Joel Zwick
Encyclopedia
Joel Zwick is an American
film
, television
and theatre director. He is best known for his work on Perfect Strangers
, Full House
, Family Matters and well as directing the films My Big Fat Greek Wedding
, Second Sight
and Fat Albert
.
Born in Brooklyn
, New York
, he was educated at Brooklyn College
. He directed twenty-one pilots, all of which went on to have successful runs as weekly series.
Despite a popular misconception, Joel is not related to fellow director Edward Zwick
.
Acted in the original production of "MacBird"
Directed the following theater productions:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, television
Television director
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
and theatre director. He is best known for his work on Perfect Strangers
Perfect Strangers (TV series)
Perfect Strangers is an American sitcom that ran for eight seasons from March 25, 1986, to August 6, 1993, on the ABC television network. Created by Dale McRaven, the series chronicles the rocky coexistence of midwestern American Larry Appleton and his distant cousin from eastern Mediterranean...
, Full House
Full House
Full House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and...
, Family Matters and well as directing the films My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 Canadian and American romantic comedy film written by and starring Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. The film is centered on Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos , a middle class Greek American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek upper middle class "White...
, Second Sight
Second Sight (film)
Second Sight is a 1989 comedy film from Warner Bros., starring John Larroquette, Bronson Pinchot, Stuart Pankin and Bess Armstrong. In the film, a paranormal detective , a psychic and a nun search the streets of Boston, Massachusetts for a missing person who has allegedly been kidnapped.Although...
and Fat Albert
Fat Albert (film)
Fat Albert is a 2004 live-action/animated film based on the Filmation animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. The movie was produced by Davis Entertainment for 20th Century Fox, and stars Kenan Thompson as the title character....
.
Born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, he was educated at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
. He directed twenty-one pilots, all of which went on to have successful runs as weekly series.
Despite a popular misconception, Joel is not related to fellow director Edward Zwick
Edward Zwick
Edward M. Zwick is an American filmmaker and film producer noted for his epic films about social and racial issues. He has been described as a "throwback to an earlier era, an extremely cerebral director whose movies consistently feature fully rounded characters, difficult moral issues, and plots...
.
Television
- Bustin' LooseBustin' Loose (TV series)Bustin' Loose is an American sitcom that was loosely based on the 1981 film of the same name starring Richard Pryor. The series premiered in first-run syndication in 1987 and lasted for only one season.-Synopsis:...
(1977) - InsightInsight (TV series)Insight was an Emmy-winning syndicated television series produced by Paulist Productions that aired 250 episodes from 1960 to 1983. The series presented half-hour dramas illuminating the contemporary search for meaning, freedom, and love...
(1978) - Mork & Mindy (1978)
- Makin' ItMakin' ItMakin' It is an American sitcom starring David Naughton as a disco dancer in the late 1970s. The series only lasted nine episodes, airing on Fridays at 8:00PM on ABC from February 1 through March 23, 1979 before being canceled...
(1979) - Goodtime GirlsGoodtime GirlsGoodtime Girls was a short-lived situation comedy produced by Garry Marshall and his associates, Thomas L. Miller, Edward K. Milkis, and Robert L. Boyett, which ran on ABC from January 22, 1980 to August 29, 1980...
(1980) - Laverne & ShirleyLaverne & ShirleyLaverne & Shirley is an American television situation comedy that ran on ABC from January 26, 1976, to May 10, 1983...
(1978–1980) - It's a Living (1980–1981)
- Bosom BuddiesBosom BuddiesBosom Buddies is an American sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari created by Robert L. Boyett, Thomas L. Miller and Chris Thompson. It ran from 1980 to 1982 on ABC and in reruns in the summer of 1984 on NBC....
(1980–1982) - Joanie Loves ChachiJoanie Loves ChachiJoanie Loves Chachi is an American television spin-off of the popular American sitcom Happy Days that was originally broadcast on ABC from March 23, 1982 to September 13, 1983...
(1982) - The New Odd CoupleThe New Odd CoupleThe New Odd Couple is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1982 to 83, and was an updated version of the 1970s television series The Odd Couple. The New Odd Couple was the second attempt to remake a series of one of Neil Simon's plays with a primarily African-American cast...
(1982) - BrothersBrothers (TV series)Brothers is an American television sitcom that originally aired on the cable network Showtime from July 13, 1984 to July 25, 1989, totaling 115 episodes. It was produced by Gary Nardino Productions, in association with two separate divisions of Paramount; first by the Paramount Video division and...
(1984–1985) - WebsterWebster-People:As a surname:*Augusta Webster , English poet, dramatist, essayist, and translator.*Daniel Webster , American statesman, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, and U.S...
(1983–1986) - Perfect StrangersPerfect StrangersPerfect Strangers may refer to:* Perfect Strangers starring Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr* Perfect Strangers starring Ginger Rogers* Perfect Strangers starring Sam Neill...
(1986–1992) - On Our OwnOn Our Own (1994 TV series)On Our Own is an American sitcom that aired on ABC during the 1994-1995 season. The series starred six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jussie Smollett....
(1994) - The Wayans Bros.The Wayans Bros.The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color...
(1995) - Full HouseFull HouseFull House is an American sitcom television series. Set in San Francisco, the show chronicles widowed father Danny Tanner, who, after the death of his wife, enlists his best friend Joey Gladstone and his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis to help raise his three daughters, D.J., Stephanie, and...
(1987–1995) - KirkKirkKirk can mean "church" in general or the Church of Scotland in particular. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it.-Basic meaning and etymology:...
(1995) - The Parent 'HoodThe Parent 'HoodThe Parent 'Hood is an American sitcom that aired on The WB airing from January 18, 1995 to July 25, 1999. The series starred Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas....
