Neal Israel

Neal Israel has sustained an enduring career in Hollywood as a writer, director, producer, and even an occasional actor, though he is best known for writing a few hit comedies of the 1980s, including "Police Academy" and "Bachelor Party." He broke into the business as a writer on the animated series "Yogi's Gang" in the early '70s before following with his first feature, sharing both writing and directing credit on "Tunnel Vision," an unsuccessful string of sketches about an uncensored TV station. Other writing, directing, and minor acting gigs followed, leading up to the wildly popular "Police Academy," which he co-wrote with frequent collaborator Pat Proft. That same year, Israel directed the Tom Hanks comedy "Bachelor Party," again sharing writing credit with Proft. Though his follow-up directorial effort, "Moving Violations," received little praise, his next script, for the goofy science fiction campus comedy "Real Genius," helped create a cult favorite and boosted star Val Kilmer's career. Israel worked on less notable projects after that, co-writing the "Talking" baby sequel, "Look Who's Talking Too," and teaming with then-wife Amy Heckerling (they divorced in 1984). While mostly directing and producing for TV movies and series since then, Israel also served as executive producer on the Oscar-nominated fantasy "Finding Neverland."