Biography
David Hoberman is the founder and co-owner of Mandeville Films and Television, a leading producer in today’s entertainment industry. His Disney-affiliated company, Mandeville Films, is recognized as one of the most profitable and respected production labels in entertainment.
Since its establishment in 1995, Mandeville Films has produced feature films that have earned over $2.5 billion in domestic box-office revenue. Their diverse slate spans multiple genres, focusing on character-driven stories with universal, often uplifting themes.
Hoberman’s latest film is Disney’s live-action adaptation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as The Beast. Directed by Bill Condon, the critically acclaimed movie has set worldwide box office records and became the highest-grossing PG-rated film ever in North America. The cast also includes Emma Thompson, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Luke Evans, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellan, Ewan McGregor, and Audra McDonald.
Upcoming projects include STRONGER, the inspiring story of Boston Marathon survivor Jeff Bauman, directed by David Gordon Green, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, and Clancy Brown. It premiered at the 2017 Toronto Film Festival and is set for release on September 22, 2017, by Roadside Attractions. Another film, WONDER, based on R.J. Palacio’s best-selling YA novel, directed by Stephen Chbosky and starring Julia Roberts, Jason Tremblay, and Daveed Diggs, is scheduled for release on November 17, 2017, by Lionsgate. Both films were developed in-house at Mandeville. The company is also producing EXTINCTION, a sci-fi thriller starring Michael Pena and Lizzy Caplan, directed by Ben Young and to be released by Universal Pictures. Additionally, Mandeville is in pre-production on THE AERONAUTS for Amazon Studios, written by Jack Thorne and based on the true story of balloon pilot Amelia Wren and scientist James Glaisher’s extraordinary journey to uncover the secrets of the skies.
Other notable Mandeville films include the critically acclaimed, Academy Award®-nominated THE FIGHTER, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams, directed by David O. Russell. Produced on a $25 million budget, it grossed nearly $130 million worldwide and received numerous accolades, including Academy Award® nominations for Best Picture and acting awards for Bale and Leo.
Hoberman also produced THE MUPPETS, starring Jason Segel, Amy Adams, and Walter, the newest Muppet. Directed by James Bobin and written by Segel and Nick Stoller, THE MUPPETS received critical acclaim in 2011 and won the Academy Award® for Best Song. Mandeville also produced the follow-up, MUPPETS MOST WANTED. Hoberman produced WARM BODIES, a genre-blending "zombie romance" based on Isaac Marion’s novel, starring Nicholas Hoult, John Malkovich, and Teresa Palmer, written and directed by Jonathan Levine for Summit/Lionsgate. Mandeville executive produced INSURGENT and ALLEGIANT, part of the DIVERGENT series.
Mandeville has maintained a first-look deal with Disney for over two decades.
Under Disney, Mandeville produced several hits, including the romantic comedy THE PROPOSAL, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. THE PROPOSAL became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of 2009, earning over $317 million worldwide. It won the People’s Choice Award for Best Comedy and helped Mandeville surpass the billion-dollar mark in box office revenue.
Hoberman launched Mandeville Films in 1995, signing a five-year first-look deal with Walt Disney Studios. In 1999, he secured another first-look deal for Mandeville with Disney alongside Todd Lieberman, who became a co-partner in 2001.
Hoberman created the award-winning USA Network series "Monk," executive-produced by Mandeville and led by Hoberman. The show ran for eight seasons.
Before founding Mandeville Films, Hoberman was president of the Motion Picture Group at Walt Disney Studios, overseeing development and production for Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone, and Hollywood Pictures. During his tenure, Disney frequently led domestic box office grosses. In 1990, PRETTY WOMAN, which Hoberman supervised, was the year’s top-grossing film, with its soundtrack also leading sales. He was instrumental in major hits including FATHER OF THE BRIDE, WHAT ABOUT BOB, DEAD POETS SOCIETY, ED WOOD, DANGEROUS MINDS, RUTHLESS PEOPLE, BEACHES, THREE MEN AND A BABY, and HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS. Hoberman also championed Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, the first full-length stop-motion animation feature.
Hoberman began his career in the ABC mailroom, quickly advancing through the entertainment industry. He worked for Norman Lear’s Tandem/T.A.T. in television and film and was a talent agent at ICM before joining Disney in 1985.
Currently, Hoberman serves as a visiting assistant professor in UCLA’s Graduate School Producers Program. He has served on the board of the Starlight Starbright Foundation for over a decade, is a member of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America’s board, and served on the Los Angeles Free Clinic board for six years.
He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Hoberman also serves on the Board of Suffolk University in Boston and the Board of Overseers at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.
