Franklin Leonard
- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Franklin Leonard is an American film executive and producer best known as the founder of The Black List, a highly influential platform that highlights the film industry's most popular unproduced screenplays. After graduating from Harvard University, Leonard began his career in journalism before transitioning into the entertainment industry. He worked as a development executive at several prominent Hollywood production companies and studios, including Universal Pictures, Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment, Mirage Enterprises, and Appian Way Productions.
In 2005, while working as a junior executive, Leonard anonymously polled his peers for their favorite unproduced scripts, creating the first annual Black List. The initiative grew from a simple spreadsheet into a massive online marketplace that has helped launch numerous Oscar-winning films. Beyond his work with the platform, Leonard is an active Hollywood producer, a frequent speaker on the intersection of data and entertainment, and an advisor to major media organizations. He resides in Los Angeles, California.
In 2005, while working as a junior executive, Leonard anonymously polled his peers for their favorite unproduced scripts, creating the first annual Black List. The initiative grew from a simple spreadsheet into a massive online marketplace that has helped launch numerous Oscar-winning films. Beyond his work with the platform, Leonard is an active Hollywood producer, a frequent speaker on the intersection of data and entertainment, and an advisor to major media organizations. He resides in Los Angeles, California.
