BRETT RATNER (Director), in a very short time, has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most successful directors. Ratner’s first five feature films have grossed nearly one billion dollars.
At 26 years old he directed his first feature film, the surprise box office hit “Money Talks,” a comedy starring Charlie Sheen and Chris Tucker. His second film, the action comedy “Rush Hour,” starred Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker and earned $250 million worldwide. He followed that success with the romantic fantasy drama “The Family Man,” a critical and box office hit starring Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. A year later, Ratner delivered Hong Kong-style action with Chan and Tucker in the hit sequel, “Rush Hour 2,” which grossed more than $342 million worldwide.
Ratner made his first foray into the world of suspense thrillers with his fifth feature film “Red Dragon,” the “Silence of the Lambs” prequel starring Edward Norton, Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, and Emily Watson. Ratner’s latest feature film, “After the Sunset,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Woody Harrelson, and Don Cheadle enjoyed success in theatres nationwide.
Raised in Miami Beach, Ratner had dreamed of being a filmmaker since the age of eight. He enrolled in New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts at age 16, becoming the department’s youngest film major. While attending NYU Film School, he made “Whatever Happened to Mason Reese,” a short film starring and about the former child actor. The award-winning project received funding from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.
Ratner’s big break came after he screened his film for hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons, launching a successful career in music videos. He has directed more than 100 videos since then, for artists including Madonna, Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, Jay-Z, Wu Tang Clan, D’Angelo, Heavy D, Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown, Public Enemy, P Diddy and many others.
Ratner won the MTV Award for “Best Video for a Film” for Madonna’s “Beautiful Stranger” from the “Austin Powers” soundtrack. In addition, Ratner received an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight Sequence for “Rush Hour 2” as well as a TONY Award for producing Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. Ratner was the recipient of the Spirit of Chrysalis Award for his dedication and leadership in helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals change their lives through jobs. He is currently on the boards of Chrysalis and Best Buddies and serves on the Dean’s Council of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
In addition to success in film and music, Ratner has also segued into the world of book publishing. He published the controversial book, Naked Pictures of my Ex-Girlfriends and authored Hilhaven Lodge: The Photo Booth Pictures, which was released in October 2003.
Ratner has recently ventured into still photography and his photographs have appeared in Vanity Fair, and have graced the covers of Vogue Homme and V-Life. In addition, he has shot the fashion campaigns for Baby Phat and Jimmy Choo.
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