Brian Robbins
American actor, producer, director

Brian Robbins

The basics
Quick facts
Intro
American actor, producer, director
Gender:
Male
Birth:
22 November 1963(Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA)
Star sign:
Education:
Grant High School
Biography menu
Menu

Jump to

Introduction Career Personal life Filmography Awards and nominations
The details
Biography

Introduction

Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), known professionally as Brian Robbins, is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who is currently the president of Nickelodeon. He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.

Career

Robbins followed his dad Floyd Levine, a prolific character actor, into acting. Brian Robbins made his television acting debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D. He guest starred on a number and television series and a recurring role on General Hospital.As an actor, he is perhaps best known from his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989.

In the 1990s, he started producing All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon. He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also produced One Tree Hill.

Robbins is the founder of AwesomenessTV, a YouTube channel aimed at teenagers, which has spun off into a TV series, of which Robbins is the executive producer. DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013. On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Brian Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, thus ending his five-year run with the company.

On June 7, 2017, Brian Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. Robbins will work with Viacom’s Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and BET brands to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties."

On October 1, 2018, Brian Robbins left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom tapped him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16–month run at the studio. Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players' Nickelodeon films (Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and Paw Patrol:The Movie).

Personal life

Robbins was born Brian Levine in Brooklyn, New York on November 22, 1963. When Robbins was 16, his family moved to Los Angeles. He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.

Robbins is Jewish. He was married to publicist Laura Cathcart, with whom he has two sons, Miles and Justin. They divorced in 2013. Robbins went on to marry his ex-wife's friend, Tracy James. They have a daughter together.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
1995 The Show Yes Yes No Documentary film
1997 Good Burger Yes Yes No
1999 Varsity Blues Yes Yes No
2000 Ready to Rumble Yes No No
2001 Hardball Yes Yes No
Summer Catch Yes Yes No
2002 Big Fat Liar No Yes Story
2004 The Perfect Score Yes Yes No
2006 The Shaggy Dog Yes No No
2007 Norbit Yes Executive No Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
2008 Meet Dave Yes No No
2012 A Thousand Words Yes Yes No Filmed in 2008

Producer only

  • Coach Carter (2005)
  • Wild Hogs (2007)
  • Old Dogs (2009)
  • The To Do List (2013)
  • Before I Fall (2017)
  • Bigger Fatter Liar (2017) (Executive producer)

Television

Year Title Director Executive
Producer
Writer Notes
1988 Head of the Class No No Yes Episode "Will the Real Arvid Engen Please Stand Up?"
1994 All That No Yes Yes Also creator
1996 Kenan & Kel Yes Yes No 5 episodes
1998-2001 Cousin Skeeter Yes Yes Yes Also creator;
Wrote "A Family Thing", directed "Skeeter's Toy Story"
1999 Popular Yes No No Episode "The Phantom Menace"
2001 The Nightmare Room Yes Yes No Episode "Four Eyes"
2002 Birds of Prey Yes Yes No Episode "Pilot"
2005 All That 10th Anniversary Reunion Special No No Yes TV special
2010 Blue Mountain State Yes Yes No 2 episodes
2011 Supah Ninjas Yes Yes No 2 episodes

Executive producer only

  • The Amanda Show (2000-2001)
  • Smallville (2001-2011)
  • The Nick Cannon Show (2002)
  • What I Like About You (2002-2006)
  • One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
  • Crumbs (2006)
  • Sonny with a Chance (2009-2011)
  • Fred: The Movie (2010)
  • AwesomenessTV (2013-2015)

Acting credits

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Harper Valley PTA Charlie's Nephew Episode "The Return of Charlie's Chow Palace"
Archie Bunker's Place Danny Ferguson Episode "Double Date"
The Facts of Life Ben Episode "For the Asking"
Taxi Young Man Episode "Alex the Gofer"
1983 Three's Company Episode "Praise the Lord and Pasta Ammunition"
Knight Rider Randy Merritt Episode "Soul Survivor"
1984 Diff'rent Strokes Skyhigh Episode "Undercover Lover"
Newhart Rob Episode "The Fan"
1985 Charles in Charge Todd Baldwin Episode "Mr. President"
Growing Pains Mitch Episode "Dirt Bike"
1986 The Gladiator Jeff Benton TV movie
Mr. Belvedere Eric Episode "The Dropout"
1986-1991 Head of the Class Eric Mardian 114 episodes
1987 Kids Incorporated Brian Episode "Win a Date with Renee"
1988 Cellar Dweller Phillip Lemley
1989 C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. Steve Williams
1990 Camp Cucamonga Roger Berg TV movie
1992 Full House David Janolari Episodes "Captain Video: Part 1" and "Captain Video: Part 2"
1997 Kenan & Kel Risotto Episode "Safe and Sorry"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result Category Film or series
1993 Heartland Film Festival Won Crystal Heart Award Hardwood Dreams
1995 Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Informational Special Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream
1996 CableACE Award Won Children's Special - 7 and Older Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal
1997 Directors Guild of America Award Nominated Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal
1998 Won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal
2005 Black Movie Awards Nominated Outstanding Motion Picture Coach Carter