J. Michael Riva
- Known For
- Art
- Born
- June 28, 1948 in Manhattan, New York, USA
- Died
- June 7, 2012
- Active Years
- 1976–2012 (37 Years)
- Total Credits
- 47 credits in database
Biography
J. Michael Riva, also known as John Michael Riva, was an American production designer and art director born in Manhattan on June 28, 1948. He was the son of Broadway set designer William Riva and German-born actress Maria Elisabeth Sieber, and the grandson of actress Marlene Dietrich. He had three brothers named John Peter, John Paul, and John David. Riva attended the Institute Le Rosey prep school in Switzerland and later went to UCLA. He was married to Wendy Mickell and had four sons named Jean-Paul, Mikey, Daniel, and Adam. Throughout his career, Riva worked on numerous films as an art director and production designer, including The Colour Purple in 1985, Iron Man in 2008, and Django Unchained in 2012. He passed away on June 7, 2012.
Career overview
John Michael Riva, better known as J. Michael Riva, was an American production designer and art director born in Manhattan, New York City, on June 28, 1948. He came from an artistic family as the son of Broadway set designer William Riva and German-born actress Maria Elisabeth Sieber, as well as the grandson of actress Marlene Dietrich. His family also included three brothers named John Peter, John Paul, and John David. Riva attended the prep school Institute Le Rosey in Switzerland for six years before pursuing his education at UCLA. He was married to Wendy Mickell, with whom he had four sons named Jean-Paul, Mikey, Daniel, and Adam.
Riva established a notable career working as an art director and production designer on numerous film projects throughout his life. Among his recognized credits are the 1985 film The Colour Purple, the 2008 film Iron Man, and the 2008 through 2012 timeline concluding with Django Unchained in 2012. His work on The Colour Purple earned him an Academy Award nomination for best art direction. Riva passed away on June 7, 2012, at the age of 63.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
47 titles- Django Unchained (2012) Production Design
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) Production Design
- Iron Man 2 (2010) Production Design
- Iron Man (2008) Production Design
- Seven Pounds (2008) Production Design
- Spider-Man 3 (2007) Production Design
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Production Design
- Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005) Production Design
- Stealth (2005) Production Design
- Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) Production Design
- The Making of 'The Color Purple' (2003) as Self
- Evolution (2001) Production Design
- Charlie’s Angels: Getting G’d Up (2001) as Self
- Charlie’s Angels: Welcome to Angel World (2001) as Self
- Charlie's Angels (2000) Production Design
- Tuesdays with Morrie (1999) Production Design
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) Production Design
- Six Days Seven Nights (1998) Production Design
- Hard Rain (1998) Production Design
- Congo (1995) Production Design
- North (1994) Production Design
- Dave (1993) Production Design
- A Few Good Men (1992) Production Design
- Radio Flyer (1992) Production Design
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) Director
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Production Design
- Tango & Cash (1989) Production Design
- Scrooged (1988) Production Designer
- Scrooged (1988) Production Design
- Lethal Weapon (1987) Production Design
- The Golden Child (1986) Production Design
- Amazing Stories (1985) Director
- The Goonies (1985) Production Design
- The Color Purple (1985) Production Design
- The Slugger's Wife (1985) Production Design
- The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) Production Design
- Bad Boys (1983) Production Design
- Halloween II (1981) Production Design
- The Hand (1981) Production Design
- Callie & Son (1981) Production Design
- Ordinary People (1980) Art Direction
- Brubaker (1980) Art Direction
- Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider (1979) Art Direction
- I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) Production Design
- Bare Knuckles (1977) Production Design
- Bad Georgia Road (1977) Art Direction
- Ilsa: Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976) Production Design
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is J. Michael Riva best known for?
J. Michael Riva is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Django Unchained (2012), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Iron Man 2 (2010), Iron Man (2008).
When and where was J. Michael Riva born?
J. Michael Riva was born on June 28, 1948 in Manhattan, New York, USA. They passed away on June 7, 2012.
How many credits does J. Michael Riva have?
J. Michael Riva has accumulated over 47 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1976 to 2012.
What is J. Michael Riva's background in cinema and television?
J. Michael Riva, also known as John Michael Riva, was an American production designer and art director born in Manhattan on June 28, 1948. He was the son of Broadway set designer William Riva and German-born actress Maria Elisabeth Sieber, and the grandson of actress Marlene Dietrich. He had three brothers named John P...
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