Brian Robbins
Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), known professionally as Brian Robbins, is an American actor, film executive and filmmaker who is the current president and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.[1][2] He also serves as chief content officer of Kids & Family at Paramount+.
Brian Robbins | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Robbins in 1988 | |
| Born | Brian Levine November 22, 1963 |
| Occupation(s) | President and CEO of Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) | Laura Cathcart (div. 2013) Tracy James (m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
|
In September 2021, it was announced that he would replace Jim Gianopulos as head of Paramount.
Early life
Robbins was born Brian Levine in Brooklyn, New York City on November 22, 1963.[3] When Robbins was 16, his family moved to Los Angeles.[4] He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.[5]
Career
Following his father, prolific character actor Floyd Levine, into acting,[3] Robbins made his television acting debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D.[5] He guest starred on a number of television series and had a recurring role on General Hospital.[5] As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.[5] He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989.
In the 1990s, he started producing All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon.[3] He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also One Tree Hill. He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.[3]
Robbins is the founder of AwesomenessTV, a YouTube channel aimed at teenagers, which has spun off into a TV series, of which Robbins is the executive producer.[6] DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013.[7] On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Brian Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, thus ending his five-year run with the company.[8]
On June 7, 2017, Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. Robbins worked with Viacom's brands Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and BET to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties".[9]
On October 1, 2018, Robbins left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom chose him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio. Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players' division Nickelodeon Movies.[10] He became head of Paramount Pictures in September 2021, replacing veteran studio head Jim Gianopulos.[11]
Personal life
Robbins is Jewish.[12] He was married to publicist Laura Cathcart, with whom he has two sons, Miles and Justin; they divorced in 2013. The following year, Robbins married Tracy James. They have a daughter named Stella.[13][14]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Show | Yes | Yes | Documentary film |
| 1997 | Good Burger | Yes | Yes | |
| 1999 | Varsity Blues | Yes | Yes | |
| 2000 | Ready to Rumble | Yes | No | |
| 2001 | Hardball | Yes | Yes | |
| 2004 | The Perfect Score | Yes | Yes | |
| 2006 | The Shaggy Dog | Yes | No | |
| 2007 | Norbit | Yes | Executive | Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
| 2008 | Meet Dave | Yes | No | |
| 2012 | A Thousand Words | Yes | Yes | Filmed in 2008 |
Producer only
- Summer Catch (2001)
- Big Fat Liar (2002) (Also story writer)
- Radio (2003)
- Coach Carter (2005)
- Wild Hogs (2007)
- The To Do List (2013)
- Before I Fall (2017)
- Bigger Fatter Liar (2017) (executive producer)
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer |
Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Head of the Class | No | No | Yes | Episode "Will the Real Arvid Engen Please Stand Up?" |
| 1994 | All That | No | Yes | Yes | Also creator |
| 1996 | Kenan & Kel | Yes | Yes | No | 5 episodes |
| 1998-2001 | Cousin Skeeter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also creator; Wrote "A Family Thing", directed "Skeeter's Toy Story" |
| 1999 | Popular | Yes | No | No | Episode "The Phantom Menace" |
| 2001 | The Nightmare Room | Yes | Yes | No | Episode "Four Eyes" |
| 2002 | Birds of Prey | Yes | Yes | No | Episode "Pilot" |
| 2005 | All That 10th Anniversary Reunion Special | No | No | Yes | TV special |
| 2010 | Blue Mountain State | Yes | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Supah Ninjas | Yes | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
Executive producer only
- The Amanda Show (2000–2001)
- Smallville (2001–2011)
- The Nick Cannon Show (2002)
- What I Like About You (2002–2006)
- One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
- Crumbs (2006)
- Sonny with a Chance (2009–2011)
- Fred: The Movie (2010)
- So Random! (2011–2012)
- AwesomenessTV (2013–2015)
Special thanks
- Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2019)
- The Loud House (2019–present)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (2019–present)
