Born in Los Angeles, CA; educated at USC. Former story reader and talent agent who has earned a reputation as a creative producer noted for his strong, commercial story sense and sharp eye for emerging talent. Working for Edgar J. Scherick Associates in the late 1970s, Grazer first became actively involved in TV production (on the 1978 movies "Zuma Beach" and "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery"); he then moved into feature films, producing actor-turned-director Ron Howard's first two comedies, NIGHT SHIFT (1982) and SPLASH (1984). Garnering a best story Oscar® nomination for the latter, Grazer joined forces with Howard to form the successful independent production company Imagine Films Entertainment in the mid-80s. With more than 23 Academy Award nominations and 17 Emmy Award nominations for his productions, and as the recipient of numerous distinguishing tributes including 2001's Producers Guild of America's David O. Selznick Lifetime Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures, Brian Grazer is one of the most creative and prolific producers in the entertainment industry. Mr. Grazer has been responsible for some of the industry's most critically-acclaimed projects, and has been the driving force behind some of Hollywood's most successful box-office blockbusters. Among his films produced, which to date have grossed more than $4 billion worldwide, are: SPLASH (1984); KINDERGARDEN COP (1990); RANSOM (1996); LIAR LIAR (1997); APOLLO 13 (1995); THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1996); LIFE (1999); BOWFINGER (1999); NUTTY PROFESSOR 2: THE KLUMPS and DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (the #1 grossing film of 2000 with more than $260 million domestically) (both 2000), A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001), UNDERCOVER BROTHER, BLUE CRUSH and 8 MILE (all 2002), INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, THE CAT IN THE HAT and THE MISSING (all 2003), FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2004), INSIDE DEEP THROAT, CINDERELLA MAN, FLIGHTPLAN, and FUN WITH DICK AND JANE (all 2005), INSIDE MAN and THE DA VINCI CODE (both 2006), BRA BOYS and AMERICAN GANGSTER (both 2007), THE CHANGELING and FROST/NIXON, MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED, JOHNNY BLAZE, RALPH and THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (all 2008), NOTTINGHAM, VIVALDI, EAST OF EDEN, 24 and THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE (all planned for 2009). Grazer's TV projects as producer or executive producer include series such as "Sports Night" (1998-2000), "The PJs" (1999-2000), "The Beast" (2001), "Felicity" (1998-2002), "Arrested Development" (2003-05), "The Inside" (2005), "Miss Match" (2003-05), "Friday Night Lights" (2006-07), "24" (2001-07), and "Shark" (2006-07). He is credited with having launched or boosted the careers of Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and John Candy.  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1984: SPLASH (w. Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel & Bruce Jay Friedman)  Nominated for Best Picture of the Year 1995: APOLLO 13 - Producer at Imagine Entertainment  Best Picture of the Year 2001: A BEAUTIFUL MIND - Producer at Imagine Entertainment (w. Ron Howard) 3 nominations, 1 Award