Joel Silver

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BIRTHDAY

July 14, 1952

South Orange NJ

RECENT CREDITS

Book of Eli (FILM) Jan. 15, 2010

Sherlock Holmes (FILM) Dec. 25, 2009

Ninja Assassin (FILM) Nov. 25, 2009

Whiteout (FILM) Sep. 11, 2009

Orphan (FILM) Jul. 24, 2009

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BIOGRAPHY

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A movie buff practically since infancy, American producer Joel Silver attended the film school at New York University. After graduation Silver quickly worked his way up to an assistant producer post under Universal's Lawrence Gordon; after considerable success with a series of popular pictures, including a handful of Burt Reynolds vehicles, Silver was appointed president of Lawrence Gordon Productions. As head of his own Silver Pictures in 1980, Silver began inauspiciously with the mishmosh Olivia Newton-John vehicle Xanadu before finding his niche with the stylized violent action of 1984's Streets of Fire. Intense and demanding, Silver drove his staff, cast and crews mercilessly, but such prize properties as the Lethal Weapon and Die Hard series made the effort worthwhile. Silver was able to maintain his industry standing on the basis of these successes, permitting him to ride out his many failures, including Jumpin' Jack Flash (1985), Ford Fairlane (1990), and the potentially career-busting Hudson Hawk (1991). Silver more or less played himself (loud clothes and all) in the on-camera role of an explosive cartoon director in 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988).

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Headlines

Director Guy Ritchie on the set ofa Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Sherlock Holmes'

Ritchie Putting Down 'Lobo' In Favor of 'Holmes' Sequel

Jan. 27, 2010

'Sherlock Holmes' director Guy Ritchie has set aside the planned 'Lobo' in order to clear his schedule for a fast-tracked 'Holmes' sequel, according to producer Joel Silver.

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Solving Sherlock

Posted: Dec. 22, 2009

Should Steven Spielberg Produce the Oscars?

Posted: Sep. 24, 2009

'Holmes' Sequel Already in the Works?

Posted: Sep. 22, 2009

Road to 'Watchmen': From Book to Big Screen

Posted: Mar. 4, 2009

Beyonce as Wonder Woman?

Posted: Nov. 10, 2008

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