Paul Schiff is an American film producer.
Early life and education Schiff was raised in Bethesda, Maryland, one of three sons of Charlotte, a television and publishing executive, and Edward Schiff, a real estate lawyer. His brothers are actor Richard Schiff and talent manager David Schiff. He graduated in film studies from Wesleyan University, where his roommate was actor Bradley Whitford.
Career Schiff began his career as a documentary cameraman in his hometown of New York City before moving into directing for MTV, where he was on staff for four years during the early days of the fledgling cable channel. His success at the network led to an introduction to film executive Joe Roth, who would go on to become his mentor. Roth hired Schiff as associate producer on the boxing drama, Streets of Gold (1986), which was Roth's directorial debut, as well as his follow up Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987). Schiff then became a vice president of production under Roth at Morgan Creek Productions, where he developed and supervised numerous projects, and co-produced the westerns Young Guns (1988) and its sequel, Young Guns II (1990). He also produced Roth's 1990 drama, Coupe de Ville.
After three years, Schiff secured an independent production deal at 20th Century Fox, where Roth was now chairman. Schiff spent seven years at the studio in a production deal, where he produced films including My Cousin Vinny, starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei, The Vanishing, the American adaptation of George Sluizer's Dutch thriller; the Animal House-inspired campus comedy PCU; and the sci-fi thriller Ghost in the Machine.
After his stint at Fox, Schiff reteamed with Roth at Disney in a production deal, where he produced Wes Anderson's critically acclaimed film, Rushmore. The film won two Film Independent Spirit Awards—Best Director and Best Supporting Actor for Murray. Schiff continued his long-standing affiliation with Roth at the executive's new production firm, Revolution Studios, where he produced Maid in Manhattan, the hit romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes, and Mike Newell’s drama Mona Lisa Smile, starring Julia Roberts, Julia Styles and Kirsten Dunst. Between that, he worked briefly for Propaganda Films' film division between 2000 and 2001, before it was shut down.
Schiff's producing credits also include The Air I Breathe, Numb, Green Street Hooligans, the 2004 remake of the 1970s classic actioner, Walking Tall, Solitary Man, The Truth About Emmanuel, the ensemble comedy Spin, and the Alaskan-set thriller, Into the Grizzly Maze.
In 2015, Schiff completed My All American, an inspirational sports drama starring Aaron Eckhart and Robin Tunney.
Personal life Schiff's brother is actor Richard Schiff. Schiff and his family are Jewish.״Infidel actor Richard discovered drama in his family's history". The Jewish Telegraph. www.jewishtelegraph.com Published 2010. Accessed February 12, 2016.
Filmography He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
Film Year Film Credit 1986 Streets of Gold Associate producer 1987 Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Associate producer 1988 Young Guns Co-producer 1989 Renegades Co-producer 1990 Coupe de Ville Young Guns II 1992 My Cousin Vinny 1993 The Vanishing Ghost in the Machine 1994 PCU 1995 Bushwhacked 1998 Rushmore 2000 Whatever It Takes 2001 Black Knight 2002 Maid in Manhattan 2003 Mona Lisa Smile 2004 Walking Tall 2005 Green Street Executive producer 2006 Date Movie 2007 Epic Movie Spin The Air I Breathe Numb Executive producer 2009 Tenure Solitary Man 2013 The Truth About Emanuel Executive producer 2015 Into the Grizzly Maze Momentum Executive producer My All American 2016 Girl Flu. Executive producer 2018 Proud Mary Beast of Burden How It Ends 2019 Extracurricular Activities Executive producer Fractured 2021 Awake 2024 The Inheritance Masterwork Youth
Second unit director or assistant director
Year Film Role 1982 The House on Sorority Row Assistant director 2002 Maid in Manhattan Second unit director 2003 Mona Lisa Smile
As an actor
Year Film Role 1998 Rushmore Waiter
Soundtrack
Year Film Role 1987 Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Producer: "No on Fifteen"
Television Year Title Credit Notes 1984 1st Annual MTV Video Music Awards Feature producer Television special 2010 Revenge of the Bridesmaids Executive producer Television film 2022 Super Pumped Executive producer
References
External links