Biography
Robert Shapiro launched his career in show business working in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency. He climbed the corporate ladder to become Managing Director of William Morris' London Office and later Senior Vice-President and Head of their International Motion Picture Department, representing some of the industry's top stars and filmmakers.
After departing William Morris, Shapiro served as President of Warner Bros. Worldwide Theatrical Production Division for over six years.
During his tenure at Warner Bros., he produced more than 50 films, including the "Superman" series, "Hooper," "Private Benjamin," "Going in Style," "The In-Laws," "Altered States," "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Time After Time," "Every Which Way But Loose," "The Shining," and "Chariots of Fire."
Shapiro produced Tim Burton’s acclaimed comedy hit, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure."
He executive produced Steven Spielberg’s "Empire of the Sun," starring John Malkovich and Christian Bale.
He produced "Arthur 2: On the Rocks," featuring Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli, and John Gielgud, directed by Bud Yorkin.
Shapiro produced "There Goes My Baby," starring Noah Wylie, Dermot Mulroney, Rick Schroder, Keli Williams, and Kristen Minter, written and directed by Floyd Mutrux, released by Orion.
He produced the critically praised "Black Beauty," written and directed by Caroline Thompson and released by Warner Bros.
Shapiro produced the comedy "Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde," directed by David Price for Savoy Pictures.
He produced Walt Disney Pictures' hit comedy "My Favorite Martian," starring Jeff Daniels, Christopher Lloyd, and Elizabeth Hurley, directed by Donald Petrie.
His company, Robert Shapiro Productions, produced the made-for-TV movie "The Summer My Father Grew Up," starring John Ritter and directed by Michael Tuchner, which aired on NBC.
Shapiro produced "Cadet Kelly," starring Hilary Duff, for the Disney Channel; it ranks among their top ten highest rated movies.
He produced the successful comedy "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," starring Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox, directed by Sara Sugarman and written by Gail Parent, based on Dyan Sheldon’s bestselling novel for Walt Disney Pictures. Shapiro also directed second unit on this film.
Films associated with Shapiro have received numerous Academy Awards and nominations. He earned a Golden Globe nomination and received the Christopher Award for "Empire of the Sun," as well as the Genesis Award for Best Picture for "Black Beauty."
Shapiro has directed second unit on several films and directed episodes of Dick Clark and Fox TV Network’s "Beyond Belief."
He is producing a film in collaboration with BBC Films titled "The Children of Willesden Lane," based on the remarkable true memoir by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. The screenplay is by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse ("Race," "Frankie and Alice") and executive produced by Christine Langan and Ed Wethered for BBC Films.
Shapiro is preparing a film called "Fig," written and to be directed by Will Geiger ("Elvis & Annabelle" starring Blake Lively and Max Minghella).
He is developing a film based on the 2016 Athena List Award-winning screenplay "In The Land of Fire & Ice," written by David MacGregor, to be directed by Sarah Knight ("Vino Veritas") and co-starring Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo ("House of Sand & Fog," "24," "House of Saddam").
Shapiro is also preparing a film set in Australia, titled "The Way Back," based on a short story from Sabina Murray’s Pen/Faulkner Award-winning book "The Caprices."
He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, serving on the Nicholl Fellowship screenwriting selection committee, the Foreign Language Film Committee, and the Academy Animated Feature Film Committee.
Shapiro mentors graduate filmmakers at the Peter Stark Program at USC. He has taught classes and been a guest lecturer at USC, UCLA, NYU, Emerson College, University of Nebraska, University of Utah, and the Los Angeles Film School.
