Brian_Robbins

Brian Robbins

Brian Robbins

American film producer and director


Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), better known as Brian Robbins, is an American film and television producer and director. He has been the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon since 2021, and is also the CCO of the Kids & Family division of Paramount+. In 2012, he co-founded the media network AwesomenessTV.

Quick Facts Born, Occupations ...

Prior, Robbins was a main cast member for the television series Head of the Class (1986–1991), and joined Nickelodeon in 1994 as the creator/lead writer of the sketch comedy series All That the same year. He made his directorial debut in 1995 with the hip hop documentary The Show, and directed the hit teen comedy film Good Burger two years later. Despite moderate commercial success, the critical reception for his productions has been largely negative.[1]

Early life

Robbins was born Brian Levine in New York City's Brooklyn borough into a Jewish family on November 22, 1963, the son of 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]

Career

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.

Robbins in 1988

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]

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.[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, thus ending his five-year run with the company.[7]

On June 7, 2017, Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. He worked with Viacom's brands Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties".[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] He became head of Paramount Pictures in September 2021.[11][12]

Personal life

He married publicist Laura Cathcart and they had two sons together, Miles and Justin, before divorcing in 2013. He married stylist Tracy James in 2014.[13] They have a daughter named Stella and live with his sons in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[13][14]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...

Producer only

Television

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Executive producer only

Special thanks

Acting credits

More information Year, Title ...

Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award ...

References

  1. "Don't Make Fun of Brian Robbins: Here's Why Paramount's Best Hope is the Director of 'Norbit'". September 26, 2021.
  2. 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.
  3. Nicewonger, Kirk (July 30, 1988). "Busy, busy time for Brian Robbins". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  4. Knutzen, Eirik (October 4, 1987). "Rebel jumps to 'Head of the Class'". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  5. Chmielewski, Dawn C. (August 7, 2012). "YouTube channel AwesomenessTV attracts outside funding" Archived April 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Los Angeles Times.
  6. Jarvey, Natalie (February 22, 2017). "Brian Robbins and AwesomenessTV" Archived March 6, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. 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.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2018). "Brian Robbins Named President Of Nickelodeon". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  9. 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.
  10. "About | ViacomCBS". ViacomCBS. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  11. 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.
  12. "Brian Robbins". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  13. 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).
Preceded by Nickelodeon president
2018–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent

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