooks
1940-05-09 · North Bergen, New Jersey, USA
James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American director, producer, screenwriter and co-founder of Gracie Films. He co-created the sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, and The Simpsons and directed the films Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), and As Good as It Gets (1997). He received numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, 22 Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.
Brooks started his career as an usher at CBS, going on to write for the CBS News broadcasts. He moved to Los Angeles in 1965 to work on David L. Wolper's documentaries. He wrote for My Mother the Car and My Friend Tony and created the series Room 222. Grant Tinker hired Brooks and producer Allan Burns at MTM Productions to create The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970. Brooks and Burns then created two successful spin-offs from Mary Tyler Moore: Rhoda (a comedy) and Lou Grant (a drama). Brooks left MTM Productions in 1978 to co-create the sitcom Taxi (1978-1983).
Brooks moved into feature film work when he wrote and co-produced the 1979 film Starting Over. His next project was the critically acclaimed film Terms of Endearment, which he produced, directed and wrote, winning an Academy Award for all three roles. He earned acclaim for his films Broadcast News (1987) and As Good as It Gets (1997). He received mixed reviews for I'll Do Anything (1994), Spanglish (2004), and How Do You Know (2010). Brooks also produced Cameron Crowe's Say Anything... (1989) and Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket (1996).
In 1986, Brooks founded Gracie Films, a television and film company. Although he did not intend to do so, Brooks returned to television in 1987 as the producer of The Tracey Ullman Show. He hired cartoonist Matt Groening to create a series of shorts for the show, which led in 1989 to The Simpsons. The Simpsons won numerous awards and is still running after over 35 years. Brooks also co-produced and co-wrote the 2007 film adaptation of the show, The Simpsons Movie. Brooks has received 53 Emmy nominations, winning 21 of them.James L. Brooks, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.