Joyce Chopra

Photo of Joyce Chopra

Biography

Though replaced by James Bridges on her next picture, "Bright Lights, Big City" (1988), Chopra recovered with the ensemble piece, "The Lemon Sisters" (1989), starring Diane Keaton, Carol Kane and Kathryn Grody, about childhood friends from Atlantic City trying to make it as singers.
Read More »

Job Title

Director, Producer

Born

November 30, 1937

Career Milestones

Involved in founding of folk music coffee house, The Club 47 (featuring then unknown Joan Baez)

Made prize-winning film in collaboration with Richard Leacock, "A Happy Mother's Day"

Produced and directed a number of documentaries including "Joyce at 34" (1972), "Girls at 12" (1975), "Martha Clark Light and Dark: A Dancer's Journal" (1980) and "Music Lessons," before making first feature

1982

Produced "Medal of Honor Rag" for TV's American Playhouse from Tom Cole's stage play

1985

Fiction feature directing debut, "Smooth Talk"

1987

Began directing "Bright Lights, Big City" in the spring but replaced by James Bridges; with Chopra went other "Smooth Talk" collaborators: cinematographer Jim Glennon (replaced by Gordon Willis) and writer Tom Cole, whose script was replaced by an adaptation by the novel's author, Jay McInerney

1989

Directed "The Lemon Sisters", co-starring Diane Keaton, Carol Kane and Kathryn Grody

1991

Returned to TV to direct the based-on-fact "Murder in New Hampshire: The Pamela Smart Story" (CBS)

1992

Helmed another based-on-fact tale of romance and murder, "The Danger of Love" (CBS), based on the story of Carolyn Warmus who murdered her lover's wife

1993

Directed episodes of the CBS drama series "Angel Falls"

1994

Helmed "The Corpse Had a Familiar Face", a CBS TV-movie based on the experiences of MIAMI HERALD reporter Edna Buchanan (played by Elizabeth Montgomery)

1995

Reteamed with Montgomery for "Deadline For Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan" (CBS)

1997

Guided Blair Brown in the based-on-fact "Convictions" (Lifetime), about a woman who became a campaigner for victims' rights after the murder of her son

1999

Directed the A&E thriller "Murder in a Small Town", starring Gene Wilder

1999

Helmed the CBS TV-movie "Replacing Dad"

Awards

1986

Independent Spirit Award for Best Director in Smooth Talk

2006

Directors Guild of America Award for Children's Programs in Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front