History of Judd Apatow in Timeline
Judd Apatow is an influential American director, producer, screenwriter, and comedian. He gained prominence through his comedy films and founded Apatow Productions. He is known for writing, producing, and directing successful movies such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People, This Is 40, Trainwreck, The King of Staten Island and The Bubble. Apatow's work has significantly impacted the comedy genre in film.
8 hours ago : Judd Apatow's daughter's expletive notes, Henson's advice, and Apatow's Ayahuasca experience revealed.
Judd Apatow shared expletive-filled notes from his daughter Maude. Jim Henson persuaded Apatow to quit stand-up. Apatow claimed he saw Jesus on Ayahuasca, revealing insights into his life and career.
December 6, 1967: Judd Apatow's Birth
On December 6, 1967, Judd Apatow was born. He is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and comedian.
September 1985: Associate Editor at Laugh Factory Magazine
In September 1985, Judd Apatow is listed as an associate editor in the Laugh Factory Magazine.
1989: Competed in Johnnie Walker Comedy Search
In 1989, Judd Apatow competed in the Johnnie Walker Comedy Search, directed by Neal Marshad.
1990: Meeting Ben Stiller
In 1990, Judd Apatow met Ben Stiller outside of an Elvis Costello concert, and they became friends.
1991: Writer for the Grammy Awards
In 1991, Judd Apatow was hired as a writer for the Grammy Awards, which was hosted by Garry Shandling.
1992: Appeared on HBO's 15th Annual Young Comedians Special
In 1992, Judd Apatow appeared on HBO's 15th Annual Young Comedians Special and co-created The Ben Stiller Show.
1993: Cancellation of The Ben Stiller Show
In 1993, Fox canceled "The Ben Stiller Show" despite critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for the writing staff, including Judd Apatow.
1993: Joined The Larry Sanders Show
In 1993, Judd Apatow joined HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" as a writer and consulting producer.
1995: Co-wrote Heavyweights
In 1995, Judd Apatow co-wrote the feature film "Heavyweights" with Steve Brill.
1996: Apatow meets Leslie Mann
In 1996, Judd Apatow met actress Leslie Mann on the set of "The Cable Guy", where he was a producer. They later married.
1996: The Cable Guy Release
In 1996, Judd Apatow produced the film "The Cable Guy".
1996: Release of The Cable Guy and Meeting Leslie Mann
In 1996, the movie "The Cable Guy", which Judd Apatow produced and did an uncredited re-write, was released. During the film's pre-production, Apatow met his future wife, actress Leslie Mann.
June 9, 1997: Apatow marries Leslie Mann
Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann were married on June 9, 1997, in Los Angeles.
1998: Co-Executive Producer and Director for The Larry Sanders Show
In 1998, Judd Apatow served as a co-executive producer and director of an episode during the final season of "The Larry Sanders Show".
1999: Creation of Sick in the Head and Debut of Freaks and Geeks
In 1999, Judd Apatow created the unaired pilot Sick in the Head. He also served as an executive producer for the award-winning series Freaks and Geeks, which debuted in 1999.
1999: Freaks and Geeks Premiere
In 1999, Judd Apatow produced and developed the television series "Freaks and Geeks".
2000: Apatow Convinces Rogen to Write Superbad
In 2000, Judd Apatow convinced Seth Rogen to write the film Superbad as a vehicle for himself. The initial concept was created when Rogen and Goldberg were teens.
2000: Freaks and Geeks Finale
In 2000, the television series "Freaks and Geeks", produced and developed by Judd Apatow, concluded.
2001: Creation of North Hollywood Pilot
In 2001, Judd Apatow created North Hollywood, a pilot which was not picked up by ABC.
2001: Undeclared Premiere
In 2001, Judd Apatow produced and developed the television series "Undeclared".
2002: Co-wrote Life on Parole Pilot
In 2002, Judd Apatow co-wrote a pilot titled Life on Parole, which was not picked up.
2002: Undeclared Finale
In 2002, the television series "Undeclared", produced and developed by Judd Apatow, concluded.
2004: Anchorman Release
In 2004, Judd Apatow produced the feature film comedy "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy", starring Will Ferrell and directed by Adam McKay.
2004: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Release
In 2004, Judd Apatow produced the film "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy".
2005: The 40-Year-Old Virgin Release and Success
In 2005, Judd Apatow made his feature directorial debut with "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", which he co-wrote and directed. The film was a box office success and received numerous awards.
2006: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Release
In 2006, Judd Apatow produced the film "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby".
June 2007: Release of Knocked Up
In June 2007, Judd Apatow's second film, the romantic comedy "Knocked Up", was released to critical and commercial success.
August 2007: Production of Superbad
In August 2007, Judd Apatow produced the film "Superbad", written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
August 2007: Superbad Box Office Success
In August 2007, Superbad opened at No. 1 in the box office to critical acclaim, taking in $33 million in its opening weekend.
December 2007: Walk Hard Release
In December 2007, "Walk Hard", a biopic spoof co-written and produced by Judd Apatow, was released. While it received positive reviews, it did poorly commercially.
