History Creator / JamesLBrooks

!!! {{Film}}

Brooks is one of only eight directors to win UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for writing, directing and producing a film,[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] accomplishing the triple feat for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment''. He was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. On the small screen, he's known for helping to create such classic TV series as ''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'', and ''Series/{{Taxi}}'', and for being one of the executive producers and original creators of the extremely long-running animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

Brooks is one of only eight directors to win UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for writing, directing and producing a film,[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] accomplishing the triple feat for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment''. He was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. Outside of his big-screen works, Brooks is known as a co-creator and producer of such classic TV series as ''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'', and ''Series/{{Taxi}}'', and as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

Brooks is one of only eight directors to win UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for writing, directing and producing a film,[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] accomplishing the triple feat for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment''. He was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. Outside of his big-screen works, Brooks is known as a co-creator and producer of such classic TV series as ''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'', and ''Series/{{Taxi}}'', and as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running Creator/{{Fox}} animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

[[quoteright:305:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/james_l_brooks_photo.jpg]]

Brooks is one of only eight directors to win UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for writing, directing and producing a film,[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] accomplishing the triple feat for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment''. He was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as a co-creator and producer of such classic television series as ''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'', and ''Series/{{Taxi}}'', and as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running Creator/{{Fox}} animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

Brooks's production company, established in 1984 and named for comedienne Creator/GracieAllen.

Brooks won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only eight directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as a co-creator and producer of such classic television series as ''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'', and ''Series/{{Taxi}}'', and as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running Creator/{{Fox}} animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/james_l_brooks.jpg]]

He won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only eight directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as a co-creator and producer of classic sitcoms (''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'' and ''Series/{{Taxi}}''), as well as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

Won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only eight directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as a co-creator and producer of classic sitcoms (''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'' and ''Series/{{Taxi}}''), as well as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

[[quoteright:260:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/james_l_brooks.jpg]]

Brooks's production company, established in 1984 and named for comedienne Gracie Allen.

Won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only eight directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Return of the King]]''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as a co-creator and producer of classic sitcoms (''Series/Room222'', ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'' and ''Series/{{Taxi}}''), as well as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

The VanityPlate takes place in a cinema room where a lady shushes noisy attendees as the lights dim, and the words "GRACIE FILMS" appear on screen while accompanied by a [[EarWorm catchy]], jazzy, jingle composed by Jeffrey Townsend. On ''TheSimpsons'' Halloween episodes ("Treehouse of Horror"), the lady's "Shh!" is changed to a scream while the catchy, jazzy jingle is replaced with creepy organ music.

James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American producer, director, screenwriter, and occasional actor whose works are usually critical hits. He is friends and a frequent collaborator with music composer Music/HansZimmer. He also has his own production company.

Some people have said that the jingle was inspired by the chorus of the Music/GoWest! song "The King of Wishful Thinking," [[OlderThanTheyThink but the logo and jingle actually predate the song by a couple of years]].

!! Notable works with the involvement of Brooks and or Gracie Films...or just Brooks:

Won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only eight directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Return of the King]]''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as a co-creator and producer of classic sitcoms (''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', ''Series/{{Rhoda}}'' and ''Series/{{Taxi}}''), as well as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

Won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only eight directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Return of the King]]''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

* ''Series/MyMotherTheCar'' (1965-66)

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/james_l_brooks.jpg]]

[[quoteright:180:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/brooks_james_l.jpg]]

James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is a producer, screenwriter, director, and occasional actor whose works are usually critical hits. He is friends and a frequent collaborator with music composer Music/HansZimmer. He also has his own production company.

Brooks' production company, established in 1984 and named for comedienne Gracie Allen.

Won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only seven directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Return of the King]]''), Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''), and Creator/AlejandroGonzalezInarritu (''Film/{{Birdman}}'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).

Won UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s for picture, director and screenplay for ''Film/TermsOfEndearment'', and was also nominated for producing ''Film/BroadcastNews'', ''Film/JerryMaguire'', and ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'' and for writing ''Broadcast News'' and ''As Good as It Gets''. He is one of only seven directors to win for writing, directing and producing a film.[[note]]The others are Leo [=McCarey=] (''Going My Way''), Creator/BillyWilder (''Film/TheApartment''), Creator/FrancisFordCoppola (''Film/TheGodfatherPartII''), Creator/PeterJackson (''[[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Return of the King]]'') and Creator/TheCoenBrothers (''Film/NoCountryForOldMen'').[[/note]] Outside of his films, Brooks is also known as one of the executive producers and original creators of the long-running FOX animated sitcom ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' (joining Creator/MattGroening[[note]]who created the characters and did write a few episodes in its early days, mostly the season one episodes and season three's "Colonel Homer"[[/note]] and the late Sam Simon).