John McNamara (born April 2, 1962) is an American writer, producer, showrunner and television creator. He attended
East Grand Rapids High School located in
Michigan
Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and t ...
and attended the
University of Michigan
, mottoeng = "Arts, Knowledge, Truth"
, former_names = Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania (1817–1821)
, budget = $10.3 billion (2021)
, endowment = $17 billion (2021)As o ...
and
New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin.
In 1832, th ...
.
While at NYU, he wrote two children's books published by Delacorte Press and a teleplay for the CBS Afternoon Playhouse.
Career
He is co-creator of a short-lived
television series
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...
called ''
Profit
Profit may refer to:
Business and law
* Profit (accounting), the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market
* Profit (economics), normal profit and economic profit
* Profit (real property), a nonpossessory inter ...
'' which ran on the
Fox network in April 1996, as well as ''
Vengeance Unlimited
''Vengeance Unlimited'' is an American crime drama series broadcast during 1998–1999 on ABC which lasted for one season of sixteen episodes. The show starred Michael Madsen and Kathleen York.
Premise
Mr. Chapel was a mysterious stranger ke ...
'' for
ABC in 1998 and ''
Fastlane'' for Fox in 2002. In 1998, his McNamara Paper Products company had inked an exclusive deal with
Warner Bros. Television
Warner Bros. Television Studios (operating under the name Warner Bros. Television; formerly known as Warner Bros. Television Division) is an American television production and distribution studio of the Warner Bros. Television Group division of ...
to develop scripted programming.
McNamara went on to executive produce several other television shows, including ''
The Fugitive'' (a remake from 2000 to 2001 season) and ''
Eyes
Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and con ...
''. After nearly a decade working at Warner Bros., he moved to
CBS Paramount Television in 2006 for a two-year overall deal. In 2007, he served a stint as Consulting Producer on the series ''Jericho''. In 2010, McNamara joined the production of ''
In Plain Sight
''In Plain Sight'' is an American drama television series that premiered on the USA Network on June 1, 2008. The series revolves around Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack), a Deputy United States Marshal attached to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, office ...
'' as Executive Producer for Season 3.
McNamara was the supervising producer for 23 episodes of the TV show ''
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman''. He worked on the NBC show ''
Aquarius
Aquarius may refer to:
Astrology
* Aquarius (astrology), an astrological sign
* Age of Aquarius, a time period in the cycle of astrological ages
Astronomy
* Aquarius (constellation)
* Aquarius in Chinese astronomy
Arts and entertainment ...
'' that stars
David Duchovny
David William Duchovny ( ; born ) is an American actor, writer, producer, director, novelist, and singer-songwriter. He is known for portraying FBI agent Fox Mulder on the television series ''The X-Files'' (1993–2002, 2016-2018) and as write ...
and on the Syfy series ''
The Magicians'' based on the bestselling
Lev Grossman
Lev Grossman (born June 26, 1969) is an American novelist and journalist who wrote ''The Magicians Trilogy'': '' The Magicians'' (2009), ''The Magician King'' (2011), and ''The Magician's Land'' (2014). He was the book critic and lead technology ...
novel of the same name.
McNamara wrote and co-produced the feature film ''
Trumbo,'' for which
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Lee Cranston (born March 7, 1956) is an American actor and director who is best known for portraying Walter White in the AMC crime drama series ''Breaking Bad'' (2008–2013) and Hal in the Fox sitcom ''Malcolm in the Middle'' (2000–20 ...
was nominated for an
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
, as
Dalton Trumbo, one of
The Hollywood Ten
''The Hollywood Ten'' is a 1950 American 16mm short documentary film. In the film, each member of the Hollywood Ten made a short speech denouncing McCarthyism and the Hollywood blacklisting.
The film was directed by John Berry. After being nam ...
blacklisted screenwriters. The film, directed by
Jay Roach
Mathew Jay Roach (born June 14, 1957) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the ''Austin Powers'' film series, '' Meet the Parents'', '' Dinner for Schmucks'', '' The Campaign'', '' Trumbo'', and '' Bombshell''.
Roach also e ...
, was released on November 6, 2015.
Honors
His play "Present Tense" won the first annual Young Playwrights' competition and was then produced off-Broadway.
''
Trumbo'' was nominated by the
Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America is the joint efforts of two different US labor unions representing TV and film writers:
* The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), headquartered in New York City and affiliated with the AFL–CIO
* The Writers Gu ...
for Best Adapted Screenplay and McNamara was awarded the WGAW's
Paul Selvin Award in 2016 which honors writers whose work “embodies the spirit of the constitutional and civil right liberties that are indispensable to the survival of free writers everywhere.”
Filmography
As a TV producer
*''
Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon'' (1989, ABC) (Co-Producer)
*''
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.'' (FOX, 1993) (Producer)
*''
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'' (ABC, 1993–1997) (Supervising Producer)
*''
Profit
Profit may refer to:
Business and law
* Profit (accounting), the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market
* Profit (economics), normal profit and economic profit
* Profit (real property), a nonpossessory inter ...