2007: Katherine Heigl criticizes Knocked Up
In 2007, Actress Katherine Heigl said that though she enjoyed working with Judd Apatow on "Knocked Up", she found the film "a little sexist". Apatow responded to her criticism.
2007: Superbad Release
In 2007, Judd Apatow produced the film "Superbad".
2007: Grammy Nomination
In 2007, Judd Apatow received a Grammy nomination for co-writing the song "Walk Hard", which was nominated for Best Song Written for Motion Picture.
2007: Mike White criticizes Apatow's films
In 2007, New York magazine noted that former Apatow associate Mike White was "disenchanted" by Apatow's later films, "objecting to the treatment of women and gay men in Apatow's recent movies".
2008: Drillbit Taylor Release
In 2008, Drillbit Taylor, a film produced by Judd Apatow, was released in March and earned negative reviews.
2008: Pineapple Express and Forgetting Sarah Marshall Release
In 2008, Judd Apatow produced the films "Pineapple Express" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall".
2008: Death of Mother Tamara Shad
In 2008, Judd Apatow's mother, Tamara Shad, passed away.
2008: Apatow becomes an Academy member
Judd Apatow became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2008 after his first application was rejected.
2008: Production of Several Comedy Films
Throughout 2008, Judd Apatow produced several comedy films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Step Brothers, and Pineapple Express. He also co-wrote You Don't Mess with the Zohan.
2009: Release of Year One and Funny People
In 2009, Judd Apatow served as producer for the film Year One, which was not well-received. He also released his third directorial feature, Funny People, on July 31, 2009.
2009: Funny People Release
In 2009, Judd Apatow wrote, produced, and directed the film "Funny People".
2009: Universal Pictures Deal
In 2009, Variety reported that Universal had signed Judd Apatow to a 3 picture directing deal.
2010: Producing "Get Him to the Greek"
In 2010, Judd Apatow produced "Get Him to the Greek", a spin-off of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", featuring Russell Brand and Jonah Hill. The Universal-released film grossed $92 million.
2010: Funny or Die Presents Premiere
In 2010, Judd Apatow produced and developed the television series "Funny or Die Presents".
2010: Producing Pee-wee Herman film
In 2010, it was first reported that Apatow would produce a new Pee-wee Herman film starring Paul Reubens. The film, Pee-wee's Big Holiday, was released by Netflix in March 2016.
2010: Pitch for Begin Again
In 2010, writer-director John Carney pitched the film "Begin Again" to Judd Apatow, who produced the film. It stars Keira Knightley as a singer-songwriter who collaborates with a record label executive to produce an album recorded in New York City.
2011: Producing Bridesmaids
In 2011, Judd Apatow produced "Bridesmaids", which grossed $288.4 million worldwide and received multiple award nominations, including Oscar, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. It also won a Critics' Choice Movie Award and a People's Choice Award.
2011: Funny or Die Presents Finale
In 2011, the television series "Funny or Die Presents", produced and developed by Judd Apatow, concluded.
2011: Lena Dunham's Interview
In a 2011 interview with Elle, Lena Dunham, who frequently collaborates with Apatow, discussed his work, stating that "Knocked Up is really about love," and highlighting his focus on characters' personal growth.
February 2012: Kristen Wiig's Speech
In February 2012, Kristen Wiig gave a speech when presenting Apatow with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence, praising him as an "incredible collaborator and supporter".
December 21, 2012: Release of This Is 40
On December 21, 2012, Judd Apatow's fourth directorial effort, the "Knocked Up" spin-off "This Is 40", was released by Universal Pictures, starring Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. The film, featuring original music by Graham Parker and The Rumour, received mostly positive reviews.
2012: Producing Girls
In 2011, after seeing Lena Dunham's film "Tiny Furniture", Judd Apatow produced "Girls", which aired from 2012 to 2017.
2012: Apatow discusses his focus on immaturity
In 2012, Alyssa Rosenberg of ThinkProgress quoted Judd Apatow as saying, "I got bored of penises... I just like immaturity, I like to show people struggle and try to figure out who they are".
2012: Writing a Simpsons Episode
In 2012, Entertainment Weekly reported that 22 years after writing an episode of "The Simpsons", Judd Apatow's script ("Bart's New Friend") was being developed into an episode.
2012: Producing Wanderlust and The Five-Year Engagement
In 2012, Judd Apatow produced "Wanderlust", starring Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, and "The Five-Year Engagement", featuring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt.
2012: Girls Premiere
In 2012, Judd Apatow produced and developed the television series "Girls".
2012: Hollywood Comedy Award and Herb Sargent Award
In 2012, Judd Apatow was honored with the Hollywood Comedy Award at the 16th annual Hollywood Film Awards, presented by the Hollywood Film Festival. Also in 2012, he received the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence from the Writers Guild East.
