Jerry Bruckheimer Biography

(Film and Television Producer Best Known for His TV Series ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ and ‘CSI: Miami’)

Birthday: September 21, 1943 (Virgo)

Born In: Detroit, Michigan, United States

With a line of blockbuster films in Hollywood, this American television and film producer is nicknamed as Mr. Blockbuster. Jerry Bruckheimer is considered to be one of the most prolific producers of all time, with a series of high-grosser movies to his credit. He has given some record-breaking movies to the American cinema, with his distinctive stamp with genres in action, drama, adventure and science fiction. Even though he is known for giving quantity over quality, but he has effectively managed to create a mark with his super-hits, not just on the silver screen, but also on television. An advertising executive by profession, this filmmaker produced a string of huge hits with his buddy and partner Don Simpson, before venturing out individually after the latter’s death. By giving the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise, he won the hearts of millions worldwide depicting a Disney-theme park ride on a wider scale. Through his highly successful movies, he is said to have paved way for many new and aspiring actors and directors. Besides television and film production, he has been actively involved with political contributions and charities.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jerome Leon Bruckheimer

Age: 81 Years, 81 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Bonnie Bruckheimer, Linda Bruckheimer

children: Alexandra Bruckheimer

Born Country: United States

T V & Movie Producers American Men

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Males

Notable Alumni: Mumford High School

Ancestry: German American

City: Detroit, Michigan

U.S. State: Michigan

Founder/Co-Founder: Jerry Bruckheimer Films

More Facts

education: The University Of Arizona, Mumford High School

  • 1

    What are some popular movies produced by Jerry Bruckheimer?

    Some popular movies produced by Jerry Bruckheimer include Pirates of the Caribbean series, Top Gun, Armageddon, National Treasure, and Bad Boys.
  • 2

    How did Jerry Bruckheimer become successful in Hollywood?

    Jerry Bruckheimer became successful in Hollywood by producing high-grossing and critically acclaimed films that appealed to a wide audience, often collaborating with talented directors and actors.
  • 3

    What are some key characteristics of Jerry Bruckheimer's film productions?

    Some key characteristics of Jerry Bruckheimer's film productions include high production values, action-packed sequences, compelling storytelling, and memorable soundtracks.
  • 4

    How does Jerry Bruckheimer choose projects to work on?

    Jerry Bruckheimer typically chooses projects that have the potential for commercial success, often focusing on genres like action, adventure, and thrillers that have wide audience appeal.
  • 5

    What impact has Jerry Bruckheimer had on the film industry?

