James L. Brooks

Writer
Producer
Additional Crew

A documentary about the comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks which includes interviews from Sharon Stone, Larry David, James L Brooks, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman and Jonah Hill.

Play trailer2:49

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023)

James L. Brooks was born on 9 May 1940 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Broadcast News (1987), As Good as It Gets (1997) and Terms of Endearment (1983). He has been married to Jennifer Simchowitz since 24 November 2024. He was previously married to Holly Holmberg Brooks and Marianne Catherine Morrissey.

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Won 3 Oscars
- 54 wins & 87 nominations total

Photos59

+ 53

Known for

Broadcast News

7.3

Writer

1987

As Good as It Gets

7.7

Writer

1997

Terms of Endearment

7.4

Writer

1983

Spanglish

6.4

Writer

2004

Credits

IMDbPro

Writer

The Simpsons
8.6
TV Series
- developed by
- 1989–2026
Mr. Burns and Mr. Monopoly's Excellent Rivalry
5.5
Short
- developed by (uncredited)
- 2026
2026 Indianapolis Colts Schedule Release with the Simpsons
6.2
TV Special
- developed by (uncredited)
- 2026
Ella McCay
5.2
- written by
- 2025
Being Mary Tyler Moore
7.5
- Writer
- 2023
Playdate with Destiny
6.7
Short
- written by
- 2020
Planet of the Couches
6.2
TV Short
- developed by
- 2016
The Simpsons Take the Bowl
7.4
Video
- developed by
- 2014
The Longest Daycare
7.2
Short
- written by
- 2012
How Do You Know
5.4
- written by
- 2010
The Simpsons Movie
7.3
- screenplay by
- 2007
Spanglish
6.4
- written by
- 2004
As Good as It Gets
7.7
- screenplay
- 1997
De Sylvia Millecam Show
6.3
TV Series
- original script (uncredited)
- 1994
I'll Do Anything
5.5
- written by
- 1994

Producer

Mr. Burns and Mr. Monopoly's Excellent Rivalry
5.5
Short
- executive producer (uncredited)
- 2026
2026 Indianapolis Colts Schedule Release with the Simpsons
6.2
TV Special
- executive producer (uncredited)
- 2026
Ella McCay
5.2
- produced by (p.g.a.)
- 2025
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
5.4
Short
- produced by
- 2024
May the 12th Be with You
4.7
Short
- produced by
- 2024
Rogue Not Quite One
5.6
TV Special
- produced by
- 2023
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
7.3
- produced by (p.g.a.)
- 2023
Feliz Navidad
5.4
Short
- produced by
- 2022
Welcome to the Club
5.3
Short
- produced by
- 2022
When Billie Met Lisa
5.1
Short
- produced by
- 2022
The Simpsons in Plusaversary
5.1
Short
- produced by
- 2021
Balenciaga
6.2
Short
- producer (uncredited)
- 2021
The Good, the Bart, and the Loki
6.1
Short
- produced by
- 2021
The Force Awakens from Its Nap
6.1
Short
- produced by
- 2021
Playdate with Destiny
6.7
Short
- produced by
- 2020

Additional Crew

The Simpsons
8.6
TV Series
- executive creative consultant
- 1989–2026
The Lego Movie
7.7
- character: Milhouse (uncredited)
- 2014
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
8.3
Video Game
- creative consultant
- 2003
The Critic
7.8
TV Series
- executive creative consultant
- 1994–2001
What About Joan
5.9
TV Series
- executive creative consultant
- 2001
Phenom
6.7
TV Series
- executive consultant
- 1993–1994
Sibs
6.8
TV Series
- executive consultant
- 1991
The Tracey Ullman Show
7.2
TV Series
- executive consultant
- 1987–1988
Taxi
7.7
TV Series
- executive creative consultant
- executive consultant
- 1978–1983
The Associates
7.6
TV Series
- executive consultant
- 1979–1980
Lou Grant
7.3
TV Series
- executive consultant
- 1978–1979
Rhoda
6.8
TV Series
- executive consultant
- story editor
- 1974–1978
Cindy
7.4
TV Movie
- creative consultant
- 1978
My Friend Tony
7.1
TV Series
- story editor
- 1969
Accidental Family
6.2
TV Series
- story editor
- 1967

Videos5

Harry Benson: Shoot First Official Trailer

Personal details

Official sites
- Gracie Films
- Official X
Alternative names
- Chains Hell Brooks
Height
- 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
Born
- May 9, 1940
- Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Spouses
Children
Other works
Stage play "Brooklyn Laundry" (1990)
Publicity listings
- 4 Interviews
- 11 Articles

Did you know

Trivia
Discovered Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson, which resulted in their movie Bottle Rocket (1996).

Quotes
While you're doing it, it is sort of a lonely kind of feeling, even though you are surrounded by so many people giving beyond the call. That's generally true of movies, there's a sense of urgency, people risking their tail, people working past exhaustion. That's what moviemaking is. It's lonely because you asked all of them to work that hard for this idea you had.