Robert Lawrence (producer)

Robert Lawrence is an American film producer and former studio executive.

Robert Lawrence
Born
OccupationFilm producer
Years active1980–present

Early life

Lawrence was born in New York City and grew up in Great Neck, New York.

Lawrence graduated with honors from the University of California at Berkeley and then attended the Graduate Screenwriting Program at UCLA School of Film and Television.[1]

Career

Lawrence began his film career at Paramount in the story department, and a year later joined the Robert Evans unit as a writer.[2]

In 1980 Lawrence joined Columbia Pictures as a vice-president of Production and was named Executive Vice President of Worldwide Production for Columbia Pictures in March 1985,[3] where he oversaw production of films such as Ghostbusters, The Karate Kid, Tootsie and Out of Africa.

In 1986 Lawrence joined United Artists as the President of Motion Picture Production.[4] During his time at United Artists, Lawrence oversaw productions of such films as Rain Man, Presumed Innocent and Mrs. Doubtfire. In 1987, he departed from United Artists to set up his own production company with a two-year agreement at the studio, which will be based at the United Artists headquarters in Beverly Hills.[5]

During this time, he screened the Hong Kong action film Legacy of Rage (1986) starring Brandon Lee and saw Lee's potential to be an action leading man in Hollywood. It led to their collaboration which was Lee's first lead in an American Studio film the action thriller Rapid Fire (1992).[6]

Lawrence founded Maysville Pictures along with George Clooney and together produced Rock Star before the two split in 1999.[7] As an independent producer he started his own production company, Robert Lawrence Productions. Lawrence is best known as a producer on movies such as Clueless, Die Hard with a Vengeance and The Last Castle.

Current production

In the Winter of 2016, Variety (magazine) announced[8] that Lin-Manuel Miranda would join Lawrence in producing TV and film adaptations of Patrick Rothfuss’ fantasy trilogy The Kingkiller Chronicle.[9]

Personal life

Lawrence has three sons and currently lives in Pacific Palisades, California.

Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Film Credit
1988It Takes Two
1991A Kiss Before Dying
1992Rapid Fire
1995Die Hard with a VengeanceExecutive producer
Clueless
1996Down Periscope
1997Nothing to LoseAssociate producer
2001Rock Star
The Last Castle
2005Mozart and the Whale
TBA
The Kingkiller Chronicle

Television

Year Title Credit Notes
1996Gang in BlueExecutive producerTelevision film
1996−97MartinAssociate producer
Co-executive producer
2014Partners
2016Martin Lawrence: Doin' TimeTelevision special
2017The Women Behind the Women: Behind Steel DragonExecutive producerTelevision film

References

  1. "Robert Lawrence - Filmbug". filmbug.com. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  2. "THE LAST CASTLE - Cast or Crew Bio...CinemaReview.com". cinemareview.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. "EXECUTIVE CHANGES". The New York Times. 11 March 1985. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  4. "Lawrence Wins Promotion to UA Presidency". 7 May 1986. Retrieved 19 January 2017 via LA Times.
  5. "Lawrence Vacates Seat At UA In Favor Of A 2-Year Production Pact". Variety. 1987-10-07. pp. 4, 36.
  6. Koltnow, Barry (26 August 1992). "A karate chop off the old block". The Record.
  7. Petrikin, Chris (30 September 1999). "Clooney, Lawrence split Maysville". Variety. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  8. McNary, Dave (29 November 2016). "Lin-Manuel Miranda Boards 'Kingkiller Chronicle' Film, TV Series Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  9. Lindbergh, Ben (30 November 2016). "Your New 'Game of Thrones' Is Coming". theringer.com. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
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