Renny Harlin

Photo of Renny Harlin

Biography

Immediately following the highly profitable fourth installment to the horror series, Harlin - previously a successful filmmaker in his native Finland - suddenly found himself to be Hollywood's go-to director of action movies. He kept expectations high with "Die Hard 2" (1990), another box office success that gave many the impression that this was no one-hit wonder. But Harlin started to falter a bit with "Cliffhanger" (1993), a Sylvester …
Read More »

Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer

Born

Renny Lauri Mauritz Harjola on March 15, 1959 in Finland

Career Milestones

2009

Helmed the action film, "12 Rounds"

2007

Directed Samuel L. Jackson and Ed Harris in the thriller, "Cleaner"

2006

Helmed an adaptation of the graphic novel, "The Covenant"

2005

Directed Val Kilmer and LL Cool J in the pshchological thriller "Mindhunters"

2004

Directed Stellan Skarsgard in the thriller "Exorcist: The Beginning"

2001

Teamed with Sylvester Stallone to produce and direct the race-car movie "Driven"

1999

Re-teamed with Jackson for the shark movie "Deep Blue Sea"

1996

Directed Davis and Samuel L Jackson in "The Long Kiss Goodnight"

1995

Directed wife Geena Davis in the poorly received, "Cutthroat Island"

1994

Formed Forge Productions with Geena Davis

1991

First film as a producer, "Rambling Rose"; directed by Martha Coolidge

1990

Directed first big-budget smash "Die Hard 2"

Formed production company Midnight Sun Pictures

1988

Directed the low-budget horror film, "A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master"; became the highest grossing independent film at that time

1986

Privately funded the first 20 minutes of his debut feature, "Born American"; received additional funding for completion

1985

Moved to the US

1982

Made documentary short, "Hold On"

By age 23, had produced several comercials, TV documentaries and short films

At age 20, founded his own production company which made short films and documentaries

Published his own magazine at age nine

Awards

1992

Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature in Rambling Rose