Kevin Misher Biography

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Kevin Misher (Producer) has shepherded scores of motion pictures to vibrant life, both as a studio production executive and most recently as an independent producer. Representing a wide range of genres, his films also reflect his own inclusive interests and curiosity. Misher, whose Misher Films banner is based at Universal Pictures, is currently developing more than a dozen projects for Universal, Paramount and Columbia Pictures, among others, representing all genres, from comedies to thrillers, dramas to fantasy-sci-fi.

These include the real life crime drama Public Enemies, to star Leonardo DiCaprio and to be directed by Michael Mann; Submariner, a Marvel Comics staple written by David Self (Road to Perdition) and to be directed by Chris Columbus; and Strutter, a sports comedy about competitive race walking written by Tim Rasmussen & Vince DiMeglio (Meet the Fockers) and to star Jim Carrey.

From his youth in Queens, New York, Misher knew that one day he would make films. His Wharton School of Business degree in economics brought him initially to HBO in New York, where he served for one year as a financial analyst. Interested more in filmmaking itself, he quit and moved to Los Angeles, without any prospects, to pursue his dream of being a filmmaker.

Like many young people before him, Misher at first found work as a mail room clerk at ICM, then agent's assistant. His keen eye for material earned him the attention of Mike Medavoy at Tri-Star Pictures, where he was hired as a young creative executive.

He ascended the ranks quickly, rising ultimately to the position of Senior Vice President, Production. During his six years at the studio, he oversaw numerous productions, including Rudy, starring Sean Astin, and Donnie Brasco, directed by Mike Newell and starring Johnny Depp.

In 1996, Misher moved to Universal Pictures as Executive Vice President of Production. He ultimately rose to President of Production in just three years, at the age of 33. During his tenure, Universal enjoyed unprecedented success, culminating in 2000 with a billion dollar year, which included five consecutive number one releases.

When Misher first took over at Universal, he scoured the 300-plus projects the studio owned, gravitating toward two in particular, and immediately pushed them into development. The resulting films were two of the studio's biggest hits: The Fast and The Furious, starring Paul Walker and Vin Diesel (which existed initially only as a magazine article that Misher found promising); and the hit comedy Meet the Parents, which Misher developed with director Jay Roach.

During his six years at Universal, Misher supervised production on some of the company's most successful franchises and features, including Out of Sight, The Bone Collector, U-571, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Patch Adams, Hannibal and Erin Brockovich, which was nominated for five Academy Awards®, including Best Picture.

Misher left Universal in 2001 to form his own production company, Misher Films, which has a first-look agreement with Universal. His first project as producer was the hit follow-up to The Mummy franchise, The Scorpion King. His subsequent production for Universal was The Rundown, starring The Rock, Seann William Scott and Christopher Walken.