Brian Robbins
Quick Facts
Biography
Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), known professionally as Brian Robbins, is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who is currently the president of Nickelodeon. He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.
Career
Robbins followed his dad Floyd Levine, a prolific character actor, into acting. Brian Robbins made his television acting debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D. He guest starred on a number and television series and a recurring role on General Hospital.As an actor, he is perhaps best known from his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. 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. He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also produced One Tree Hill.
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. DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013. 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.
On June 7, 2017, Brian Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. Robbins will work with Viacom’s Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and BET brands to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties."
On October 1, 2018, Brian Robbins left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom tapped 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' Nickelodeon films (Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and Paw Patrol:The Movie).
Personal life
Robbins was born Brian Levine in Brooklyn, New York on November 22, 1963. When Robbins was 16, his family moved to Los Angeles. He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.
Robbins is Jewish. He was married to publicist Laura Cathcart, with whom he has two sons, Miles and Justin. They divorced in 2013. Robbins went on to marry his ex-wife's friend, Tracy James. They have a daughter together.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1995 | The Show | Yes | Yes | No | Documentary film |
1997 | Good Burger | Yes | Yes | No | |
1999 | Varsity Blues | Yes | Yes | No | |
2000 | Ready to Rumble | Yes | No | No | |
2001 | Hardball | Yes | Yes | No | |
Summer Catch | Yes | Yes | No | ||
2002 | Big Fat Liar | No | Yes | Story | |
2004 | The Perfect Score | Yes | Yes | No | |
2006 | The Shaggy Dog | Yes | No | No | |
2007 | Norbit | Yes | Executive | No | Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
2008 | Meet Dave | Yes | No | No | |
2012 | A Thousand Words | Yes | Yes | No | Filmed in 2008 |
Producer only
- Coach Carter (2005)
- Wild Hogs (2007)
- Old Dogs (2009)
- 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)
- AwesomenessTV (2013-2015)
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 | Young Man | Episode "Alex the Gofer" | |
1983 | Three's Company | Episode "Praise the Lord and Pasta Ammunition" | |
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 |
1995 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Informational Special | Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream |
1996 | CableACE Award | Won | Children's Special - 7 and Older | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal |
1997 | Directors Guild of America Award | Nominated | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal |
1998 | Won | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs | Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal | |
2005 | Black Movie Awards | Nominated | Outstanding Motion Picture | Coach Carter |