Paul Schiff
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Paul Schiff is an American film producer.


Early life and education

Schiff was raised in
Bethesda, Maryland Bethesda () is an unincorporated, census-designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. Located just northwest of Washington, D.C., it is a major business and government center of the Washington metropolitan region ...
, one of three sons of Charlotte, a television and publishing executive, and Edward Schiff, a real estate lawyer. His brothers are actor
Richard Schiff Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Toby Ziegler on ''The West Wing'', a role for which he received an Emmy Award. Schiff made his television directorial debut with ''The West Wing'', directing an ...
and talent manager David Schiff. He graduated in film studies from
Wesleyan University Wesleyan University ( ) is a Private university, private liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Middletown, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1831 as a Men's colleges in the United States, men's college under the Methodi ...
, where his roommate was actor
Bradley Whitford Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959) is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman in the NBC television political drama ''The West Wing'' (1999–2006), for which he ...
.


Career

Schiff began his career as a documentary cameraman in his hometown of
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
before moving into directing for
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
, where he was on staff for four years during the early days of the fledgling cable channel. His success at the network led to an introduction to film executive
Joe Roth Joseph Emanuel Roth (born June 13, 1948) is an American film executive, producer and director. He co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment in 1988 and was chairman of 20th Century Fox (1989–1993), Caravan Pictures (1993–1994), and Walt Dis ...
, who would go on to become his mentor. Roth hired Schiff as associate producer on the boxing drama, ''
Streets of Gold ''Streets of Gold'' is the third studio album by American electronic music duo 3OH!3. It was released on June 29, 2010 in the United States and July 19, 2010 in the United Kingdom. The album debuted at number seven on the US ''Billboard'' 200, ...
'' (1986), which was Roth's directorial debut, as well as his follow up '' Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise'' (1987). Schiff then became a vice president of production under Roth at
Morgan Creek Productions Morgan Creek Entertainment, LLC is an American film production company, former sales agent and investor, that has released box-office hits including ''Young Guns (film), Young Guns'', ''Dead Ringers (film), Dead Ringers'', ''Major League (film), ...
, where he developed and supervised numerous projects, and co-produced the westerns '' Young Guns'' (1988) and its sequel, ''
Young Guns II ''Young Guns II'' is a 1990 American Western action film and a sequel to '' Young Guns'' (1988). It stars Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Christian Slater, and features William Petersen as Pat Garrett. It was writte ...
'' (1990). He also produced Roth's 1990 drama, ''
Coupe de Ville A coupe or coupé (, ) is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and typically with two doors. The term ''coupé'' was first applied to horse-drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats. It comes from the Fr ...
''. After three years, Schiff secured an independent production deal at
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc., formerly 20th Century Fox, is an American film studio, film production and Film distributor, distribution company owned by the Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios, the film studios division of the ...
, where Roth was now chairman. Schiff spent seven years at the studio in a production deal, where he produced films including ''
My Cousin Vinny ''My Cousin Vinny'' is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn and written by Dale Launer. It stars Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill, and Fred Gwynne in his final film app ...
'', starring
Joe Pesci Joseph Frank Pesci ( , ; born February 9, 1943) is an American actor and musician. He is best known for portraying tough, volatile characters, in a variety of genres, and for his collaborations with his best friend, Robert De Niro in the films ' ...
and
Marisa Tomei Marisa Tomei ( , ; born December 4, 1964) is an American actress. She gained prominence for her comedic performance in '' My Cousin Vinny'' (1992), which earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She received further nominations ...
'', The Vanishing'', the American adaptation of George Sluizer's Dutch thriller; the ''Animal House''-inspired campus comedy '' PCU''; and the sci-fi thriller ''
Ghost in the Machine The "ghost in the machine" is a term originally used to describe and critique the concept of the mind existing alongside and separate from the body. In more recent times, the term has several uses, including the concept that the intellectual part ...
