Steve Oedekerk
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
This minor stand-up comic and TV sketch comedy writer of the late 1980s and early 90s made a high- profile feature debut as a writer-director with "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" (1995), the eagerly awaited sequel to "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994), the surprise comedy smash that launched Jim Carrey's film career. Oedekerk's Carrey connection proved pivotal to his career. The two met when both were performers at the Comedy Store and later collaborated (as well as shared an office) when Oedekerk joined the writing staff of Fox's "In Living Color"--where Carrey had become the most prominent performer--during the 1992-93 season. Previously, he had appeared in a bit part in "Casual Sex?" (1988), done a guest shot on the ABC sitcom "Full House," performed in a Showtime comedy special ("Jimmie Walker & Friends III," 1990) and wrote (and acted in) an unreleased comedy feature entitled "High Strung/Pissed Off" (1991).
By the end of his stint on "In Living Color," Oedekerk had completed and sold the original screenplay "Nothing to Lose" (1997), a buddy movie that paired Martin Lawrence and Tim Robbins. He also directed and played a bit role in the movie, which did not exactly bowl over critics or audiences. Oedekerk quickly lined up a series of assignments including co-writing the 1996 remake of "The Nutty Professor" as a vehicle for Eddie Murphy. He went on to headline his own 1997 NBC comedy special "steve.oederkerk.com" and wrote the treacly script for the Robin Williams vehicle "Patch Adams" (1998).
In 1999, Oedekerk premiered "Thumb Wars" (UPN), a spoof of George Lucas' "Star Wars" franchise using thumbs dressed as characters. He quickly spun the idea off into an Internet-related site (thumb.com, part of www.ochannel.com). His next project proved to be a winner in many ways. Oedekerk was one of the creative forces behind the animated feature "Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius" (2001), which became a surprise nominee for the first Best Animated Feature Academy Award. By the time the movie, about an inventive young boy who takes on space aliens to save the world, was opening in theaters, Nickelodeon had already committed to producing a TV series spin-off which premiered in 2002.
A fan of Hong Kong martial arts films, Oedekerk took a page from early Woody Allen and obtained the rights to "Tiger & Crane Fists" (1976) and altered the movie, dubbing all the characters' voices, inserting himself into scenes digitally and filming new material to create "Kung Pow: Enter the Fist!" (2002). The result of recent footage edited into the existing material was amusing to some, dull to others. Later that same year, he served as a producer on the comedy "Juwanna Man."
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Director (Special)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Producer (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Life Events
1988
Feature acting debut, a bit part in the comedy "Casual Sex?"
1989
First TV guest shot, an episode of "Full House" (ABC)
1990
Performed stand-up as a guest on the Showtime comedy special "Jimmie Walker & Friends III"
1991
Feature screenwriting debut, "High Strung/Pissed Off"; had a 1992 festival screening before being shelved
1994
Consulted on the Carrey feature comedy "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"; first collaboration with writer-director Tom Shadyac
1995
Feature directorial debut, "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls"; also scripted
1996
With Shadyac, co-wrote the screenplay for "The Nutty Professor" remake starring Eddie Murphy
1997
Hosted NBC special "steve.oederkerk.com" and created related website (address later changed to www.ochannel.com)
1997
Wrote and directed "Nothing to Lose"; also acted
1998
Founded O Entertainment (date approximate)
1998
Was co-producer and screenwriter of "Patch Adams", directed by Shadyac
1999
Executive produced, wrote and voiced several characters of "Thumb Wars", a UPN paraody special of "Star Wars"
2001
Was one of the screenwriters and one of the producers of the Oscar-nominated animated feature "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius"; produced and wrote for the 2002 spin-off TV series on Nickelodeon
2002
Produced, directed, wrote, starred and dubbed all the voices for the martial arts comedy "Kun Pow: Enter the Fist!"
2003
Penned the comedy, "Bruce Almighty" starring Jim Carrey
2006
Helmed the animated feature, "Barnyard," the story of what happens on a farm when the humans in charge are not around
2007
Co-wrote "Evan Almighty" the sequel to the 2003 film "Bruce Almighty"
Family
Companions
