Will Gluck
Biography
Biography
Writer-producer-director Will Gluck's resume undoubtedly provided a great deal of inspiration for aspiring filmmakers. Though it had a long list of critically praised but ratings-challenged sitcoms, Gluck went on to direct "Easy A" (2010) and "Friends with Benefits" (2011), two of the wittiest and most crowd-pleasing comedies to emerge from Hollywood in many years. His perseverance in the face of seemingly ceaseless rejection did little to dampen his skill at screwball-style dialogue and pacing, which further elevated his features beyond the usual industry fare. Meanwhile, he displayed an ability to draw winning comic turns from actors outside the Hollywood laugh track, like Emma Stone, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church, Richard Jenkins and Woody Harrelson. Though his feature career was relatively brief in comparison to his television efforts, Gluck's work underscored the all-too-often-forgotten fact that talent, taste and hard work yield positive results and can lead to a successful career.
Gluck began his career in television, first as story editor on the NBC sitcom "The Single Guy" (1995-1997) and later as a writer for "The John Laroquette Show" (NBC, 1993-1996) in its final, sanitized year on the air. He moved on to stints as story editor and producer on several more well regarded, but short-lived sitcoms like "Working" (NBC, 1997-1998), "Grosse Point" (The WB, 2000-01), the Emmy-winning animated comedy "Gary & Mike" (UPN, 2001) and "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" (Fox, 2002-03). His knack for breezy wordplay allowed him to graduate to creator and executive producer of "Luis" (Fox, 2003), a blue-collar comedy starring character actor Luis Guzman that was too was quickly pulled from the air in mid-season. In 2006, he delivered his second turn as series creator with "The Loop" (Fox, 2006-07), a witty sitcom starring Bret Harrison as a young employee who balances a diet of eccentric co-workers and friends. Critically praised for its fast-paced dialogue and clever, quirky character, the show's premise was nonetheless reworked prior to its second season in order to focus on Harrison's relationship with his co-workers. Apparently dissatisfied with the results, Fox cancelled the series before the retooled effort aired. The remaining episodes were burned off with no fanfare in the summer of 2007.
Two years later, Gluck made his debut as a feature director with "Fired Up!" (2009), a cheeky teen comedy about a pair of high school football players (Eric Christian Olsen and Nicholas D'Agosto), who become cheerleaders in order to meet girls. However, the film was dismissed by most critics and disappeared from theaters after only a few weeks. Undaunted, Gluck rebounded the following year with "Easy A" (2010), a smart and witty comedy with Emma Stone as a headstrong young woman who observed how a blithe lie about losing her virginity changed her social standing from outsider to class vixen. Gluck and screenwriter Bert V. Royal elevated the story from teen sex comedy to comedy of manners and errors, with a stellar cast that included Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci bringing genuine heart and humor to the proceedings. "Easy A" not only helped turn the Golden Globe-nominated Stone into a star, but also elevated Gluck to the top echelon of Hollywood comedy directors.
In 2011, Gluck solidified his standing in the industry with "Friends with Benefits" (2011), a racy comedy with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis as newly minted friends who decide to solve their respective issues with romance by launching a relationship based purely on physical needs. As with "Easy A," the film benefited hugely from its engaging cast, which featured Stone, Clarkson, Richard Jenkins and an unbridled turn by Woody Harrelson as Timberlake's gay co-worker. A hit with moviegoers in that summer, the film built a strong groundswell of interest in Gluck's next projects. The producer-director was soon attached to several high-profile comedies, including a remake of "About Last Night" (1986) and "Sex on the Moon" (2013), an adaptation of Ben Mezrich's book about a NASA employee who stole a moon rock in order to impress the object of his affections.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Writer (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Life Events
