Greatest Producers

No producer had a longer or more distinguished career than Hal Wallis did. Robbed of his true credit by studio head Jack Warner, Wallis continued to shine years after leaving the studio system.

The "boy genius" who practically wrote the book on what a Hollywood producer should be, Thalberg started MGM out on the right foot and tragically died before his time.

Witty, funny, hard worker, dedicated to the film business - many filmmakers including Billy Wilder admired and loved Lubitsch for his many contributions to the art of filmmaking.

A taskmaster and disciplinarian Goldwyn still had an eye for talent and supported many filmmakers including William Wyler into many successes. Goldwyn's string of hits is almost impossible to duplicate due in part to the craftsmen who surrounded him.

Overcoming insurmountable odds, Selznick brought "Gone With the Wind" to the screen with such panache that years later it's lost none of its original charm.

One of Hollywood's great producers gave us Katherine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. He must have been doing something right.

Originally hired at Fox to write, Johnson produced many films where studio head (like so many studio heads) Zanuck took credit instead.

Nominated four times for an Oscar, Hornblow never took home the Oscar. His outstanding films include "Gaslight" "Oklahoma" and "Witness for the Prosecution."

Zimbalist worked in Hollywood for years and produced a string of hits only to die during his greatest triumph for which he is the only recipient of a posthumous Oscar for Best Picture - Ben Hur.

Sam Spiegel spent his entire life devoted to films and cinema. Like Sam Goldwyn, Spiegel had a great eye for talent and working with David Lean, garnered two Oscars for two Best Pictures. Spiegel continued great success in Hollywood and still remembered as one of its greatest producers.

Ray Stark backed several successful productions in the 1960's through the 1980's including "Funny Girl" and "The Goodbye Girl", nominated for both. Considered ruthless by some, Stark still managed to make money for Columbia - the job of any producer.

A closeted gay, Hunter still managed to keep his private life separate from his successful film career as a consummate producer with a string of hits starting in the 1950's until the early 1970's.

Michael, along with his then wife Julia, earned the first husband/wife team (and Tony Bill) for their work on "The Sting." They continued to produce a whole series of hit films throughout the 1970's and 1980's.

The man who produced "Star Wars" (and backed George Lucas) also gave us "The Dark Crystal" and other great films.

Winkler produced a plethora of films from the 1970's on. Nominated four times, he won his Oscar for "Rocky"

One can hardly mention Marshall without mentioning his wife and collaborator Kathleen Kennedy. The successful partnership has produced a great line of films, five Oscar nominations and a very closer partnership with director Steven Spielberg.

Nominated eight times for an Oscar but never a bride, no one can argue with Kennedy's incredible talent as a producer, especially in her collaboration with Steven Spielberg. She is one of Hollywood's most successful producers of all time.

Starting with "The Goodbye Girl," Jaffe won his Oscar for "Kramer VS Kramer" and other hits that included "Fatal Attraction."

Unlike his father, Richard Zanuck worked his way through the film industry by befriending and supporting his directors. Considered by many as one of the greatest producers of all time, Zanuck won his Oscar for "Driving Miss Daisy" after already delivering a string of hits that included such blockbusters as "Jaws."

Along with Richard Zanuck, partner Brown supported the team that led to a string of hits but only the Thalberg for the hard worker.

Working with wunderkind Ron Howard, Grazer produced many of Howard's films and won his Oscar for "A Beautiful Mind."

Cubby had a long distinguished career not only as great producer of films but as the man who brought James Bond to the silver screen. His children carry on that tradition to this day. In 1982, the Academy awarded Broccoli the Thalberg, the highest honor any producer can achieve.

While Osborne produced many films, he will best be known for his work on the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy for which he received an Academy Award for Best Picture.

While still a young man at this writing, Bruce has distinguished himself as one of the top producers in Hollywood, winning an Oscar for "American Beauty" and nominated for such greats as "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Milk."

Honorable mention - Known more for his skills as a director, Kramer also produced many of his own films and was nominated several times but only took home the Thalberg - still a great prize.

Honorable Mention - Known more as a director, Spielberg also produced dozens of films through his long and distinguished career.

While Mirisch took home his Oscar for "Heat of the Night," he will probably be best remembered as the man who delivered "The Magnificent Seven" along with many other great films.

While having a short career as a producer, McCarthy did deliver one of the best with "Patton" and won the Oscar.

Both director and producer, Boorman managed to squeeze out a nomination for "Excalibur" and produced a string of hit films for many years after that.

King of the disaster movies, Allen also gave us a string of television hits that included, "Lost in Space." While he never garnered any nominations, he could still produce such huge all star casts as "Poseidon Adventure" and "Towering Inferno."

In addition to "Midnight Express," Marshall gave us "Basic Instinct" one of the biggest thriller success stories of all time.

Puttnam produced many hit films but won his Oscar for "Chariots of Fire."

Honorable Mention - Nominated six times for an Oscar, Sheridan often produced his own directed films as well as many others.

Honorable Mention - In addition to the numerous award and accolades this great director has garnered, he also produced many film projects.

Honorable Mention - In addition to directing the greatest film of all time - The Godfather - Coppola also produced his movies and many others.

Bender makes the art of producing look easy as he has made more successful films than practically any living producer except Weinstein.

Honorable Mention - In addition to his chores as director, Hackford also produced many of his own works and became President of the Director's Guild in the process. Nominated twice for an Oscar.

Honorable Mention - arguably the greatest film director of all time, Kubrick also produced as well as wrote - the triple threat.

While working in close collaboration with director Clint Eastwood, Lorenz has risen through the ranks as one of the best producers in today's Hollywood scene.

Joel along with his brother Ethan have co-produced some of Hollywood's biggest hits and most innovative movies including "Fargo."

While never receiving an Oscar nomination, no one can argue with Bruckheimer's success as a producer. His films have garnered more box office than those of practically any current producer.

Perhaps one of the most prolific and versatile producers in the world, Rudin is one of the rarest of rare individuals who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Considered of the all time great producers, Rudin is also one of its busiest.