Jon Turteltaub Biography

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JON TURTELTAUB (Director / Producer) is a director known for his intelligent treatment of comedy, drama and action in a wide range of powerful and memorable films. His most recent films include “Disney's The Kid,” starring Bruce Willis; and “Instinct,” starring Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding,Jr., Donald Sutherland and Maura Tierney.

In 1998, Turteltaub made an essential contribution to one of the most significant and successful television mini-series in history, “From the Earth to the Moon.” The ten-part HBO dramatic series featured different stories surrounding the American conquest of the moon. Turteltaub directed the seventh episode of the series, entitled “That's All There Is,” which portrayed the camaraderie of the crew of Apollo 12. Turteltaub was nominated by the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television for his efforts and the series received ten Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

Turteltaub has also directed five successful films for the Walt Disney Company, including the blockbuster hit “Phenomenon.” Starring John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Forest Whitaker and Kyra Sedgwick, “Phenomenon” was one of the biggest hits of 1996 grossing over $100 million domestically.

In 1993, he directed the surprise hit comedy “Cool Runnings,” the inspiring and playful story of the Jamaican bobsled team, which was Disney's highest grossing live-action film for the year. His other credits include the Sandra Bullock hit romantic comedy “While You Were Sleeping,” and 1992's “3 Ninjas,” which was Disney's most profitable film of the year.

Born in New York City and raised in Beverly Hills, Turteltaub received his BA from Wesleyan University and a Masters degree at the USC Film School. His father, Saul Turteltaub, is a very successful television producer with credits including hit shows such as “Sanford & Son,” “What's Happening,” “That Girl” and “Love American Style.”