Duncan Kenworthy
About
Biography
Biography
When Duncan Kenworthy took a leave of absence from his duties with Jim Henson Productions to produce a "little" film he couldn't have imagined that the Oscar-nominated Best Picture "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (1994) would become the most commercially successful British film of all time and alter the course of his career forever. Beginning at the Children's Television Workshop in the 1970s, he worked on "Sesame Street" and later produced an Arabic version of the popular educational staple for Kuwaiti TV. His first feature credit came as associate producer of Henson and Frank Oz's "The Dark Crystal" (1982), and he served as producer of HBO's "Fraggle Rock" (1983) and segments of "The Storyteller" (NBC, 1987-88; five unaired episodes debuted on HBO in 1997), both products of Henson Associates, as well as for "The Jim Henson Hour" (NBC, 1989).
On the heels of his "Four Weddings and a Funeral" success, Kenworthy co-founded DNA Films with "Trainspotting" (1996) producer Andrew Macdonald. In 1998, DNA Films signed an agreement with the Arts Council of England to run one of the three film franchises funded by Britain's National Lottery. Receiving more than $45 million in lottery funds, the production company embarked on the ambitious task of making 16 films with commercial appeal over the ensuing six years. This attempt to revive Britain's flagging film industry prompted Kenworthy to tell New York's Daily News (July 4, 1999): "We want to make films that aren't consigned to the arthouse." His reteaming with "Four Weddings" screenwriter Richard Curtis produced another big winner, "Notting Hill" (1999), which soared on the wings of star Julia Roberts' popularity. DNA's first efforts, "Strictly Sinatra" and "The Final Curtain" (both 2001) began appearing in the new millennium.
Filmography
Producer (Feature Film)
Visual Effects (Feature Film)
Producer (Special)
Producer (Short)
Producer (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1982
Teamed with Muppets creator Jim Henson as associate producer on the fantasy film "The Dark Crystal"
1983
Produced HBO series "Fraggle Rock", executive produced by Henson
1985
Credited as Creature Shop producer for "Dreamchild"
1987
Served as executive in charge of production for "Hans My Hedgehog", the first segment of an irregular series entitled "The Storyteller" (NBC)
1989
Co-produced "The Jim Henson Hour" (NBC)
1994
Produced the hit comedy "Four Weddings and a Funeral", starring Hugh Grant; first collaboration with screenwriter Richard Curtis; received Oscar nomination as Best Picture
1995
Founded Toledo Pictures
1996
Produced NBC's acclaimed, Emmy-winning miniseries "Gulliver's Travels", staring Ted Danson
1997
Produced John Duigan's independent feature "Lawn Dogs"
1997
With producer Andrew Macdonald, founded DNA Films
1998
DNA Films signed an agreement with the Arts Council of England to run one of the three film franchises funded by Britain's National Lottery
1999
Reteamed with Curtis to score another big hit with "Notting Hill", starring Grant and Julia Roberts
2001
Served as executive producer (with Macdonald) of "Strictly Sinatra" and "The Final Curtain"
2003
Produced the comedy "Love Actually," which starred Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson; recevied a golden globe nomination for best comedy picture