January 2013: Apatow and Dunham discuss "Girls"
In January 2013, Judd Apatow and Lena Dunham discussed the creative process of working on "Girls" in an interview with Fast Company, comparing the show's auteur vision to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" rather than collaborative shows like "Friends".
December 18, 2013: Release of Anchorman 2
On December 18, 2013, Judd Apatow co-produced "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues", focusing on Ron Burgundy's struggle in the rise of new media.
2013: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Release
In 2013, Judd Apatow co-produced the sequel, "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues".
2013: Begin Again Release
In 2013, Judd Apatow produced the film "Begin Again".
2013: Primetime Emmy Nomination for Girls
In 2013, Judd Apatow's work on "Girls" received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmys.
2015: Apatow's Simpsons script airs
In 2012, it was reported that 22 years after writing an episode of The Simpsons, Judd Apatow's script would air in 2015.
2015: Trainwreck's Golden Globe Nominations
In 2015, Apatow's film "Trainwreck" received two Golden Globe nominations, including one for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It was the first film directed by Apatow to be nominated for this award. The film also received 3 Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations in 2015, including Best Comedy.
2015: Honored by the Rape Treatment Foundation
In 2015, Judd Apatow was honored by the Rape Treatment Foundation for his advocacy and support of women in Hollywood and victims of sexual assault.
2015: Trainwreck Release
In 2015, Judd Apatow wrote, produced, and directed the film "Trainwreck".
2015: Release of Trainwreck
In 2015, Judd Apatow's fifth directorial feature, "Trainwreck", was released. The romantic comedy, written by and starring Amy Schumer, grossed $140.8 million worldwide.
March 2016: Release of Pee-wee's Big Holiday
In March 2016, Judd Apatow's produced film, Pee-wee's Big Holiday, starring Paul Reubens, was released by Netflix.
July 2016: Release of Doc and Darryl
In July 2016, Judd Apatow's first documentary piece, "Doc and Darryl", aired as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. The documentary focuses on the career and relationship of New York Mets players Dwight "Doc" Gooden and Darryl Strawberry.
2016: Love Premiere
In 2016, Judd Apatow produced and developed the television series "Love".
2016: Generation Award at Just for Laughs
In 2016, Judd Apatow was presented with the Generation Award at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, in recognition of his contributions to comedy.
November 2017: Return to Stand-up Comedy
In November 2017, Judd Apatow returned to stand-up after a long hiatus, headlining a show in New York City's Carnegie Hall called "Judd Apatow and Friends" to benefit Everytown for Gun Safety.
December 2017: Release of Judd Apatow: The Return
In December 2017, Judd Apatow's first stand-up special, "Judd Apatow: The Return", was released through Netflix. The special was recorded during the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, Canada. Apatow also had a cameo in "The Disaster Artist" in 2017.
2017: End of Girls series
In 2011, Judd Apatow produced "Girls", which aired from 2012 to 2017, generating controversy for its depictions of various mature themes.
2017: Production of The Big Sick
In 2017, Judd Apatow produced the romantic comedy "The Big Sick", starring Kumail Nanjiani as himself. The movie is based on Nanjiani's real-life relationship.
2017: Awarded ACLU Bill of Rights Award
In 2017, Judd Apatow was awarded the ACLU Bill of Rights Award for his advocacy on behalf of women in the arts.
2017: Girls Finale and The Big Sick Release
In 2017, the television series "Girls", produced and developed by Judd Apatow, concluded. In the same year, he also produced the film "The Big Sick".
January 2018: Release of May It Last: A Portrait Of The Avett Brothers
In January 2018, "May It Last: A Portrait Of The Avett Brothers", co-directed by Judd Apatow, aired on HBO. The documentary, which chronicles the making of the Avett Brothers' album "True Sadness", later won the SXSW Audience Award.
September 2018: Emmy Award for The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
In September 2018, Judd Apatow won the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special award at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his work on "The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling".
2018: The Big Sick Receives Award Nominations
In 2018, "The Big Sick", which Judd Apatow produced, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It also won Best Comedy at the Critics' Choice Awards and received AFI Movies of the Year Award.
2018: Love Finale
In 2018, the television series "Love", produced and developed by Judd Apatow, concluded.
2019: Crashing Finale
In 2019, the television series "Crashing", produced and developed by Judd Apatow, concluded.
June 2020: Release of The King of Staten Island
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Judd Apatow's seventh directorial film, "The King of Staten Island", co-written with and starring Pete Davidson, was released to video on demand on June 12, 2020.
2020: The King of Staten Island Release
In 2020, Judd Apatow wrote, produced, and directed the film "The King of Staten Island".
2022: Producing Bros
In 2022, Judd Apatow co-produced "Bros", the first major studio rom-com with an all LGBTQ cast, starring Billy Eichner.
2022: The Bubble Release
In 2022, Judd Apatow wrote, produced, and directed the film "The Bubble".
2023: Release of Bob & Don: A Love Story
In 2023, Judd Apatow memorialized the friendship of comics Bob Newhart and Don Rickles in Bob & Don: A Love Story—a short documentary film.
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