ADAM SHANKMAN (Director) is an artist who as a master of comedy also captures the sensitivity of his stories, making him one of the most loved and commercially successful filmmakers of his generation. Shankman most recently directed Disney’s box office hit “Bringing Down the House.” This comedy, starring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah, was number one at the box office for three weeks in a row, grossing over $131 million.
Shankman began crafting an enviable career with his directorial debut, Columbia Pictures’ “The Wedding Planner.” The Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConnaughy film was the heart-felt hit of 2001. Shankman’s following grew with his next film “A Walk to Remember,” distributed by Warner Bros., starring Mandy Moore and Shane West. “A Walk to Remember” was nominated for a 2002 Phoenix Film Critics Award for Best Live Action Family Film.
Shankman and producing partner Jennifer Gibgot recently renewed their overall deal with Walt Disney Studios and their Offspring Entertainment. The duo have several high-profile comedies in development including a retelling of “Topper” starring Steve Martin with Mandeville Films with Shankman attached to direct, “The Other Guy,” “The Fiance,” “Overparenting” and an untitled dance comedy, which is being re-written by Melissa Rosenberg (“The O.C.”).
In the world of television, Shankman and Gibgot have sold “The Assistants” to NBC through 20th Century TV. Bryan Fuller (“Wonderfalls”) will write the project and executive produce along with Shankman and Gibgot. The project is about the “upstairs, downstairs” world of assistants and their bosses.
Prior to directing, Shankman was one of the entertainment world’s premiere dance and physical comedy choreographers, putting his creative stamp on many well-known comedies, dramas, thrillers, and animated films. His projects include “The Addams Family,” “Casper,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Anastasia,” “George of the Jungle,” “Boogie Nights,” “Miami Rhapsody,” and “The Flintstones,” for which he was nominated for a Bob Fosse Award. Shankman won the Bob Fosse award for his work with Simon West.
At age 24, Shankman teamed up with influential video director Julian Temple as a music video choreographer. One of the first videos as choreographer was Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” He has also choreographed videos for The B-52’s, Barry White, Aaron Neville, Chic and Stevie Wonder.
A native of Los Angeles, where he currently resides, Shankman developed a love for the theater at an early age. After high school, he moved to New York and attended Juilliard in the dance program for two years. After five years of work as an actor and dancer in New York and regional theater, he moved back to Los Angeles and began dancing in music videos, including videos for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. He also performed at the 1989 Academy Awards®.
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