Biographie
Ronald Jacobs, a UCLA Theater Arts-Motion Pictures graduate, began his television career in his senior year as a Production Assistant for producers Louis F. Edelman and Sheldon Leonard. He advanced through roles including Associate Producer, Production Supervisor, Production Executive, Executive in Charge of Production, Director, Producer, Executive Producer, and President of Television. He worked with companies such as Daisy Productions, Calvada Productions, Mirisch/Rich Productions, Thomas/Spelling Productions, T&L Productions, Danny Thomas Productions, Sheldon Leonard Productions, and Larry Thompson Organization/New World Entertainment. His credits include involvement with shows like "The Danny Thomas Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "That Girl," "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.," "The Mod Squad," "The Andy Griffith Show," "My World and Welcome To It," and "I Spy."
Jacobs contributed to pilot films for 22 series sold to networks and produced 26 comedy/variety specials, including "Country vs City," "Young And Foolish," "Wonderful World of Burlesque," "My Home Town," "Sea World," "It's Greek To Me," "Guys And Geishas," "Block Party USA," "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To A Special," and "The Unbroken Circle." He also produced twenty made-for-television movies such as "The Over The Hill Gang," "Three On A Date," "Satan's Triangle," "The Woman He Loved," and "Samurai."
His directing experience spans second unit action scenes, three-camera comedy shows, TV title sequences, and over fifty commercials. As Executive in Charge of Production, he led the Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard companies, handling business affairs, industrial relations, personnel, facilities, and administrative services. His feature film production credits include the successful 20th Century Fox comedy-drama "On the Right Track"; "Jimmy The Kid," adapted from a Donald Westlake novel; the political action film "Land of the Free"; and the international action feature "Running Red," directed by his son Jerry P. Jacobs.
Known for his skills in script doctoring and creative consulting, Jacobs worked on television movies and low-budget features, including PM Entertainment’s "The Magic Kid" and "The Magic Kid 2," where he earned Executive Producer credit. As a Producer/Director, he is recognized for delivering quality projects on or under budget. Reflecting on his career, Jacobs states, "In the early part of my career, I was the 'bad cop' in the good cop/bad cop cost control dynamic. I now prefer my role as the 'tough good cop'—a good cop with fiscal responsibility."
Jacobs is listed in "Who's Who in Entertainment," "Who's Who in America," and "Who's Who in The World." He is actively involved in civic, charitable, and industry organizations, holding memberships in both the Television and Motion Picture Academies; the Directors Guild of America; and serving on the Board of Representatives for The Entertainment Industry Foundation. He was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. He has judged the Student Academy Awards, TV Academy intern programs, Emmy Awards, ACE Cable Awards, and serves as a judge for the Nicholl Fellowship Screenwriting Awards of the Motion Picture Academy.
Having spent much of his career improving others' scripts, Jacobs has shifted focus to writing theatrical features. His works include the Middle East adventure "Hanging By A Thread"; two scripts for "Crimes of Passion 2"; the film noir thriller "The Color of Passion"; the collaboration with Paula Brancatto, "Love You To Death"; and the relationship comedy "Warm Lips." With Maria James, he co-wrote "Busted," an erotic comedy, and with Ken Rotcop, he penned "Swedish Summer," a romantic coming-of-age drama for Elephant Productions.