- Middle School Moguls (2019)
- Blaze and the Monster Machines (2019–present)
- Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019)
- The Casagrandes (2019–2022)
- Blue's Clues & You! (2019–present)
- It's Pony (2020–present)
- Glitch Techs (2020)
- Santiago of the Seas (2020–present)
- Baby Shark's Big Show! (2020–present)
- Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (2021–present)
- Rugrats (2021–present)
- The Patrick Star Show (2021–present)
- Middlemost Post (2021–present)
Acting credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Harper Valley PTA | Charlie's Nephew | Episode "The Return of Charlie's Chow Palace" |
| Archie Bunker's Place | Danny Ferguson | Episode "Double Date" | |
| The Facts of Life | Ben | Episode "For the Asking" | |
| Taxi[15] | Young Man | Episode "Alex the Gofer" | |
| 1983 | Teachers Only | Vinnie Minetti | Episodes "Praise the Lord and Pasta Ammunition" & "Rex, the Wonder Husband" |
| Three's Company | Mark Furley | Episode "Janet's Little Helper" | |
| Knight Rider | Randy Merritt | Episode "Soul Survivor" | |
| 1984 | Diff'rent Strokes | Skyhigh | Episode "Undercover Lover" |
| Newhart | Rob | Episode "The Fan" | |
| 1985 | Charles in Charge | Todd Baldwin | Episode "Mr. President" |
| Growing Pains | Mitch | Episode "Dirt Bike" | |
| 1986 | The Gladiator | Jeff Benton | TV movie |
| Mr. Belvedere | Eric | Episode "The Dropout" | |
| 1986–1991 | Head of the Class | Eric Mardian | 114 episodes |
| 1987 | Kids Incorporated | Brian | Episode "Win a Date with Renee" |
| 1988 | Cellar Dweller | Phillip Lemley | |
| 1989 | C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. | Steve Williams | |
| 1990 | Camp Cucamonga | Roger Berg | TV movie |
| 1992 | Full House | David Janolari | Episodes "Captain Video: Part 1" and "Captain Video: Part 2" |
| 1997 | Kenan & Kel | Risotto | Episode "Safe and Sorry" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Heartland Film Festival | Won | Crystal Heart Award | Hardwood Dreams (shared with Mike Tollin) |
| 1995 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Informational Special | Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream (shared with Debra Martin Chase, Fredric Golding, Dorian Harewood, David Houle, Tom McMahon, Pat Mitchell, Jack Myers, Vivian Schiller, Mike Tollin, Denzel Washington) |
| 1996 | CableACE Award | Won | Children's Special - 7 and Older | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (shared with Leonard Armato, Bruce Binkow, Robert Mickelson, Shaquille O'Neal, Mike Tollin, For the special "4 Points") |
| 1997 | Directors Guild of America Award | Nominated | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (for the special "4 Points") |
| 1998 | Won | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (shared with W. Alexander Ellis, Cynthia Riddle, Brad Uecker: for episode "First Time") | |
| 2005 | Black Movie Awards | Nominated | Outstanding Motion Picture | Coach Carter (shared with David Gale, Mike Tollin) |
References
- "About | ViacomCBS". ViacomCBS.
- Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2018). "Brian Robbins Named President Of Nickelodeon". Deadline. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- Koch, Neal (1 December 2002). "Business; Stepping Up in TV, Without Stepping on Toes". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Nicewonger, Kirk (30 July 1988). "Busy, busy time for Brian Robbins". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Knutzen, Eirik (4 October 1987). "Rebel jumps to 'Head of the Class'". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- Chmielewski, Dawn C. (August 7, 2012). "YouTube channel AwesomenessTV attracts outside funding". Los Angeles Times.
- Lieberman, David (May 1, 2013). "DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $33M+ For AwesomenessTV". Deadline Hollywood.
- Jarvey, Natalie (February 22, 2017). "Brian Robbins and AwesomenessTV". The Hollywood Reporter.
- McNary, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins". Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 1, 2018). "Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- Hayes, Dade (13 September 2021). "Paramount Pictures Revamp Made Official By ViacomCBS: Jim Gianopulos Exits, Brian Robbins Takes Over; David Nevins Adds Par TV To Portfolio". Deadline.
- Bloom, Nate. "Interfaith Celebrities: Meet Dave, Elizabeth Banks, and Jean Sarkozky". InterfaithFamily. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- Rus, Mayer (26 February 2020). "Inside a Dreamy Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent–Designed 1925 Tudor". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- "Brian Robbins". Turner Classic Movies.
- Michael Lessac (director) (2014). Taxi: Die Finale Season [The Final Season] (DVD) (in German and English). Germany: Paramount Home Media Distribution / Paramount Home Entertainment (Germany).