''. After his stint at Fox, Schiff reteamed with Roth at Disney in a production deal, where he produced
Wes Anderson Wesley Wales Anderson (born May 1, 1969) is an American filmmaker. Wes Anderson filmography, His films are known for themes of grief, loss of innocence, and dysfunctional families. Due to his films' eccentricity, distinctive visual and narrative ...
's critically acclaimed film, '' Rushmore''. The film won two
Film Independent Spirit Awards The Independent Spirit Awards, originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards, and later as the Film Independent Spirit Awards, are awards presented annually in Santa Monica, California, to independent filmmakers. Founded in ...
—Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Murray. Schiff continued his long-standing affiliation with Roth at the executive's new production firm,
Revolution Studios Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC (operating as Revolution Studios) is an American independent motion picture and foreign sales company headed by Chief Executive Officer Scott Hemming, founded in 2000, and based in Los Angeles, Los Ang ...
, where he produced ''
Maid in Manhattan ''Maid in Manhattan'' is a 2002 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Wayne Wang and based on a story by John Hughes, who is credited using a pseudonym. It stars Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, and Natasha Richardson. In the film, a ...
'', the hit romantic comedy starring
Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...
and
Ralph Fiennes Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (; born 22 December 1962) is an English actor, film producer, and director. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Ralph Fiennes, various accolades, including a British Academy Film ...
, and Mike Newell’s drama ''
Mona Lisa Smile ''Mona Lisa Smile'' is a 2003 American drama film produced by Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures in association with Red Om Films Productions, directed by Mike Newell, written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, and starring Julia R ...
'', starring
Julia Roberts Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. Known for her leading roles across various genres, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Award ...
, Julia Styles and
Kirsten Dunst Kirsten Caroline Dunst (; born April 30, 1982) is an American actress. She made her acting debut in the anthology film ''New York Stories'' (1989) and has since starred in several film and television productions. She has received several awar ...
. Between that, he worked briefly for
Propaganda Films Propaganda Films (stylized as PЯOPAGAИDA FILMS) was a production company founded in Los Angeles in 1986 by American producer Steve Golin, Icelandic producer Sigurjón Sighvatsson, English director Nigel Dick, and American directors David Fi ...
' film division between 2000 and 2001, before it was shut down. Schiff's producing credits also include '' The Air I Breathe'', '' Numb'', '' Green Street Hooligans'', the 2004 remake of the 1970s classic actioner, '' Walking Tall'', '' Solitary Man'', ''The Truth About Emmanuel'', the ensemble comedy ''Spin'', and the Alaskan-set thriller, '' Into the Grizzly Maze''. In 2015, Schiff completed ''
My All American ''My All American'' is a 2015 American biographical drama sport film based on the life of college football player Freddie Joe Steinmark, Freddie Steinmark. The film was written and directed by Angelo Pizzo. It is based on the book ''Courage Beyo ...
'', an inspirational sports drama starring
Aaron Eckhart Aaron Edward Eckhart (born March 12, 1968) is an American actor. Born in Cupertino, California, Eckhart moved to the United Kingdom at an early age. He began his acting career by performing in school plays, before moving to Australia for his hi ...
and
Robin Tunney Robin Tunney (born June 19, 1972) is an American actress who made her film debut in '' Encino Man'' (1992), and later rose to prominence with headline parts in the cult films ''Empire Records'' (1995) and '' The Craft'' (1996). Her performance in ...
.


Personal life

Schiff's brother is actor
Richard Schiff Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Toby Ziegler on ''The West Wing'', a role for which he received an Emmy Award. Schiff made his television directorial debut with ''The West Wing'', directing an ...
. Schiff and his family are
Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
.״Infidel actor Richard discovered drama in his family's history"
''The Jewish Telegraph.'' www.jewishtelegraph.com Published 2010. Accessed February 12, 2016.


Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.


Film

;Second unit director or assistant director ;As an actor ;Soundtrack


Television


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Schiff, Paul American film producers American people of Jewish descent Living people Mass media people from Bethesda, Maryland Wesleyan University alumni Year of birth missing (living people) 20th-century American philanthropists Jewish American film people