Steven Zaillian
Biography
Steven Zaillian, born January 30, 1953 in Fresno, California, is an Armenian‑American screenwriter, film director, film editor and producer. He founded the production company Film Rites and is known primarily for his writing, with thirty‑five credited works. Zaillian won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Schindler’s List and received Academy Award nominations for his scripts on Awakenings and Gangs of New York. The Times described him as “the most artful and subtle screenwriter Hollywood has had since Robert Towne.” He is the son of radio news reporter Jim Zaillian, attended Sonoma State University, graduated from San Francisco State University and resides in Los Angeles. He is also credited as Steven Ernest Bernard Zaillian.
Career overview
Steven Zaillian was born on January 30, 1953, in Fresno, California. He is the son of Jim Zaillian, a radio news reporter, and grew up in an Armenian‑American family. After attending Sonoma State University he completed his studies at San Francisco State University. He now resides in Los Angeles and is the founder of Film Rites, a film production company.
Zaillian is primarily known for his work as a screenwriter, with thirty‑five writing credits listed in major databases. He earned the Academy
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
48 titles- RIPLEY (2024) Writer
- RIPLEY (2024) Executive Producer
- RIPLEY (2024) Director
- RIPLEY (2024) Creator
- Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) Producer
- The Irishman (2019) Screenplay
- Red Sparrow (2018) Producer
- The Current War (2018) Executive Producer
- My Dinner with Hervé (2018) Executive Producer
- An Oral History of: Schindler's List (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- The Night Of (2016) Executive Producer
- The Night Of (2016) Teleplay
- The Night Of (2016) Director
- The Night Of (2016) Creator
- Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) Screenplay
- Life Itself (2014) Executive Producer
- The Cold Light of Day (2012) Executive Producer
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Characters - Salander, Blomkvist and Vanger (2012) as Self
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Men Who Hate Women (2012) as Self
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) Executive Producer
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) Screenplay
- Moneyball (2011) Screenplay
- Welcome to the Rileys (2010) Executive Producer
- The Cove (2009) Thanks
- Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008) Thanks
- American Gangster (2007) Screenplay
- American Gangster (2007) Executive Producer
- All the King's Men (2006) Director
- All the King's Men (2006) Writer
- All the King's Men (2006) Producer
- The Interpreter (2005) Screenplay
- Gangs of New York (2002) Screenplay
- Hannibal (2001) Screenplay
- A Civil Action (1998) Screenplay
- A Civil Action (1998) Director
- A Civil Action (1998) Producer
- Mission: Impossible (1996) Story
- Clear and Present Danger (1994) Screenplay
- Schindler's List (1993) Screenplay
- Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) Director
- Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) Screenplay
- Jack the Bear (1993) Screenplay
- Awakenings (1990) Screenplay
- The Falcon and the Snowman (1985) Screenplay
- Below the Belt (1980) Editor
- Starhops (1978) Editor
- Breaker! Breaker! (1977) Editor
- Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) Editor
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Steven Zaillian best known for?
Steven Zaillian is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including RIPLEY (2024), RIPLEY (2024), RIPLEY (2024), RIPLEY (2024).
When and where was Steven Zaillian born?
Steven Zaillian was born on January 30, 1953 in Fresno, California, USA.
How many credits does Steven Zaillian have?
Steven Zaillian has accumulated over 48 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1977 to 2024.
What is Steven Zaillian's background in cinema and television?
Steven Zaillian, born January 30, 1953 in Fresno, California, is an Armenian‑American screenwriter, film director, film editor and producer. He founded the production company Film Rites and is known primarily for his writing, with thirty‑five credited works. Zaillian won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay fo...