James L. Brooks

James L. Brooks (Born May 9, 1940) is a Hollywood producer, writer, and director.

He is best known for producing classic TV shows like The Simpsons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Taxi, and The Tracey Ullman Show. He also directed the Oscar-winning movie, Terms of Endearment, which he won an Oscar for "Best Director" in 1984. He currently runs his own film producation company, Gracie Films.

James L. Brooks hired Matt Groening to do some short-length cartoons for his TV show, "The Tracey Ullman Show." Those short-length cartoons later became known as "The Simpsons."

The Simpsons' character, Principal Seymour Skinner had his first name taken from a 60's TV show that James L. Brook co-created, Room 222 which featured a character named Principal Seymour Kaufman.

Noted Filmography

• As Good As It Gets (1997)
• Jerry Maguire (1996)
• Bottle Rocket (1996)
• The Critic (1994)
• The Simpsons (1989)
• Say Anything (1989)
• Big (1988)
• Broadcast News (1987)
• The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
• Terms of Endearment (1983)
• Taxi (1978)
• Rhoda (1974)
• The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970)
• The Andy Griffith Show (1960)
• My Three Sons (1960)

External Links

• IMDB James L. Brooks Profile
• Museum of Broadcast Communications's James L. Brooks Biography
• Museum.tv's Room 222 Information Page