Raja Gosnell


Raja Raymond Gosnell is an American film editor and director. He is known for directing comedies and family films. Among his best known works are Never Been Kissed, Big Momma's House, the theatrical Scooby-Doo films, Home Alone 3, Yours, Mine & Ours and Sony Pictures Animation's live-action Smurfs films.

Early life

Gosnell is named after his father's friend Raja Mohideen. He was born in Los Angeles, California on December 9, 1958.

Career

Gosnell's career started in 1980 when he worked with director Robert Altman as an assistant editor on Popeye. His first solo credit as an editor was on the film The Silence. Afterward, Gosnell would serve as editor on a number of films, including Teen Wolf Too, Pretty Woman, and Rookie of the Year.
He is also known for his collaboration with director Chris Columbus, for whom he edited the films Home Alone , Home Alone 2: Lost in New York , and Mrs. Doubtfire .
Gosnell made his directorial debut with Home Alone 3 after learning writer and producer John Hughes was looking for a director for the project. Afterwards, he went on to direct more theatrical films, including Never Been Kissed , Big Momma's House , Scooby-Doo , Beverly Hills Chihuahua and The Smurfs and its sequel, The Smurfs 2. While many of his films have been met with poor reception from critics, they have generally been very successful at the box office. In 2021, Gosnell co-directed his son, Bradley, in Gun and a Hotel Bible alongside Alicia Joy LeBlanc.

Filmography

Director
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Executive producer only
Editor
YearTitleNotes
1978Remember My NameAssistant editor
1979QuintetAssistant editor
1979A Perfect CoupleAssistant film editor
1980HealthAssistant editor
1980PopeyeAssistant editor
1982Making LoveAssistant editor
1983YellowbeardAssistant editor
1984The Lonely Guy
1986Monster in the Closet
1986Weekend Warriors
1986The Return of Billy JackUnfinished
1987Teen Wolf Too
1987Good Morning, VietnamAdditional editor
1988D.O.A.
1988Heartbreak Hotel
1990Pretty Woman
1990Home Alone
1991My Heroes Have Always Been CowboysEditor
1991Only the Lonely
1992Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
1993Rookie of the Year
1993Mrs. Doubtfire
1994Exit to EdenAdditional film editor
1994Miracle on 34th Street
1995Nine Months