Jake Kasdan

Photo of Jake Kasdan

Biography

The son of renowned writer-director Lawrence Kasdan, filmmaker Jake Kasdan laid to rest any potential charges of unearned nepotism with a string of quirky, intelligent and well-regarded feature films. After learning the ropes of the business from his father on such films as "Grand Canyon" (1991), Kasdan made his impressive feature debut as the writer-director of the oddball detective yarn, "Zero Effect" (1998). Work with Judd Apatow on the …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Music, Below The Line, Other

Born

Jacob Kasdan on October 28, 1974 in Detroit, Michigan, USA

Career Milestones

Made uncredited cameo appearances in father's films "The Big Chill" (1983), "Silverado" (1985) and "The Accidental Tourist" (1988)

1991

Served as production assistant on father's film, "Grand Canyon"

1994

Worked as archivist on father's film, "Wyatt Earp"

1996

Wrote and directed the play, "The Behavioral Patterns of Funnyman Tyler Hudson"

1998

Feature screenwriting and directing debut, "Zero Effect"; also produced

1999

TV directorial debut, the pilot for the NBC drama series, "Freaks and Geeks"

2001

Helmed the pilot for Fox's "Undeclared"

2002

Directed the comedy feature, "Orange County"

2007

Directed "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" starring John C. Reilly; also co-wrote the music and lyrics to the theme song; earned a Golden Globe and a Grammy nomination for Best Song

2007

Helmed "The TV Set," a painfully funny view of the tortuous process a television pilot endures on its way to the small screen

2011

Directed Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake in the comedy, "Bad Teacher"

Awards

2007

Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song - Motion Picture in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

2012

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series in New Girl