Steven Lisberger

Steven M. Lisberger (born April 24, 1951) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is best known for writing and directing the 1982 film Tron.

Steven Lisberger
Steven Lisberger at the 2010 Comic Con in San Diego
Born
Steven M. Lisberger

(1951-04-24) April 24, 1951
New York City, U.S.
Alma materTufts University
Occupations
  • Film director
  • film producer
  • screenwriter
  • animator
Years active1973–present
Known forTron
SpousePeggy Flook Lisberger
Children1

Early life and education

Lisberger was born in 1951 in New York City and grew up in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Of his ethnic background, he said that his father was Jewish while his mother's side was half Jewish and half Christian, both native German. Lisberger attended The Hill School in Pottstown and Tufts University. He went on to become a 1974 graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.

Career

While attending Tufts University, Lisberger and five associates formed Lisberger Studios. Their first project of note was Cosmic Cartoon, which earned a Student Academy Award nomination in 1973. It was also featured in the nationally-released anthology film, Fantastic Animation Festival, in 1977. Through his company, Lisberger Studios, Lisberger directed the production of commercials, title sequences, and feature segments for programs, such as Make a Wish and Rebop.

In 1978, after moving to Venice, California, Lisberger and his business partner Donald Kushner conceived and produced a 90-minute animated film, Animalympics, for NBC's coverage of the 1980 Olympics. They then turned their creative efforts to the development of Tron at The Walt Disney Company. It was released in 1982 and has since become a cult classic.[1][2]

His film Hot Pursuit (1987) features one of Ben Stiller's first speaking roles.

In 1989, Lisberger directed Slipstream, though the film was a critical and commercial failure.

Lisberger spent most of the 1990s and 2000s writing screenplays, with several being optioned by various studios.

In 2007, it was announced that he and Jessica Chobot were working together on a film project called Soul Code, though it was never produced.[3]

Lisberger tried for years to convince Disney to develop a Tron sequel, though the project frequently languished in development hell. Eventually, Disney green-lit Tron: Legacy, and it was released in 2010 for which Lisberger served as producer.[4] The film was a success at the box office and was followed by a television series, Tron: Uprising.

Personal life

Lisberger and his wife, Peggy, live in Santa Monica, California and have a son named Carl.[5]

Filmography
Year Film Director Writer Producer Notes
1973 Cosmic Cartoon Yes No No Short film; also animator & art director
1980 Animalympics Yes Yes Yes Television film
1982 Tron Yes Yes No Also visual effects concepts
1987 Hot Pursuit Yes Yes No
1989 Slipstream Yes No No
2010 Tron: Legacy No No Yes Cameo as "Shaddix"
2020 Prop Culture No No No Himself, Episode: "Tron"
TBA Tron: Ares No No Executive

References
  1. LoProto, Mark (November 22, 2019). "How to Stream 'Tron (1982)': Your Family Viewing Guide". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. Weintraub, Steve 'Frosty' (March 16, 2010). "Steven Lisberger On Set Interview TRON LEGACY - Read or Listen Here". Collider. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  3. "Trying to go beyond Tron". March 23, 2012.
  4. "Tron Legacy Set Interview: Steven Lisberger, Creator of Tron – /Film". March 17, 2010.
  5. "Disney pulls out the stops for 'Tron' and 'Tron: Legacy'". pilotonline.com. April 7, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
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