Brian Robbins (born Brian Levine, November 22, 1963) is an American businessman, producer, director, actor, and the current co-CEO of Paramount Global. He has been the president of Nickelodeon and president and CEO of Paramount Pictures since 2018 and 2021, respectively. He was named the co-CEO of Paramount Global in April 2024.[1]
Brian Robbins | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Robbins in 2019 | |
| Born | Brian Levine November 22, 1963 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouses | Laura Cathcart (div. 2013)Tracy James (m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Floyd Levine |
Early life
editRobbins was born on November 22, 1963 in New York City and raised in the Marine Park, Brooklyn neighborhood. His father is the actor Floyd Levine.[2] When he was 16, he moved with his family to Los Angeles.[3] He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.[4]
Following his father into acting,[2] Robbins made his television debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D.[4] He guest starred on a number of television series and had a recurring role on General Hospital.[4] As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.[4] He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989. In the 1990s, Robbins started producing the show All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon.[2] 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.[2]
Career
editRobbins is the founder of AwesomenessTV, a YouTube channel aimed at teenagers. The channel spun off into a TV series, on which Robbins served as executive producer.[5] DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013.[6] On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, ending his five-year run with the company.[7]
Robbins first joined Paramount in 2017 as the first president of Paramount Players, after which he became president of Nickelodeon in 2018, and then president of Kids & Family Entertainment, for ViacomCBS (now Paramount).[8] On October 1, 2018, he 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.[9] Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players division Nickelodeon Movies.[10]
Robbins became head of Paramount Pictures in September 2021.[11][12] During his tenure, Robbins has overseen releases that have garnered more than $5 billion in global box office.[13]
As President and CEO of Paramount Pictures, Brian Robbins has focused on securing production deals with prominent filmmakers and revitalizing franchises such as Transformers, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mission: Impossible, A Quiet Place, Scream, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and PAW Patrol.[14][15][16][17][18] These partnerships have contributed to Paramount Pictures' $5 billion-plus global box office revenue, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and PAW Patrol alone generating $2.5 billion in consumer products revenue in 2023.[19]
Robbins has been recognized for his strategic approach to theatrical release windows relative to streaming.[13] He shifted the release strategy of Smile and Mean Girls from streaming to theatrical, with Smile becoming the top-grossing original horror film of 2022, earning $217 million worldwide and becoming the studio's third most profitable film in a decade.[20] Mean Girls grossed $107 million globally and led the domestic box office for three consecutive weeks.[21] Robbins has also strengthened Paramount Animation and Paramount's consumer products division through the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and PAW Patrol. Robbins has emphasized allowing intellectual property-driven properties to drive other lines of business, particularly consumer products.[19]
On April 29, 2024, Robbins, along with George Cheeks and Chris McCarthy, became co-CEOs after Bob Bakish stepped down from his role.[22]
Robbins is a board member of the Motion Picture Association; a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; sits on the board of trustees for the AFI and is the recipient of a Directors Guild Award, a Peabody Award, and the Pioneer Prize from the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.[23]
Personal life
editHe married publicist Laura Cathcart and they had two sons together before divorcing in 2013. He married stylist Tracy James in 2014.[24] They have a daughter, and live with his sons in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[24][25]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Show | Yes | Yes | Documentary film |
| 1997 | Good Burger | Yes | Yes | Also executive soundtrack producer |
| 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
edit| 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
edit- 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! (2019–2024)
- It's Pony (2020–2022)
- Glitch Techs (2020)
- Santiago of the Seas (2020–2023)
- 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 (2021–2022)
Acting credits
edit| 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[26] | 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
edit| 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) |
| 2016 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Children's Series | Project Mc²: Season 1 |
References
edit- ^ "Paramount Global replaces CEO Bob Bakish with a troika of executives". ABC News. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Koch, Neal (December 1, 2002). "Business; Stepping Up in TV, Without Stepping on Toes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ Nicewonger, Kirk (July 30, 1988). "Busy, busy time for Brian Robbins". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Knutzen, Eirik (October 4, 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" Archived March 6, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ McNary, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins". Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2018). "Brian Robbins Named President Of Nickelodeon". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 1, 2018). "Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "About | ViacomCBS". ViacomCBS. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (September 13, 2021). "Paramount Pictures Revamp Made Official By ViacomCBS: Jim Gianopulos Exits, Brian Robbins Takes Over; David Nevins Adds Par TV To Portfolio". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "Paramount Global Announces Leadership Shakeup". thelicensingletter.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "John Krasinski's Sunday Night Label Extends Deal With Paramount Pictures – CinemaCon". Deadline. April 11, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Reups First Look With Paramount Pictures". Deadline. February 8, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Neal H. Moritz, Paramount Renew First Look Production Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. April 11, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Lorenzo di Bonaventura Extends Producing Deal With Paramount". Deadline. April 11, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "'Smile' Filmmaker Parker Finn Signs First-Look Deal With Paramount (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "With 'Ninja Turtles' and 'Paw Patrol,' Paramount's animated franchise strategy pays off". Los Angeles Times. December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Naomi Scott to Star in 'Smile' Sequel at Paramount". The Wrap. December 13, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Mean Girls Surpasses $100 Million at Global Box Office". Variety. April 10, 2024.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (April 29, 2024). "It's Official: Bob Bakish Is Out At Paramount Global, Trio Of Division Heads Form New Office Of The CEO". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "The People Who Drive our Business". Paramount.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Rus, Mayer (February 26, 2020). "Inside a Dreamy Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent–Designed 1925 Tudor". Architectural Digest. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
- ^ "Brian Robbins". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ 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).
External links
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