Biography

Karen has a diverse and extensive background producing award-winning film, television, theatre and music throughout the world.

Her films include the critically-acclaimed feature documentary, "Eva Hesse", the film festival hit "Beat the Drum", the romantic comedy, "The Neighbor" starring Mathew Modine and Michele Laroque, director George Hickenlooper's drama, "The Low Life" starring Sean Astin, Kyra Sedgwick and Rory Cochrane, Bill Duke's short "The Hero" and the Academy Award winning short, "Violet".

In addition, "Eva Hesse" was honored to have its US television premiere on "American Masters".

Karen has also produced several television movies including the Emmy Award winning "Other Mothers", "Between Mother and Daughter", winner of the prestigious Humanitas Award, "Private Affairs", winner of the American Women in Media Award, "Dying to be Perfect: the Ellen Hart Pena Story", "Over the Limit" with Sam Rockwell, "Chance of a Lifetime" starring John Ritter and Katey Sagal and "To Face Her Past" with James Brolin and Patti Duke. In addition, she produced the series "Postcards from Heaven", winner of the Global Association of Independent Television Award for Outstanding Drama Programming.

Karen was the Senior Producer overseeing the development, production and post-production of the reality series "Unsolved Mysteries" as well as Dick Wolf's syndicated reality series "Arrest and Trial". In addition, she has produced segments for the television series "Rescue 911", "America's Most Wanted", "Power, Privilege and Justice" and "The Investigators".

Karen's theatre credits include a season at the CAST Theatre in Hollywood as well as the musical "Woman of Valor" performed by Tyne Daly, Amy Brenneman, Jeffrey Tambor, Susan Sullivan, Arye Gross, Larry Pressman and Rachel Robinson at the Matrix Theatre.

Karen has produced several recordings and concerts including Liberation '95, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end of Nazi-occupied Europe. Introduced by Billy Crystal and narrated by Bob Saget the concert performed by the LA Master Chorale and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Boston Pops conductor, Keith Lockhart included two of Karen's short documentaries, "Awake and Sing" and "Together As One".

Karen is married to Syud Sharif and is the proud mom of Ben Sharif and David Sharif.
- IMDb mini biography by: Karen S Shapiro