Joe Roth
Joseph Emanuel Roth is an American film executive, producer and director. He co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment in 1988 and was chairman of 20th Century Fox, Caravan Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios before founding Revolution Studios in 2000, then Roth/Kirschenbaum Films in 2007.
Early life
Roth was born on June 13, 1948 to Frances and Lawrence Roth. He has stated that his Jewish family faced various forms of harassment growing up in a heavily Catholic part of Long Island, New York. This involved incidents like "a cross being burned on the lawn and some of Roth's schoolmates crossed themselves before they would speak to him." In 1959, Roth's father volunteered his son to be a plaintiff in the ACLU's effort to abolish mandatory prayer in public schools. The case, filed in New York, went through several appeals, finally reaching the U.S. Supreme Court in 1962. The Court ruled that such prayer was unconstitutional under the First Amendment, in the landmark case of Engel v. Vitale.Roth attended Boston University, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in communication.
Career
Over the course of his career, he has produced over 40 films, and has directed six to date, including 1990's Coupe de Ville, 2001's America's Sweethearts and 2006's Freedomland.In 1988 by Roth and James Robinson co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment. The name came from Roth's favorite film, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek. The company had box-office hits including Young Guns and Major League.
In 1989, Roth became chairman of 20th Century Fox, who were very successful under him, including hits Home Alone, Die Hard 2 and White Men Can't Jump. His contract expired in July 1992 but he agreed to stay on as Fox Inc. chairman Barry Diller had quit earlier in the year. He later announced in November 1992 that he was leaving Fox to set up an independent production company at The Walt Disney Studios.
In 1992, he co-founded Caravan Pictures with Roger Birnbaum, which had a production deal with The Walt Disney Studios. Roth moved on to be Disney studio chief on August 24, 1994. Disney CEO Michael Eisner was so set on replacing Jeffrey Katzenberg as Disney studio chief with Roth that he forgave the $15 million cost overrun debt for I Love Trouble and paid Roth $40 million of fees for 21 unproduced films under the deal.
Roth, who was ranked 6th in Premiere Magazines 2003 Hollywood Power List, produced the 76th annual Academy Awards. Roth announced in October 2007 that, when Revolution's distribution deal with Sony Pictures ended, that he would depart from Revolution Studios to form his own production company, Roth Films.
On November 13, 2007, Roth was introduced as the majority owner of a Seattle, Washington–based Major League Soccer franchise along with Paul Allen. Seattle Sounders FC—which calls Lumen Field home—began regular season play in 2009. On November 12, 2015, Roth passed on majority ownership to Adrian Hanauer.
Personal life
Roth was married to Donna Arkoff whose father was movie producer Samuel Z. Arkoff. They have three children.The family resided in the Dolores del Río House, designed by architect Douglas Honnold for Irish production designer Cedric Gibbons and Mexican actress Dolores del Río in 1929 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. In 2021, Roth paid $23 million for a, 1960s Midcentury home designed by Dan Dworsky and renovated by Waldo Fernandez in Beverly Hills.
Filmography
Film
ProducerTunnel Vision Our Winning Season Americathon Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains The Final Terror The Stone Boy Moving Violations Where the River Runs Black Streets of Gold P.K. and the Kid Young Guns The Three Musketeers Angels in the Outfield A Low Down Dirty Shame Houseguest The Jerky Boys: The Movie Heavyweights Tall Tale While You Were Sleeping The Forgotten The Great Debaters Alice in Wonderland Snow White and the Huntsman Oz the Great and Powerful Heaven Is for Real Million Dollar Arm Maleficent In the Heart of the Sea Miracles from Heaven The Huntsman: Winter's War Alice Through the Looking Glass XXX: Return of Xander Cage Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Dolittle The United States vs. Billie Holiday F9 Hustle The Gray Man The School for Good and Evil Anyone but You Damsel A Family Affair Jackpot! Just Picture ItExecutive producerCracking Up Bachelor Party Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Dead Ringers Skin Deep Renegades Enemies, A Love Story Young Guns II The Exorcist III Pacific Heights Angie Before and After Tears of the Sun Daddy Day Care Hollywood Homicide Mona Lisa Smile An Unfinished Life Little Man Knight and Day Sabotage The Exorcist III: Legion The Dreaming Man
Co-producerOff Beat Major League Nightbreed
DirectorStreets of Gold Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Coupe de Ville America's Sweethearts Christmas with the Kranks Freedomland
;Miscellaneous crew
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1974 | The Conversation | Production assistant | Uncredited |
| 1988 | Young Guns | Presenter | |
| 1988 | Dead Ringers | Presenter | |
| 1990 | The Exorcist III | Presenter |
;As an actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1976 | Tunnel Vision | Player-Announcer | |
| 1977 | Cracking Up | Man | Uncredited |
;Production manager
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Armageddon | Executive in charge of production | Uncredited |
;Thanks
| Year | Film | Role |
| 1995 | Dead Presidents | Special thanks |
| 2002 | Punch-Drunk Love | Special thanks |
| 2002 | Gangs of New York | Special thanks |
| 2009 | Bandslam | Thanks |
Television
Producer| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2004 | 76th Academy Awards | Television special |
Executive producer
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2007 | Demons | TV movie |
| 2011 | Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza | |
| 2010–12 | Are We There Yet? | |
| 2012–14 | Anger Management | |
| 2019 | This Is Football | Documentary |
| 2020 | The Plot Against America | |
| 2021 | Panic |
;Thanks
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1990 | American Masters | Special thanks | Documentary |
| 2020 | The Last Dance | Special thanks | Documentary |