James L. Brooks Net Worth

What is James L. Brooks' Net Worth?

James L. Brooks is an American director, screenwriter, and producer with a net worth of $550 million. Brooks has created iconic television shows such as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970–1977), "Rhoda" (1974–1978), "Phyllis" (1975–1977), "Lou Grant" (1977–1982), and "Taxi" (1978–1983). He has won several awards for his work on "Terms of Endearment" (1983), "Broadcast News" (1987), and "As Good as It Gets" (1997). Brooks also played a pivotal role in the development of "The Simpsons" (1989–present). Furthermore, he produced "The Tracy Ullman Show" (1987–1990), earning two Primetime Emmys for his efforts.

Early Life

James Lawrence Brooks was born on May 9, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in a Jewish household in North Bergen, New Jersey, Brooks faced a challenging childhood after his father, Edward, left their family. Despite these hardships, Brooks found solace in reading and writing. He attended Weehawken High School, where he contributed to the school newspaper and interviewed celebrities such as Louis Armstrong.

Television Career

Brooks began his television career as a host for CBS, thanks to his sister's assistance. He landed a permanent copywriting position at "CBS News," where he joined the Writers Guild of America. In 1965, Brooks moved to Los Angeles to write for David L. Wolper-produced documentaries and became an associate producer on the TV series "Men in Crisis." Meeting producer Allan Burns led to writing opportunities for "My Mother the Car" (1966). His career took off as he wrote for "That Girl" (1966–1967), "The Andy Griffith Show" (1968), "My Three Sons" (1968), and "The Doris Day Show" (1968). In 1969, he created the ABC series "Room 222," which aired 113 episodes before concluding in 1974. Brooks and Burns later collaborated on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," a significant success that inspired spin-offs "Rhoda," "Phyllis," and "Lou Grant."

In 1974, Brooks produced the television film "Thursday's Game" and created the CBS sitcom "Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers." He co-founded the John Charles Walters Company, producing "Taxi" in 1978. Following "Taxi," Brooks returned to film work before collaborating with Tracey Ullman to launch "The Tracey Ullman Show" in 1987. This project eventually led to the creation of "The Simpsons," which premiered in 1989 and has aired over 690 episodes. Brooks also produced "Sibs" (1991–1992), "Phenom" (1993), "The Critic" (1994–1995), and "What About Joan" (2001). In 1997, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

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Film Career

Brooks began his film career with "Starting Over" (1979) and found massive success with "Terms of Endearment" (1983), earning three Oscars. He continued to succeed with "Broadcast News" (1987) and produced beloved films like "Big" (1988) and "The War of the Roses" (1989). In the 1990s, Brooks wrote, directed, and produced "I'll Do Anything" (1994) and "As Good as It Gets" (1997). He also produced "Bottle Rocket" (1996) and "Jerry Maguire" (1996). Beyond the 2000s, Brooks created "The Simpsons Movie" (2007), which grossed $527.4 million worldwide, and also produced two "Simpsons" short films, "The Longest Daycare" (2012) and "Playdate with Destiny" (2020).

Awards and Nominations

James L. Brooks has received numerous accolades, including eight Academy Award nominations, with three wins for "Terms of Endearment." His other awards include Golden Globes, Directors Guild of America awards, and multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. The Writers Guild of America recognized him with the Herb Sargent Award, the Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement, and the Laurel Award for Screen Writing Achievement. Brooks has also won Career Achievement Awards from the Gold Derby Awards and the PGA Awards, among other honors.

Personal Life

Brooks first married Marianne Catherine Morrissey in 1964, and they had a daughter, Amy, before divorcing in 1972. He then married Holly Beth Holmberg in 1978, with whom he had three children: Chloe, Cooper, and Joseph. This marriage ended in 1999. Brooks is a staunch Democrat, donating over $175,000 to candidates like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Al Franken.

Real Estate

In 1990, James and Holly purchased a Malibu home, which James listed for $8 million in 2001. After their divorce, Holly acquired a desirable Malibu property for $5.1 million, later putting it up for sale at $16 million in 2020. For decades, James has lived in Brentwood.