J.J. Abrams

Jeffrey Jacob "J. J." Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is an American film and television producer, screenwriter, director, actor and composer. He is well known for his work in the genres of action, drama and science fiction. Abrams wrote and produced feature films before co-creating the television series Felicity (1998–2002). He also created Alias (2001–2006) and co-created Lost (2004–2010), Fringe (2008–2013), Undercovers (2010) and produced the television series Person of Interest (2011–present) and Revolution (2012–present), among others. His directorial film work includes two Star Trek films, Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), along with Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Super 8 (2011). He will also direct Star Wars Episode VII (2015), the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.  Abrams produced the films Cloverfield (2008), Morning Glory (2010), and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). Many of the films he has directed or produced are distributed by Paramount Pictures, while his television series were co-produced by either Warner Bros. Television or Touchstone Television. Abrams' frequent creative collaborators include writers Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, composer Michael Giacchino, cinematographers Daniel Mindel & Larry Fong, and editors Maryann Brandon & Mary Jo Markey. Abrams was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, where he attended Palisades High School. He is the son of television producer Gerald W. Abrams and executive producer Carol Ann Abrams.  His sister is screenwriter Tracy Rosen.  Abrams is Jewish and attended Sarah Lawrence College. Abrams' first job in the movie business started when he was 16 when he wrote music for Don Dohler's film Nightbeast. During his senior year at college, he teamed with Jill Mazursky to write a feature film treatment. Purchased by Touchstone Pictures, the treatment was the basis for Taking Care of Business, Abrams' first produced film, which starred Charles Grodin and James Belushi.