Steve Miner


Stephen C. Miner is an American director of film and television, film producer, and a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is notable for his work in the horror genre, including Friday the 13th Part 2, Friday the 13th Part III, House, Warlock, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Lake Placid, and Day of the Dead. He has also directed numerous comedy and drama films, as well as episodes of notable television series including The Wonder Years, Dawson's Creek, and ''Smallville.''

Life and career

Miner was born in Chicago, Illinois.
He began work in the film industry as a recurring collaborator of producer-director Sean S. Cunningham, filling in for various behind the scenes roles on films such as The Last House on the Left and Friday the 13th. His directorial debut was the latter film's first sequel, and he directed the third entry less than a year later. In 1983, Miner acquired the rights from Toho to develop an American Godzilla film titled Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 3D, with Miner attached as the director. Miner hired Fred Dekker to write the script and William Stout for storyboards and concept art. Miner generated some interest in Hollywood but was unable to secure financing and let the rights revert to Toho.
Miner went on to direct other horror films such as Warlock, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, and Lake Placid. Miner first crossed over into the comedy genre with his 1985 cult horror-comedy House, and has since gone on to direct other films in the genre including Soul Man and Big Bully.
Miner is the only director to have crossed over and directed more than one of the horror "Big 3".
Miner has since become a notable television director on shows like Smallville, Psych, Felicity, Dawson's Creek, and Diagnosis: Murder. His work on The Wonder Years earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series and a DGA Award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series.

Filmography

Film

Director
  • Friday the 13th Part 2
  • Friday the 13th Part III
  • House
  • Soul Man
  • Warlock
  • Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
  • Forever Young
  • My Father the Hero
  • Big Bully
  • Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
  • Lake Placid
  • Texas Rangers
  • Day of the Dead
  • Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous
Other credits
YearTitleRole
1972The Last House on the LeftProduction assistant and assistant editor
1973Case of the Full Moon MurdersEditor and second unit director
1975Video VixensAssistant editor
1978Here Come the TigersProducer, second unit director, and editor
1978Manny's OrphansStory writer, editor, and producer
1980Friday the 13thAssociate producer, assistant director, and unit production manager
1982A Stranger Is WatchingAssociate producer
1986Night of the CreepsSecond unit director

Television

TV movies
  • Maverick Square
  • Texas Graces
  • The Third Degree
  • Home of the Brave
  • Scarlett
TV series
YearTitleDirectorProducerNotes
1988The Wonder Years9 episodes
1989CBS Summer PlayhouseEpisode "B-Men"
1990Elvis6 episodes
1992Laurie HillEpisode "Pilot"
1993Against the GrainEpisode "Pilot"
1994Chicago HopeEpisode "Shut Down"
1995Raising Cane's
1996Diagnosis: MurderEpisode "An Explosive Murder"
1997RelativityEpisode "The Day the Earth Moved"
1997The PracticeEpisodes "Hide and Seek" and "Dog Bite"
1998Dawson's Creek4 episodes
1999WastelandEpisode "Pilot"
2000FelicityEpisode "The Christening"
2001Kate BrasherEpisode "Georgia"
2002SmallvilleEpisode "Duplicity"
2003Miss MatchEpisodes "Miss Communication" and "Who's Your Daddy?"
2003Karen SiscoEpisode "Nostalgia"
2004Jake 2.0Episode "Upgrade"
2004SummerlandEpisode "Skipping School"
2004North ShoreEpisode "Alexandria"
2005WildfireEpisode "Pilot" and "Trust"
2008The Ex ListEpisode "Art Professor"
2008PsychEpisode "Talk Derby to Me"
2009-2012Make It or Break It4 episodes
2009EurekaEpisode "Insane in the P-Brane"
2010The GatesEpisode "Identity Crisis"
2011-2017Switched at Birth19 episodes
2014-2015Chasing Life9 episodes
2015-2016Stitchers4 episodes