In the course of his twenty-plus years in the entertainment industry, Grant Heslov made a successful transition from supporting actor to writer/ director/producer of some of Hollywood’s most challenging and thought-provoking projects. At the core of this career shift was Heslov’s long friendship-turned-partnership with George Clooney, who tapped his former “Facts of Life” co-star to preside over Section Eight, his production company formed with director Steven Soderbergh.Born on May 15, 1963 in Los Angeles, CA, Heslov’s earliest credits included such popular television series as “Happy Days” (ABC, 1974-1984), “Family Ties” (NBC, 1982-1989), and “The Facts of Life” (NBC, 1979-1988). Cast as a nebbish competitor with “Facts” regular Clooney for the hand of Blair (Lisa Welchel), Heslov’s guest spot on the 1986 episode, “The Reunion,” was worth any future embarrassment, as Heslov found a kindred spirit in Clooney and the pair remained fast friends from that point on.
Heslov continued to land supporting roles in film and television for the next decade, logging episodes on many of the popular series of the ‘90s, including two episodes of “L.A. Law” (NBC, 1986-1994), “21 Jump Street” (Fox, 1987-1991), “Baywatch” (syndicated, 1989-2001), “Seinfeld,” (NBC, 1990-98) and “thirtysomething” (ABC, 1987-1991). He also turned up in small but amusing roles in several comedy features, including code specialist Faisil in James Cameron’s “True Lies” (1994), a scandal sheet photographer in “The Birdcage” (1996), as well as big-budget action films like “Dante’s Peak” (1987) and “Enemy of the State” (1998). During this time, Heslov made his directorial debut with a charming short film, “Waiting for Woody” (1998), in which he also starred as a down-on-his-luck actor whose hopes for a continued career are pinned on a meeting with Woody Allen. The film won several festival prizes, including the New York International Independent Film and Video Award.
In 2000, George Clooney’s box office and TV share clout was sizable enough for him to mount a live remake of “Fail Safe” on CBS, with Stephen Frears directing. Not surprisingly, the loyal Clooney cast Heslov in a supporting role. That same year, Clooney and Soderbergh founded a production company, Section Eight Entertainment, and Heslov was tapped as the president of its television division. Despite the new position, Heslov still found time to appear in films and television, including “Yes, Dear” (CBS, 2000- ) and an “X-Files” (Fox, 1993-2002) episode which saw his character devoured alive by rats. His feature work during this period included the independent comedy “Bug” (2002) and “The Scorpion King" (2002).
In 2003, Heslov stepped behind the camera to direct his first feature film, the comedy “Par 6,” which was written by and co-produced with his wife, Candice Levenson. He followed this by serving as co-producer of “Intolerable Cruelty,” Clooney’s failed follow-up with his “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000) directors, the Coen Brothers. He also oversaw two short-lived HBO series, the political backroom peek, “K Street” (2003) and “Unscripted,” a look at the lives of struggling actors in Hollywood. Though both shows were praised for the quality, neither lasted beyond a season.
In 2004, Heslov and Clooney penned the script for “Good Night and Good Luck,” a drama based on the battles waged between legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy on live television during the latter’s height of power in the 1950s. Clooney directed the film and co-starred as producer Fred Friendly; Heslov served as one of the film’s producers (along with Steven Soderbergh) and played future “60 Minutes” producer Don Hewitt. The film received considerable praise from critics and fans alike, and in early 2006, received six Oscar nominations overall – Heslov receiving two of those for screenplay (co-screenwriter) and best picture (co-producer).