'' (FOX, 1996–1997) (Executive Producer)
*''
Spy Game
''Spy Game'' is a 2001 American action thriller film directed by Tony Scott and starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. The film grossed $62 million in the United States and $143 million worldwide on a $115 million budget, and received mostly ...
'' (ABC, 1997) (Executive Producer)
*''
Vengeance Unlimited
''Vengeance Unlimited'' is an American crime drama series broadcast during 1998–1999 on ABC which lasted for one season of sixteen episodes. The show starred Michael Madsen and Kathleen York.
Premise
Mr. Chapel was a mysterious stranger ke ...
'' (ABC, 1998) (Executive Producer)
*''
The Fugitive'' (USA, 2000–2001) (Executive Producer)
*''
Fastlane'' (FOX, 2002–2003) (Executive Producer)
*''
Eyes
Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and con ...
'' (ABC, 2005) (Executive Producer)
*''
Orpheus
Orpheus (; Ancient Greek: Ὀρφεύς, classical pronunciation: ; french: Orphée) is a Thracian bard, legendary musician and prophet in ancient Greek religion. He was also a renowned poet and, according to the legend, travelled with J ...
'' (USA, 2006) (Executive Producer)
*''Them'' (FOX, 2007) (Executive Producer)
*''
Jericho
Jericho ( ; ar, أريحا ; he, יְרִיחוֹ ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank. It is located in the Jordan Valley, with the Jordan River to the east and Jerusalem to the west. It is the administrative seat of the Jericho ...
'' (CBS, 2008) (Consulting Producer)
*''
The Philanthropist'' (NBC, 2009) (Consulting Producer)
*''
In Plain Sight
''In Plain Sight'' is an American drama television series that premiered on the USA Network on June 1, 2008. The series revolves around Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack), a Deputy United States Marshal attached to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, office ...
'' (USA, 2010) (Executive Producer)
*''
Prime Suspect
''Prime Suspect'' is a British police procedural television drama series devised by Lynda La Plante. It stars Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors in Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service, who ...
'' (NBC, 2011–2012) (Executive Producer)
*''
Common Law
In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omniprese ...
'' (USA, 2012) (Consulting Producer)
*''
The Magicians'' (Syfy, 2015) (Executive Producer)
*''
Aquarius
Aquarius may refer to:
Astrology
* Aquarius (astrology), an astrological sign
* Age of Aquarius, a time period in the cycle of astrological ages
Astronomy
* Aquarius (constellation)
* Aquarius in Chinese astronomy
Arts and entertainment ...
'' (NBC, 2015–2016) (Creator, Executive Producer)
As a TV writer
*''
CBS Afternoon Playhouse
''CBS Schoolbreak Special'' is an American anthology series for teenagers that aired on CBS from December 1978 to January 1996. The series began under the title ''CBS Afternoon Playhouse'', and was changed during the 1984–85 season. The concept ...
'' (1983, CBS)
*''
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color'' (1987, ABC)
*''
Save the Dog!'' (1988, USA)
*''
Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon'' (1989, ABC)
*''
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.'' (FOX, 1993)
*''
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'' (ABC, 1993–1997)
*''
Profit
Profit may refer to:
Business and law
* Profit (accounting), the difference between the purchase price and the costs of bringing to market
* Profit (economics), normal profit and economic profit
* Profit (real property), a nonpossessory inter ...
'' (FOX, 1996–1997)
*''
Spy Game
''Spy Game'' is a 2001 American action thriller film directed by Tony Scott and starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. The film grossed $62 million in the United States and $143 million worldwide on a $115 million budget, and received mostly ...
'' (ABC, 1997)
*''
Vengeance Unlimited
''Vengeance Unlimited'' is an American crime drama series broadcast during 1998–1999 on ABC which lasted for one season of sixteen episodes. The show starred Michael Madsen and Kathleen York.
Premise
Mr. Chapel was a mysterious stranger ke ...
'' (ABC, 1998)
*''
The Fugitive'' (USA, 2000–2001)
*''
Fastlane'' (FOX, 2002–2003)
*''
Eyes
Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and con ...
'' (ABC, 2005–2007)
*''Them'' (FOX, 2007)
*''
The Philanthropist'' (NBC, 2009)
*''
In Plain Sight
''In Plain Sight'' is an American drama television series that premiered on the USA Network on June 1, 2008. The series revolves around Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack), a Deputy United States Marshal attached to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, office ...
'' (USA, 2010)
*''
Prime Suspect
''Prime Suspect'' is a British police procedural television drama series devised by Lynda La Plante. It stars Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors in Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service, who ...
'' (NBC, 2011–2012)
*''
Common Law
In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omniprese ...
'' (USA, 2012)
*''
The Magicians'' (Syfy, 2015)
*''
Aquarius
Aquarius may refer to:
Astrology
* Aquarius (astrology), an astrological sign
* Age of Aquarius, a time period in the cycle of astrological ages
Astronomy
* Aquarius (constellation)
* Aquarius in Chinese astronomy
Arts and entertainment ...
'' (NBC, 2015)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:McNamara, John
Living people
University of Michigan alumni
American television writers
American male television writers
1962 births
East Grand Rapids, Michigan