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Robert Zemeckis

Highest Rated: 100% Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer (2016)

Lowest Rated: 0% Ritual (2001)

Birthday: May 14, 1952

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis created popular fare, frequently using the latest technology, that left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. A native of Chicago, he attended the famed film program at the University of Southern California. He teamed with fellow USC alum Bob Gale for the script for his feature directorial debut, the Beatlesmania comedy, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (1978). His work in college had brought him to the attention of director Steven Spielberg, who took Zemeckis under his wing. Working with Gale again, who would become his frequent partner, he provided the script for Spielberg's World War II comedy, "1941" (1979). He directed another comedy, the Kurt Russell vehicle "Used Cars" (1980), before finding significant commercial success with "Romancing the Stone" (1984), starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. His next effort, "Back to the Future" (1985), moved Zemeckis into the blockbuster territory. The story of a time-traveling teenager played by Michael J. Fox became a phenomenon and spawned a pair of sequels. He blended live action and animation, he created another cultural touchstone with "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), a film that brought together the characters from both the vaunted Warner Bros. and Disney cartoon canon. After a decade dominated by the "Back to the Future" franchise, Zemeckis managed to hit upon a film that was technologically innovative and had critically appeal. "Forrest Gump" (1994), starring Tom Hanks, went on to claim Oscars for both its director and star. While largely working in film, the director did make occasional forays into television, most notably directing multiple episodes of the popular horror anthology, "Tales From the Crypt" (HBO, 1989-96). He continued to work with some of Hollywood's biggest names, directing Jodie Foster in "Contact" (1997) and Harrison Ford in "What Lies Beneath" (2000). He circled back to reteam with Hanks on "Cast Away" (2000), in addition to the motion-capture holiday film "The Polar Express" (2004). That particular technology became an obsession for the director as he formed the production company ImageMovers and struck a deal with Disney. He used it exclusively for his next two features, "Beowulf" (2007) and "A Christmas Carol" (2009). He moved back into the live action world, albeit with some showy special effects, for "Flight" (2012) starring Denzel Washington. He never stopped going for stunning visuals, which continued with "The Walk" (2015), about Phillipe Petit's high-wire cross of the World Trade Center, and "Allied" (2016) with Brad Pitt. Zemeckis returned to motion-capture, this time mixing it with live action, when he directed Steve Carell in "Welcome to Marwen" (2018), about the victim of a brutal attack who uses a fantasy world to deal with his PTSD.

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Highest-Rated Movies

100% Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer Watchlist 96% 85% Who Framed Roger Rabbit Watchlist 93% 95% Back to the Future Watchlist
93% 55% Bound by Flesh
Watchlist
92% 72% Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan
Watchlist
90% 75% I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Watchlist
89% 84% Cast Away Watchlist
86% 69% Romancing the Stone
Watchlist
83% 74% Matchstick Men
Watchlist
83% 77% The Walk Watchlist

Filmography

Movies TV Shows
Here 39% 59% 2024 Director, Screenwriter, Producer Pinocchio 27% 27% 2022 Director, Screenwriter, Producer Finch 74% 68% 2021 Executive Producer Roald Dahl's The Witches 49% 32% 2020 Director, Screenwriter, Producer Welcome to Marwen 33% 48% 2018 Director, Screenwriter, Producer The Women of Marwen 2018 Director Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer 100% 2016 Executive Producer Allied 60% 64% 2016 Director, Producer Back in Time 47% 2015 Self The Walk 83% 77% 2015 Director, Screenwriter, Producer Bound by Flesh 93% 55% 2012 Executive Producer Flight 77% 75% 2012 Director, Producer Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan 92% 72% 2011 Actor Real Steel 60% 73% 2011 Executive Producer Mars Needs Moms 35% 40% 2011 Producer Milo und Mars IMAX 3D Experience 2011 Producer Behind the Burly Q 77% 64% 2010 Executive Producer Disney's A Christmas Carol 52% 58% 2009 Director, Screenwriter, Producer Beowulf 71% 50% 2007 Director, Producer The Reaping 7% 49% 2007 Producer Monster House 74% 64% 2006 Executive Producer The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio 59% 74% 2005 Producer House of Wax 28% 44% 2005 Producer The Polar Express 55% 64% 2004 Director, Screenwriter Gothika 15% 45% 2003 Producer
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