Brian Robbins
Levine in 2023
Born
Brian Levine

(1963-11-22) November 22, 1963
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Television producer
  • film producer
  • director
  • actor
Years active1982–present
Spouses
Laura Cathcart
​
(div. 2013)​
    Tracy James
    ​
    (m. 2014)​
    Children3
    RelativesFloyd Levine (father)

    Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), better known as Brian Robbins, is an American film and television producer and director. He has been the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon since 2021, and is also the CCO of the Kids & Family division of Paramount+. In 2012, he co-founded the media network Awesomeness TV.

    Prior, Robbins was a recurring cast member for the television series Head of the Class (1986–1991), and joined Nickelodeon in 1994 as the creator/lead writer of the sketch comedy series All That the same year. He made his directorial debut in 1995 with the hip hop documentary The Show, and directed the hit teen comedy film Good Burger two years later. Despite moderate commercial success, the critical reception for his productions has been largely negative.[1]

    Early life

    Robbins was born Brian Levine in New York City's Brooklyn borough on November 22, 1963, the son of actor Floyd Levine.[2] When he was 16, he moved with his family to Los Angeles.[3] He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.[4]

    Career

    Following his father into acting,[2] Robbins made his television debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D.[4] He guest starred on a number of television series and had a recurring role on General Hospital.[4] As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class.[4] He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989.

    Robbins in 1988

    In the 1990s, Robbins started producing the show All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon.[2] He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also One Tree Hill. He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.[2]

    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.[5] DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013.[6] On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, thus ending his five-year run with the company.[7]

    On June 7, 2017, Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. He worked with Viacom's brands Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties".[8] On October 1, 2018, he left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom chose him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio.[9] Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players division Nickelodeon Movies.[10] He became head of Paramount Pictures in September 2021.[11][12]

    Personal life

    Robbins is Jewish.[13] He married publicist Laura Cathcart and they had two sons together, Miles and Justin, before divorcing in 2013. He married stylist Tracy James in 2014.[14] They have a daughter named Stella and live with his sons in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[14][15]

    Filmography

    Film

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

    Producer only

    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

    Special thanks

    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[16] Young Man Episode "Alex the Gofer"
    1983 Teachers Only Vinnie Minetti Episodes "Praise the Lord and Pasta Ammunition" & "Rex, the Wonder Husband"
    Three's Company Mark Furley Episode "Janet's Little Helper"
    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 (shared with Mike Tollin)
    1995 Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Informational Special Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream (shared with Debra Martin Chase, Fredric Golding, Dorian Harewood, David Houle, Tom McMahon, Pat Mitchell, Jack Myers, Vivian Schiller, Mike Tollin, Denzel Washington)
    1996 CableACE Award Won Children's Special - 7 and Older Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (shared with Leonard Armato, Bruce Binkow, Robert Mickelson, Shaquille O'Neal, Mike Tollin, For the special "4 Points")
    1997 Directors Guild of America Award Nominated Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (for the special "4 Points")
    1998 Won Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (shared with W. Alexander Ellis, Cynthia Riddle, Brad Uecker: for episode "First Time")
    2005 Black Movie Awards Nominated Outstanding Motion Picture Coach Carter (shared with David Gale, Mike Tollin)

    References

    1. ↑ "Don't Make Fun of Brian Robbins: Here's Why Paramount's Best Hope is the Director of 'Norbit'". September 26, 2021.
    2. 1 2 3 4 Koch, Neal (December 1, 2002). "Business; Stepping Up in TV, Without Stepping on Toes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
    3. ↑ Nicewonger, Kirk (July 30, 1988). "Busy, busy time for Brian Robbins". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
    4. 1 2 3 4 Knutzen, Eirik (October 4, 1987). "Rebel jumps to 'Head of the Class'". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
    5. ↑ Chmielewski, Dawn C. (August 7, 2012). "YouTube channel AwesomenessTV attracts outside funding" Archived April 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Los Angeles Times.
    6. ↑ Lieberman, David (May 1, 2013). "DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $33M+ For AwesomenessTV" Archived July 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Deadline Hollywood.
    7. ↑ Jarvey, Natalie (February 22, 2017). "Brian Robbins and AwesomenessTV" Archived March 6, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. The Hollywood Reporter.
    8. ↑ McNary, Dave (June 7, 2017). "Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins". Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
    9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2018). "Brian Robbins Named President Of Nickelodeon". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
    10. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 1, 2018). "Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
    11. ↑ "About | ViacomCBS". ViacomCBS. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
    12. ↑ Hayes, Dade (September 13, 2021). "Paramount Pictures Revamp Made Official By ViacomCBS: Jim Gianopulos Exits, Brian Robbins Takes Over; David Nevins Adds Par TV To Portfolio". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
    13. ↑ Bloom, Nate. "Interfaith Celebrities: Meet Dave, Elizabeth Banks, and Jean Sarkozky". InterfaithFamily. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
    14. 1 2 Rus, Mayer (February 26, 2020). "Inside a Dreamy Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent–Designed 1925 Tudor". Architectural Digest. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
    15. ↑ "Brian Robbins". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
    16. ↑ Michael Lessac (director) (2014). Taxi: Die Finale Season [The Final Season] (DVD) (in German and English). Germany: Paramount Home Media Distribution / Paramount Home Entertainment (Germany).
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