Iain Johnstone
Quick Facts
Biography
Iain Johnstone (born 8 April 1943 in Reading, Berkshire) is an English author and broadcaster. He attended Crosfields School, Reading, Campbell College, Belfast and Bristol University.
Johnstone has published the books, Streep: A Life in Film a biography of Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, the authorised biography of Tom Cruise, biographies on Dustin Hoffman and Clint Eastwood and three novels including Pirates of the Mediterranean.
His twelfth book, "Close Encounters – A Media Memoir" is published by Spellbinding Media. The book contains insights into movie stars and celebrities of the 20th Century where Johnstone tells of his time both on set and at home with screen luminaries Stanley Kubrick, Clint Eastwood and Barbra Streisand. He documents his return to Louisville with Muhammad Ali, his journey up the Nile with Peter Cook and Stephen Fry and his time spent with Dame Edna. He also reveals how he came to write a diary with Mel Gibson and spend time with Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
History
He was for twelve years the film critic of The Sunday Times, and presenter of the Film 82,programme (when regular presenter Barry Norman was busy with other projects). He was also its original producer, and produced other British TV programmes such as the BBC2 chat show Friday Night, Saturday Morning, The Frost Interview and ran the BBC's Watergate coverage.
He co-wrote the movie Fierce Creatures with John Cleese, and has made eight documentaries with Steven Spielberg, startingwith The Jaws Report and including Steven and Stanley about Spielberg's collaboration with Stanley Kubrick. He has also made numerous other movie based documentaries about A Fish Called Wanda, Dustin Hoffman, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life,Superman and TV profiles of Muhammad Ali, Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson, Barbra Streisand, John Wayne and Marlon Brando.
He is a biographer of Tom Cruise and Clint Eastwood.
His daughter Sophie married the Hon. Edward John Hugh Tollemache in February 2007. Edward is the heir apparent of Timothy Tollemache, 5th Baron Tollemache. Sophie Johnstone had a bit part in A Fish Called Wanda at the age of six and presently works in television as a researcher.
His son, Oliver, is currently a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing as Iachimo in Cymbeline and Edgar in King Lear in 2016. He has appeared in supporting roles in numerous UK films in recent years.