Michael De Luca
About
Biography
Biography
Michael De Luca was an American movie producer and screenwriter whose most notable productions were the Academy Award-nominated films "The Social Network" (2010), "Moneyball" (2011), and "Captain Phillips" (2013). De Luca was born on August 13, 1965 and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Instead of pursuing his degree first, De Luca dived right into showbiz in 1986 as a writer. Just a few years after his start in the film industry, he acted as the associate producer of the horror film sequel "Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III" (1990). He continued to work on other horror-themed productions such of "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare" (1991), as both screenwriter and executive producer. As the years progressed, De Luca climbed the ranks of the industry, particularly at New Line Cinema. He was eventually named the company's president of production, with blockbuster films such as "Boogie Nights" (1997) and "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999) released under his watch. Afterwards, De Luca became president of production at DreamWorks, from 2001 until his contract expired in 2004. Sony approached him to start his own production company called Michael De Luca Productions, with the Nicolas Cage-led comic flick "Ghost Rider" (2007) as the company's first release. Beginning in 2010, De Luca was the producer of several films that were recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. De Luca received his first Best Picture Oscar nomination and Golden Globe Award as the producer of "The Social Network" (2010), a fact-based film that told the story of the founding of the social media giant Facebook. The next year, he received another Best Picture nomination for "Moneyball" (2011) which starred Brad Pitt as Oakland Athletics manager Billy Beane. He was nominated once again for "Captain Phillips" (2013), which was based on the Maersk Alabama hijacking near Somalia and starred Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks. By the time that film was nominated, De Luca had moved into a new position as President of Production at Columbia Pictures.
Filmography
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Special Thanks (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Producer (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1984
Began working as an intern at New Line Cinema at age 19 while completing his undergraduate degree at NYU
1986
Formally joined New Line
1988
Associate produced the feature, "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III"
1988
Co-wrote the premiere episode of the syndicated TV series, "Freddy's Nightmares"; has also served as an executive story consultant for the series
1989
Appointed vice president for creative development at New Line
1991
Executive produced and wrote the screenplay for the feature film, "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare"
1991
Wrote for and served as an executive story consultant on the CBS series, "Dark Justice"
1992
Named senior vice president of production at New Line Cinema in April
1992
In October, promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of New Line's productions unit
1993
Named president of production at New Line
1994
Executive produced "The Mask", starring Jim Carrey
1995
Penned the screenplay for and executive produced "In the Mouth of Madness"
1997
Began affiliation with Paul Thomas Anderson on "Boogie Nights"
1997
Served as executive producer of the satirical comedy "Wag the Dog"
1998
At a party held at the home of William Morris Agency president Arnold Rifkin, reportedly engaged in a consensual sexual act with a female while guest looked on; according to the Los Angeles Times, was escorted from the property by security guards
1998
Greenlit "Town & Country", a romantic comedy starring Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Warren Beatty; the film's troubled production dragged on for almost two years before it was completed; released theatrically in 2001
1998
Was co-executive producer of the controversial "American History X"
1999
Executive produced the box-office hit sequel "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me"
1999
Reteamed with P.T. Anderson on "Magnolia"
2000
Served as an executive producer on the historical drama "Thirteen Days"
2001
Executive produced "Blow", a biopic of cocaine dealer George Jung starring Johnny Depp
2001
Left New Line (February)
2001
Joined DreamWorks as production president and COO (June)