Howard Deutch


Howard Roy Deutch is an American film and television director who worked with filmmaker John Hughes, directing two of Hughes's best-known screenplays, Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful. Since 2011, he has primarily directed television productions, including multiple episodes of Getting On and True Blood.

Early life and career

Deutch was born in New York City. His parents were Pamela and Murray Deutch, a music executive and publisher. His uncle is actor Robert Walden. Deutch was raised in a Jewish family. He graduated from George W. Hewlett High School and attended Ohio State University. He began his career in the advertising department of United Artists Records, where his father was company president. Deutch directed music videos for performers such as Billy Idol and Billy Joel. Deutch's feature-length directorial debut was the John Hughes-penned Brat Pack film Pretty in Pink. His next two directorial efforts were also written by Hughes: Some Kind of Wonderful and The Great Outdoors.
Deutch has directed three sequel films: Grumpier Old Men, The Odd Couple II, and The Whole Ten Yards. During a hiatus from features, he directed episodic television, including two installments of Tales from the Crypt and the pilot episode of Melrose Place.
Deutch directed his wife in four episodes of Caroline in the City, and his daughter Zoey in one episode of Ringer.
In 2022, Deutch directed the Lifetime TV film Buried in Barstow.

Personal life

Deutch met his wife, actress Lea Thompson, during the filming of Some Kind of Wonderful; she was also featured in Article 99, his first feature venture without Hughes. They have two daughters, Madelyn Deutch and Zoey Deutch, both of whom are actresses.
Deutch teaches the Saturday advanced acting and directing class at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

Awards

  • Nominated for DGA Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television in 2003 for Gleason
  • Earned a CableACE Award for his direction of an episode of the HBO series Tales From the Crypt entitled Dead Right.

Filmography

Film
TV series
TV movies
  • 2002: Gleason
  • 2022: ''Buried in Barstow''