Adam Shankman
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Adam M. Shankman (born November 27, 1964) is an American film director, dancer, actor, judge on So You Think You Can Dance (season 3), and choreographer. He directed A Walk to Remember, Bringing Down the House, The Pacifier, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and Hairspray. He also danced in videos for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. Shankman also choreographed one of the Spice Girls' tours.
Shankman was born in Los Angeles, California[1] to an upper middle class family.[2] He had a "traditional Jewish upbringing" in Brentwood and attended The Juilliard School.[3]
Shankman is openly gay.[4][5] He officiated the wedding of Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar, with whom he worked while choreographing Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Prior to directing Hairspray, Shankman was known in Hollywood primarily as a fixer of lowbrow films—a director who could take charge of lackluster productions that were expected to flop and turn them into box-office hits. "I've done so many things I'm not super-proud of," he admitted in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Having finally received a plum directing role in Hairspray, he added, "Now that I'm finally really proud of something, if [critics] say this one isn't good either, it will be kind of … taxing."[6]
As of September 2007, Hairspray has become the third-largest grossing American movie musical within the last 30+ years.[7]
[edit] Filmography
- Bedtime Stories (2008) - Director / Producer
- Step Up 2 the Streets (2008) - Producer
- Hairspray (2007) - Director / Choreographer
- Step Up (2006) - Producer / Choreographer
- Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) - Director
- The Pacifier (2005) - Director
- Bringing Down the House (2003) - Director / Producer
- A Walk to Remember (2002) - Director
- The Wedding Planner (2001) - Director / Producer
[edit] References
- ^ Adam Shankman Biography. Film Reference. Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
- ^ Buzz Interview: Hairspray's Nikki Blonsky and Adam Shankman. Sugar Publishing BuzzSugar. Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
- ^ Michael Fox. ‘Hairspray’ director, starlet are kindred (Jewish) spirits. j.. Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
- ^ Gay directors bring home the bacon. The Advocate via LookSmart FindArticles. Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
- ^ Sheigh Crabtree. A wholehearted effort to keep 'Hairspray's' sheen. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Box Office Mojo
[edit] External links
- Adam Shankman at the Internet Movie Database
- Adam Shankman bio
- Interview with The Advocate
- Article by Liz Bremer & Jonas Littfers - "Hairspray" 2007 (2007-01-13, German)
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Shankman, Adam |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Actor, Director, Choreographer, Dancer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 27, 1964 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
fr:Adam Shankman it:Adam Shankman
Categories: 1964 births | American choreographers | American dancers | American film actors | American film directors | American film producers | American Jews | Jewish actors | Jewish American film directors | Gay actors from the United States | LGBT directors | LGBT Jews | Living people | People from Los Angeles | United States film director stubs
