Joe Roth

JOE ROTH

Date of Birth: June 13, 1948

Born and raised in the Big Apple, Roth attended Boston University where he earned a degree in Public Communications. With his degree in hand, he moved to San Francisco and started his career as a production assistant for commercials and feature work. In his spare time he ran the lights for the improvisational comedy group, Pitchel Players, and booked movies for film theaters.

Along with Pitchel Players, Roth moved to Los Angeles and began producing their shows in 1974. Two years later he produced and acted in the independent film, Tunnel Vision, which made a substantial profit, and Roth decided to continue pursuing feature film work. He produced a number of films for the next ten years before attempting another role behind the camera. Acting as both director and producer for the film Streets of Gold was a rewarding experience, but one that required a lot of juggling. He tried it again a year later with the blockbuster film, Revenge of the Nerds: Nerds in Paradise.

In 1989, he became the chairman of 20th Century Fox and guided the company through two very successful years, releasing films like Home Alone, The Last of the Mohicans and Die Hard 2. By January 1993, he had created Caravan Pictures and left Fox to work on his own company.

Throughout the '90s he continued to produce successful films including The Three Musketeers, Angels in the Outfield, Angie, and While You Were Sleeping. In 1998 he became the chairman of Walt Disney Studios. The position was short lived however, as by 2000 he left to form another new company.

Roth lives with his wife and fellow producer, Donna, and their two children in Los Angeles.

Filmography:

Freedomland (2006)
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
America's Sweethearts (2001)
Coupe de Ville (1990)
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987)
Streets of Gold (1986)