Brian Robbins

Brian Robbins
Brian Levine (born November 22, 1963), better known as Brian Robbins, is an American media proprietor and film producer. He has been the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon since 2021, and is also the CCO of the Kids & Family division of Paramount+. In 2012, he co-founded the media network Awesomeness TV.
Prior, Robbins was a recurring cast member for the television series Head of the Class (1986–1991), and joined Nickelodeon in 1994 as the creator/lead writer of the sketch comedy series All That the same year. He made his directorial debut in 1995 with the hip hop documentary The Show, and directed the hit teen comedy film Good Burger two years later. Despite moderate commercial success, the critical reception for his productions has been largely negative.
Early life
Robbins was born Brian Levine in New York City's Brooklyn borough on November 22, 1963, the son of actor Floyd Levine. When he was 16, he moved with his family to Los Angeles. He graduated from Grant High School in 1982.
Career
Following his father into acting, Robbins made his television debut on an episode of Trapper John, M.D. He guest starred on a number of television series and had a recurring role on General Hospital. As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his role as Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. He also hosted the children's version of the TV game show Pictionary in 1989.
In the 1990s, Robbins started producing the show All That and its spin-offs on Nickelodeon. He has produced several sports films including Coach Carter and Hardball (2001). He produced Smallville and also One Tree Hill. He has often collaborated with producer Michael Tollin.
Robbins is the founder of AwesomenessTV, a YouTube channel aimed at teenagers, which has spun off into a TV series, of which Robbins is the executive producer. DreamWorks Animation acquired the company in 2013. On February 22, 2017, following NBCUniversal/Comcast's acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Robbins stepped down as AwesomenessTV's CEO, thus ending his five-year run with the company.
On June 7, 2017, Robbins became the president of Paramount Players, a newly formed division of Paramount Pictures. He worked with Viacom's brands Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET to generate projects while also focusing on "contemporary properties". On October 1, 2018, he left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom chose him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio. Despite leaving the studio, he remained involved with Paramount Players division Nickelodeon Movies. He became head of Paramount Pictures in September 2021.
Personal life
Robbins is Jewish. He married publicist Laura Cathcart and they had two sons together, Miles and Justin, before divorcing in 2013. He married stylist Tracy James in 2014. They have a daughter named Stella and live with his sons in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Filmography
Film
Producer only
Summer Catch (2001)
Big Fat Liar (2002) (Also story writer)
Radio (2003)
Coach Carter (2005)
Wild Hogs (2007)
The To Do List (2013)
Before I Fall (2017)
Bigger Fatter Liar (2017) (executive producer)
Television
Executive producer only
The Amanda Show (2000–2001)
Smallville (2001–2011)
The Nick Cannon Show (2002)
What I Like About You (2002–2006)
One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
Crumbs (2006)
Sonny with a Chance (2009–2011)
Fred: The Movie (2010)
So Random! (2011–2012)
AwesomenessTV (2013–2015)
Special thanks
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (2019)
The Loud House (2019–present)
SpongeBob SquarePants (2019–present)
Middle School Moguls (2019)
Blaze and the Monster Machines (2019–present)
Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019)
The Casagrandes (2019–2022)
Blue's Clues & You! (2019–present)
It's Pony (2020–present)
Glitch Techs (2020)
Santiago of the Seas (2020–present)
Baby Shark's Big Show! (2020–present)
Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (2021–present)
Rugrats (2021–present)
The Patrick Star Show (2021–present)
Middlemost Post (2021–present)
Acting credits
Awards and nominations
References
External links
1963 births
Living people
American game show hosts
American male television actors
American television directors
Directors Guild of America Award winners
Film producers from New York (state)
Grant High School (Los Angeles) alumni
Jewish American film directors
Jewish American film producers
Jewish American male actors
Male actors from New York City
Nickelodeon executives
Paramount Global people
Paramount Pictures executives
Film directors from Brooklyn
Presidents of Paramount Pictures
Television producers from New York City
21st-century American Jews