Jeremy Leven
About
Biography
Biography
Psychologist, novelist and Harvard professor turned director of Hollywood films with his directorial debut, the romantic fantasy "Don Juan DeMarco" (1995). Leven began his entertainment career in Boston during the late 1960s founding the political revue group The Proposition, which helped launch the careers of "SNL" alum Jane Curtin and "The Love Boat"'s Fred Grandy. Leven went on to graduate work to train for the heady world of psychotherapy where he remained until 1985 when his first novel, "The Creator" was made into a feature starring Peter O'Toole. This also marked Leven's debut as a screenwriter. He fared less well with "Playing for Keeps" (1986), the dubious directorial debut of Miramax studio heads Bob and Harvey Weinstein. While the story of a boy who turns a dilapidated mansion into a rock 'n' roll hotel may have seemed compelling on paper, the finished product failed to make a dent at the box office.
Leven shifted into the director's chair after writing "Don Juan DeMarco." Initially offered as much as $2 million for his script, he held out for a chance to direct. Leven took less money and acquired an impressive cast comprised of Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway. The opened to pleasantly surprised reviews and moderate box office.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Life Events
1968
Founded a satirical revue called The Proposition, which ran in Cambridge, MA and Off-Broadway
1980
Published first novel, Creator
1982
Published second novel, Satan, His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Kassler, J.S.P.S.
1985
First produced screenplay, "Creator"; based on his novel of the same name
1986
Co-scripted with Harvey and Bob Weinstein, "Playing for Keeps"; first film directed by the Weinstein brothers
1994
Directed first film, "Don Juan DeMarco"; also wrote screenplay
2000
Penned the feature adaptation of "The Legend of Bagger Vance"; directed by Robert Redford and starring Will Smith
2002
Adapted his second book into a feature film, "Crazy as Hell"
2003
Produced first feature, "Alex & Emma"; also scripted
2004
Adapted the Nicholas Sparks novel "The Notebook" into a feature film; directed by Nick Cassavetes
2009
Re-teamed with director Nick Cassavetes to adapt "My Sister's Keeper" from the Jodi Picoult novel
2009
Adapted the best-selling novel "The Time Traveler's Wife" into a feature film, starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams
