Richard Sakai

This executive and producer has long been associated with producer-director James L. Brooks. Sakai first met Brooks in 1977 while working as a go-fer at John Charles Walters Productions, the company behind the sitcom "Taxi" (ABC, 1978-82; NBC, 1982-83). During the shows run, he worked his way up to director and producer. In 1984, he joined Brooks' newly-formed production company Gracie Films and was eventually named as president. In that capacity, he oversaw a number of TV sitcoms, the Emmy-winning variety series "The Tracey Ullman Show" (Fox, …more

Full Biography

Credits

Actor

The 41st Annual Emmy Awards

Director

Taxi
Director

Producer

Best of Taxi
Executive Producer
What About Joan
Executive Producer
Shaping Up
Producer
Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
Producer
Related By Birth
Producer

View All Credits

Career Milestones

1997
Was executive producer for Brooks' Oscar-nominated "As Good As It Gets"
1996
First features as executive producer, "Bottle Rocket" and "Jerry Maguire"; shared in Best Picture Oscar nomination for the latter
1990 to 0000
Was one of the producers for "The Simpsons"
1987
Feature debut as executive in charge of production on Brooks' "Broadcast News"
1984 to 0000
Joined Brooks' Gracie Films as president

View All Milestones

Awards

2000
Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)
1999
Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
1998
People's Choice Award: Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture
1997
Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
1994
Emmy: Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)