(1995) - Step by Step (1992–1996)
- Hangin' with Mr. CooperHangin' with Mr. CooperHangin' with Mr. Cooper is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from 1992 to 1997, starring Mark Curry and Holly Robinson. The show took place in Curry's hometown of Oakland, California. Hangin' with Mr. Cooper was produced by Jeff Franklin Productions, in association with...
(1992–1997) - Meego (1997)
- Family Matters (1989–1998)
- The Jamie Foxx ShowThe Jamie Foxx ShowThe Jamie Foxx Show is an American television sitcom that aired on the WB Network from August 28, 1996 to January 14, 2001. The series starred Jamie Foxx, Garcelle Beauvais, Christopher B. Duncan, Ellia English, and Garrett Morris.-Synopsis:...
(1998) - The Love Boat: The Next WaveThe Love Boat: The Next WaveThe Love Boat: The Next Wave is an American television series which was based on the ABC sitcom The Love Boat. The series aired on UPN from 1998 to 1999.-Plot:...
(1999) - Two of a KindTwo of a Kind (TV series)Two of a Kind is an American sitcom that aired on ABC as part of the network's TGIF line-up, starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The show aired from September 25, 1998 to July 9, 1999....
(1999) - Two and a Half MenTwo and a Half MenTwo and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones, the show was originally about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper; his uptight brother, Alan; and Alan's growing son, Jake...
(2008) - The Suite Life on DeckThe Suite Life on DeckThe Suite Life on Deck is an American sitcom that aired on Disney Channel from September 26, 2008 to May 6, 2011. It is a sequel/spin-off of the Disney Channel Original Series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody...
(2010–2011) - Pair of KingsPair of KingsPair of Kings is an American television sitcom shown on the Disney XD cable channel. It was created by Dan Cross and David Hoge and stars Mitchel Musso and Doc Shaw. The sitcom's target audience are teenagers...
(2010-2011) - Good Luck CharlieGood Luck CharlieGood Luck Charlie is an original Disney Channel television sitcom, which premiered April 4, 2010. The series was created by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, who wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, as opposed to children only...
(2010–2011) - Shake It UpShake It Up (TV series)Shake It Up is an American television sitcom airing on Disney Channel in the United States. The series premiered on November 7, 2010. Created by Chris Thompson and starring Bella Thorne and Zendaya, the show follows the adventures of Cece Jones and Rocky Blue as they star as background dancers on...
(2010–2011) - I'm in the BandI'm in the BandI'm in the Band, is a live-action sitcom airing on Disney XD in the United States and on Family Channel in Canada. The pilot episode was taped on July 14, 2009, with a "sneak preview" airing on November 27, 2009; the show subsequently joined Disney XD's regular schedule on February 20, 2010, with...
(2010–2011)
Film
- Second SightSecond Sight (film)Second Sight is a 1989 comedy film from Warner Bros., starring John Larroquette, Bronson Pinchot, Stuart Pankin and Bess Armstrong. In the film, a paranormal detective , a psychic and a nun search the streets of Boston, Massachusetts for a missing person who has allegedly been kidnapped.Although...
(1988) - My Big Fat Greek WeddingMy Big Fat Greek WeddingMy Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 Canadian and American romantic comedy film written by and starring Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. The film is centered on Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos , a middle class Greek American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek upper middle class "White...
(2002) - Elvis Has Left the Building (2004)
- Fat AlbertFat Albert (film)Fat Albert is a 2004 live-action/animated film based on the Filmation animated series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. The movie was produced by Davis Entertainment for 20th Century Fox, and stars Kenan Thompson as the title character....
(2004)
Broadway
- Dance with MeDance With Me (musical)Dance With Me is a Broadway musical written by Greg Antonacci. It opened on January 23, 1975 and ran at the Mayfair Theatre for 396 performances. It was directed by and choreographed by Joel Zwick....
(musical), 1975 - EstherEstherEsther , born Hadassah, is the eponymous heroine of the Biblical Book of Esther.According to the Bible, she was a Jewish queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus...
(Promenade Theater) - George Gershwin, Alone (One Man Show), Helen Hayes Theater 2001
- Back From Broadway, Benefit concert Lincoln Center, 2002
Theater
Charter member of "La MaMa, E.T.C." created and founded by Ellen StewartActed in the original production of "MacBird"
Directed the following theater productions:
- "Dance With Me" (Tony Nomination)
- "Shenandoah" (Broadway national tour)
- "Oklahoma" (National tour)
- "Cold Storage" (American Place Theater)
- "Esther" (Promenade Theater, NY)
- "Merry-Go-Round" (Chicago and Las Vegas)
- "Last Chance Saloon" (West End, London)
- "Woycek" (West End, London)
- "Carry A. Nation" (Triangle Theater)
- "George Gershwin Alone" (One man show) (Los Angeles; Broadway; West End London; Ford Theater - Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; W. Palm Beach, FL; Old Globe - San Diego, CA; North Korea; etc.)
- "Back From Broadway"
- "Monsieur Chopin" (One man show)
- "Beethoven, As I Knew Him" (One man show)
- Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein (One man show)
Teaching credentials
- Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
- Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn CollegeBrooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
- Queens College, City University of New YorkQueens College, City University of New YorkQueens College, located in Flushing, Queens, New York City, is one of the senior colleges of the City University of New York. It is also the fifth oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning. The college's seventy seven acre campus is located in the heart of the...
- Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Wheaton College is a four-year, private liberal arts college with an approximate student body of 1,550. Wheaton's residential campus is located in Norton, Massachusetts, between Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1834 as a female seminary, it is one of the oldest...
- University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...