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Joel Schumacher

Joel Schumacher is renowned for his versatility, style and ability to move seamlessly between film genres with equal popular success and critical acclaim. He began his film career as a costume designer for such legendary directors as Woody Allen (Sleeper, Interiors) and Herbert Ross (The Last of Shiela), before making his own name as a screenwriter with Sparkle and Car Wash. After cutting his teeth directing two television movies, Joel made his feature film directorial debut on The Incredible Shrinking Woman in 1981. His career soon took off with such iconic fare as St. Elmo's Fire and The Lost Boys, followed by other successes - Cousins, Flatliners, Dying Young and Falling Down. He would go on to direct film versions of two best selling novels by John Grisham (The Client and A Time to Kill) as well as two installments of the blockbuster Batman film series, Batman Forever (which co-starred Jim Carrey as 'The Riddler') and Batman & Robin.

Most recently, he brought audiences the films 8MM, Flawless (which he also wrote), Tigerland, Phone Booth, Bad Company and Veronica Guerin. In 2004 he adapted Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical, The Phantom of the Opera, for the screen. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and a Golden Globe for best musical/comedy.

Shumacher will soon begin shooting his next film, Town Creek, a horror film for Gold Circle Film and Lionsgate, on location in Bucharest, Romania.

The Number 23 marks Joel Schumacher's 23rd film or television directorial assignment.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2007.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Joel Schumacher Facts

OccupationDirector, Screenwriter
BirthdayAugust 29, 1939 (84)
SignVirgo
BirthplaceNew York, New York, USA
Height6' 3" (1m91)  How tall is Joel Schumacher compared to you?

Selected Filmography

The Phantom of the Opera
The Lost Boys
Batman Forever
Batman & Robin
St. Elmo's Fire
The Number 23
Falling Down
The Client
House of Cards: Season 1
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