    Jerry Bruckheimer has had a significant impact on the film industry by producing blockbuster movies that have influenced popular culture and set trends in the action and adventure genres.
Childhood & Early Life
Jerry Bruckheimer was born as Jerome Leon Bruckheimer on September 21, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, as the only child of Jewish-German immigrants.
His upbringing was carried out in a poor household by his salesman father and bookkeeping-cum-housewife mother.
He completed his formal schooling from Mumford High School, after which he moved to the University of Arizona to study psychology and algebra.
He developed an interest in cinema from an early age, which drew him towards photography, evident from the numerous snapshots which won him several prizes.
After college, he took up rewarding advertising jobs in Detroit and New York City, producing some high-quality commercials.
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Career
In the early 1970s, Bruckheimer left his well-paid advertising job to take up a low-paying job to pursue his dream of making it big in the film industry.
His first break came through in 1972 as an associate producer under Dick Richards on ‘The Culpepper Cattle Company’, followed by ‘Farewell, My Lovely’ (1975) and ‘March or Die’ (1977).
It was only through the 1979 ‘American Gigolo’ and 1982 ‘Cat People’ that he started getting noticed. However, it was his ‘Flashdance’, with co-producer Don Simpson, in 1983 from where his journey of delivering hits began.
A series of super-hit films followed where Bruckheimer worked with Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun’ (1986) and ‘Days of Thunder’ (1990) and Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ series, making them superstars of tomorrow.
Bruckheimer and Simpson collaborated to form Simpson-Bruckheimer Productions and signed a long-term deal with Paramount Pictures.
The duo complemented each other very well, with Simpson being known as ‘Mr. Inside’ due to his extensive contacts in Hollywood and Bruckheimer nicknamed as ‘Mr. Outside’, thanks to his filmmaking knowhow and experience.
The duo’s pact with Paramount ended in 1990, followed by another five-year non-exclusive agreement with Hollywood Pictures, a subsidiary of Disney.
In 1995, the Simpson-Bruckheimer pair released another set of big hits, like ‘Dangerous Minds’, ‘Crimson Tide’, and ‘Bad Boys’, thus reiterating their success.
His association with Simpson ended during the production of ‘The Rock’ (1996) due to the latter’s drug issues and his death due to heart failure a month later. Soon after, he launched Jerry Bruckheimer Films and released ‘Con Air’ (1997).
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He tried his hand at television programs, starting off with ‘Soldier of Fortune, Inc.’ which failed to create a mark. However, later, he became successful with the police drama ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ series, in 2001.
He produced the popular FBI missing people drama ‘Without a Trace’, ‘The Forgotten’, ‘Take the Money & Run’ and the Emmy-winning reality game show ‘The Amazing Race’.
In 2003, he produced the highly successful record-breaking ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’, which saw three sequels – ‘Dead Man’s Chest’, ‘At World’s End’ and ‘On Stranger Tides’.
Major Works
He delivered a string of huge hits with his new venture, some being ‘Armageddon’ (1998), ‘Remember the Titans’ (2000), ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ (2000), ‘Black Hawk Down’ (2001), ‘King Arthur’ (2004), and ‘Glory Road’ (2006).
His World War II epic ‘Pearl Harbor’, released in 2001, was a box-office hit grossing over $450 million worldwide, though it received high negative responses.
He produced the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film series, along with Walt Disney Pictures, featuring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley, which shattered box-office records and grossed over $3 billion across the world.
He had over ten series telecast on different channels in 2005, a record for any company in Hollywood, of which six were returning while four were newly launched.
Awards & Achievements
The Forbes Celebrity 100 List ranked him at number 42 in 2006, which was later upgraded to 39 in 2007.
He was honored with the ShoWest Producer of the Year award, in 1998.
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He received the David O. Selznick Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Producers Guild, in 2000.
The University of Arizona’s College of Fine Arts bestowed upon him a doctorate degree in fine arts, in 2006.
In 2013, he was inducted on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on Hollywood Boulevard.
His projects have won 6 Academy awards, 5 Grammy awards, 4 Golden Globe awards, 17 Emmy awards, 4 People’s Choice awards, and several MTV awards.
Personal Life & Legacy
After his divorce to Bonnie Bruckheimer, he married American editor and novelist, Linda Bruckheimer. He, currently, resides in Los Angeles with his wife and stepdaughter, Alexandra.
He established the Jerry Bruckheimer Foundation to serve the society and has been an active supporter of the fight against multiple sclerosis through The Nancy Davis Foundation for MS.
He is said to have given over $50,000 as donation to Republican campaigns and committees, with $5000 on behalf of 2008 presidential candidate John McCain and $25,000 to Mitt Romney Victory Fund, in 2012.
Facts About Jerry Bruckheimer
Jerry Bruckheimer is an avid collector of antique weaponry, with a particular interest in swords and armor from different eras.
He has a passion for classic cars and owns an impressive collection that includes rare and vintage vehicles.
Bruckheimer is known for his love of gourmet food and has a keen interest in exploring different cuisines from around the world.
He has a hidden talent for playing the piano and often enjoys relaxing by composing his own music in his spare time.
Despite his busy schedule, Bruckheimer makes sure to prioritize spending quality time with his family and friends, showing a strong commitment to his personal relationships outside of work.

Jerry Bruckheimer Movies

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

  (Fantasy, Action, Adventure)

2. Thief (1981)

  (Thriller, Drama, Action, Crime)

3. Remember the Titans (2000)

  (Sport, Biography, Drama)

4. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

  (Comedy, Action, Crime)

5. Black Hawk Down (2001)

  (History, War, Drama)

6. Farewell, My Lovely (1975)

  (Mystery, Crime, Thriller)

7. The Culpepper Cattle Co. (1972)

  (Western)

8. The Rock (1996)

  (Action, Thriller, Adventure)

9. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

  (Action, Fantasy, Adventure)

10. Enemy of the State (1998)

  (Thriller, Action, Mystery, Crime)

Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards
2014 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2012 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2011 Outstanding Reality - Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2009 Outstanding Reality - Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2008 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2007 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2006 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2005 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2004 Outstanding Reality-Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)
2003 Outstanding Reality/Competition Program The Amazing Race (2001)

See the events in life of Jerry Bruckheimer in Chronological Order

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