Jonathan Mostow (born November 28, 1961) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He has directed films such as '' Breakdown'' (1997), '' U-571'' (2000), '' Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'' (2003), and ''

Surrogates ''Surrogates'' is a 2009 American science fiction action film based on the 2005–2006 comic book series ''The Surrogates''. Directed by Jonathan Mostow, it stars Bruce Willis as Tom Greer, an FBI agent who ventures out into the real world to ...

'' (2009).

Early life

Mostow was born in

Woodbridge, Connecticut Woodbridge is a New England town, town in New Haven County, Connecticut, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut, South Central Connecticut Planning Region. The ...

. His father George Daniel Mostow was a mathematician, and his mother is a social worker. He graduated from

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

. He also trained at the American Repertory Company and the Lee Strasberg Institute. He grew up in a

Conservative Jewish Conservative Judaism, also known as Masorti Judaism, is a Jewish religious movements, Jewish religious movement that regards the authority of Jewish law and tradition as emanating primarily from the assent of the people through the generations ...

household.

Career

In 1989, Mostow directed a direct-to-video horror comedy, '' Beverly Hills Bodysnatchers''. Mostow was originally attached to direct '' The Game'' (1997), with

Kyle MacLachlan Kyle Merritt MacLachlan ( ; ' McLachlan, February 22, 1959) is an American actor. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning role as Dale Cooper in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, 2017) and its film prequel '' Twin Peaks: Fire ...

and Bridget Fonda for the lead roles. However, he ended up being an executive producer after

David Fincher David Andrew Leo Fincher (born August 28, 1962) is an American film director. Often described as one of the preeminent directors of his generation, David Fincher filmography, his films, of which most are psychological thrillers, have collectiv ...

came on to direct. In 1997, he directed '' Breakdown'', a thriller film starring

Kurt Russell Kurt Vogel Russell (born March 17, 1951) is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor before transitioning to leading roles as an adult in various genres such as action adventures, science-fiction, westerns, romance films, co ...

. Around the same time, he signed a deal with Universal Pictures. Both Mostow and Lieberman received a TV deal, via his Mostow/Lieberman Productions company to Studios USA. In 2000, Mostow directed a World War II-era submarine film, '' U-571''. He assembled a cast including

Matthew McConaughey Matthew David McConaughey ( ; born November 4, 1969) is an American actor. He achieved his breakthrough with a supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy '' Dazed and Confused'' (1993). After a number of supporting roles, his first su ...

, Bill Paxton,

Harvey Keitel Harvey Keitel ( ; born May 13, 1939) is an American actor and film producer, known for his portrayal of morally ambiguous and "tough guy" characters. He rose to prominence during the New Hollywood movement, and has held a long-running associatio ...

, TC Carson, and

Jon Bon Jovi John Francis Bongiovi Jr. (born March 2, 1962), known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He is best known as the founder and Lead vocalist, frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was fo ...

. The film topped the U.S. box office chart. In 2003, Mostow directed the third installment of the '' Terminator'' film series, '' Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'', which starred

Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. Governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...

. Mostow co-wrote a comic book series, '' The Megas'', with John Harrison. Illustrated by Peter Rubin, it was published on Virgin Comics in 2008. Mostow returned to direct another film, ''

'', in 2009. Based on the comic book series, it starred

Bruce Willis Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955) is a retired American actor. He achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama series ''Moonlighting (TV series), Moonlighting'' (1985–1989) and has appeared in over one hundred films, gaining ...

. In 2017, Mostow directed '' The Hunter's Prayer'', an action thriller film starring Sam Worthington.

Personal life

On October 7, 2018, Mostow married writer Laurie Sandell. The two met through JDate in 2014.

Filmography

Film

Executive producer * '' The Game'' (1997) * '' Hancock'' (2008) * ''The Hunter's Prayer'' (2017)

Television

TV movies

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mostow, Jonathan Living people 1961 births 20th-century American Jews 21st-century American Jews American action film directors American science fiction film directors Film directors from Connecticut Harvard University alumni People from Woodbridge, Connecticut