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John Turteltaub
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John Turteltaub

JON TURTELTAUB, as one of the brightest new directors in Hollywood, has been able to capture audiences' attention with his powerful and emotional films.

In 1998, Turteltaub made an essential contribution to one of the most significant and successful television miniseries in history, From the Earth to the Moon. The ten-part HBO dramatic series featured different stories surrounding the American conquest of the moon. Turteltaub directed the seventh episode or the series, entitled That's All There Is, which portrayed the camaraderie of the crew of Apollo 12. Turteltaub was nominated by the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television for his efforts and the series received ten Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Turteltaub has also directed four successful films for the Walt Disney Company, including the blockbuster hit, Phenomenon. Starring John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Forest Whitaker and Kyra Sedgwick, Phenomenon was one of the biggest hits of 1996 grossing over $100 million domestically.

In 1993, he directed the surprise hit comedy, Cool Runnings, which was Disney's highest grossing live-action film for the year. Other credits include the Sandra Bullock hit romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping, and 1992's 3 Ninjas, which was Disney's most profitable film of the year.

Born in New York City and raised in Beverly Hills, Turteltaub got his BA at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and received his Masters degree at The USC Film School. His father, Saul Turteltaub, is a very successful television producer with credits on hit shows such as Sanford & Son, What's Happening, That Girl and Love American Style.

Next up for Jon Turteltaub is the remake of the Japanese film, Shall We Dance, starring Tom Hanks. The Miramax/Disney production is scheduled to begin shooting in Fall 2000.

Turteltaub currently resides in Los Angeles.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2000.

John Turteltaub Facts

OccupationDirector

Selected Filmography

Not available.