Sam Esmail
Sam Esmail | |
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Born | (1977-09-17) September 17, 1977 (age 46) Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S. |
Education | New York University (BA) Dartmouth College American Film Institute (MFA) |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2004–present |
Notable work | Mr. Robot Homecoming Comet |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Sam Esmail (born September 17, 1977)
Esmail's work often centers on the themes of alienation, technology, and American society.
Early life and education
Esmail was born to
When he was five years old,[9] his family moved to South Carolina and then to Charlotte, North Carolina.[10][11] As a child, Esmail was very interested in technology. He acquired his first computer when he was nine and began computer programming a few years later.[9] He attended high school in Summerville, South Carolina, where he faced racism. He said, "I used to hold Stanley Kubrick film festivals at my house in high school. These are not cool things. Back in my day, those are things that you would get beaten up for ... When you're a funny-looking Egyptian growing up in Jersey and South Carolina, it kind of gets rough."[9][12] The family eventually moved back to Sewell, New Jersey, where Esmail graduated from Washington Township High School in 1995.[11][13]
Esmail attended
After graduating he briefly worked for an internet start-up, before founding his own ISP software company called Portal Vision.[5] At age 20, he raised US$6 million in venture capital funding during the dot-com boom but the software quickly became outdated when broadband internet began replacing dial-up.[14] He left his position as president and chief technology officer to briefly attend Dartmouth College's creative writing program.[5]
Esmail moved to Los Angeles in 2001 where he attended the AFI Conservatory.[4][18] He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in directing in 2004.[4][19]
Career
2004–2014: Early career and Comet
After graduating the AFI Conservatory in 2004, Esmail struggled to find work and held odd jobs. He worked as an assistant film editor for a few years and was eventually able to establish a career as a
When not working as a full-time editor, Esmail worked on writing screenplays.
He wrote seriously for years before stopping to focus on his passion, directing. He began writing his own feature-length directorial debut, Comet, which was released by IFC Films in 2014.[26] Comet premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and had a limited box office release.[5]
2014–2020: Mr. Robot and Homecoming
Mr. Robot
In a 2015 interview, Esmail explained the influence of his experiences as a second-generation American on his work, saying, "I tend to write about alienated figures who can't connect with others and who are kind of distant from American culture. It's not something I am consciously doing but it's something that happens to be infused inside me because of my experience growing up in America."[33] Following the wide recognition of Mr. Robot, Esmail formed his own production company, Esmail Corp. In early 2017, Esmail was called on by Universal Pictures to produce a film centered around the Bermuda Triangle, but production has since not been carried through.[34]
Homecoming
Esmail was one of the executive producers and director of the
2021–present: Career expansion
In September 2020, Esmail sold two dramas to ABC;[39] in January 2021, a pilot was ordered for the first of those shows, Acts of Crime, but was not picked up by the network.[40][41] In February 2020, it was also announced that Esmail would be producing a new television series with Homecoming collaborator Julia Roberts based on the Slow Burn podcast's coverage of the Watergate scandal.[42] Titled Gaslit, production began in Spring 2021 and it premiered on Starz in April 2022.[43] Also in 2020, it was announced that Esmail will direct a film adaptation of the novel Leave the World Behind for Netflix starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha'la Herrold.[44] Production began in April 2022, at which time it was announced that Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions had joined the project as producers.[45]
In June 2021, it was announced that
In March 2022, Apple ordered to series the television adaptation of the 1927 sci-fi classic Metropolis, to be written, directed, and produced by Esmail. The project was first revealed in 2016.[48][49] On June 18, 2023, it was announced the project was canceled.[50]
In development
Since 2018, Esmail has been developing a film with
In February 2020, it was announced that Esmail would develop one of the initial projects for Condé Nast's new Wired Studio; called Tell Tale Heart, his film is based on the 2019 Wired article of the same name.[53] He began developing television series The American Throne with director Julius Onah in 2021.[54] Other projects in various stages of pre-production include a miniseries based on an ensemble comedy False Alarm produced with Paul Feig, and a Coast guard-centered procedural.[55][56] Esmail is also developing a series for the Battlestar Galactica franchise for NBCU with Michael Lesslie as showrunner.[57][58] As of 2019, he is also producing a scripted podcast series for the UCP Audio network called This End Up.[59]
Personal life
In August 2015, Esmail became engaged to actress Emmy Rossum after dating for two years.[60] He had directed her in his debut film, Comet.[61] The two married on May 28, 2017, at a Reform synagogue in New York City.[62][63] They have two children: a daughter (born May 2021)[64] and a son (born April 2023).[65]
Esmail is fluent in Arabic, notably giving part of his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in the language.[66]
Esmail suffers from social anxiety disorder and credits his wife Rossum in helping him with it.[10]
Esmail divides his time between New York City and Los Angeles.[67]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | Producer | |||
2002 | The Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special | No | No | Yes | Short film |
2004 | Deep Down in Florida | Yes | No | No | Short film |
2014 | Comet | Yes | Yes | No | |
Mockingbird | No | Story | No | ||
2016 | Risk | No | No | Executive | Documentary |
2023 | Leave the World Behind | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Television
Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | Executive producer | |||
2008–2009 | HBO First Look
|
No | No | No | Post-production coordinator (3 episodes) |
2010 | The Battle for Late Night | No | No | No | Post-production supervisor (documentary) |
2015–2019 | Mr. Robot | Yes | Yes | Yes | Creator; director (38 episodes), writer (24 episodes), actor (6 episodes) |
2018–2020 | Homecoming | Yes | No | Yes | Director (10 episodes) |
2020 | Briarpatch | No | No | Yes | |
2021 | Acts of Crime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Pilot; not picked up to series |
2022 | Gaslit | No | No | Yes | Limited series |
2022 | Angelyne | No | No | Yes | Miniseries |
2022 | The Resort | No | No | Yes |
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ a b c Eells, Josh (July 7, 2016). "'Mr. Robot': Inside TV's Hacktivist Breakout Hit". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
Esmail, 38 [as of July 7, 2016]...
- ^ a b Stanhope, Kate (June 24, 2015), "'Mr. Robot' Creator on the Sony Hack, Antiheroes and the Dangers of Facebook", The Hollywood Reporter, archived from the original on March 31, 2019
- ^ "Sam Esmail on Creating 'Homecoming,' Working With Julia Roberts". Rolling Stone. November 2, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "The AFI Interview: 'Mr. Robot' Creator Sam Esmail". American Film Institute. December 1, 2015. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
I was born to Egyptian parents...In New Jersey, in the United States of America
- ^ a b c d e f "The Secret Early Lives of Sam Esmail | Without Fail". Gimlet. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ a b Terry Gross (interviewer); Sam Esmail (interviewee) (October 30, 2019). 'Mr. Robot' Creator Says His Own Anxiety And Hacking Helped Inspire The Show (audio). NPR. Event occurs at 31:00–33:00. Retrieved November 5, 2019 – via NPR.com.
- ^ "Samer Esmail on Instagram: "My 2 favorite people #bigbrothers @samesmail @kenosplit"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ "Samer Esmail". IMDb. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c Eells, Josh (July 7, 2016). "'Mr. Robot': Inside TV's Hacktivist Breakout Hit". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
I'm Egyptian, and my parents stupidly decided to move us down to South Carolina when I was five, which was pretty brutal. I got called 'sand nigger' all the time — to the point I didn't even know it was a slur. I just thought, 'That's who I am.'
- ^ a b c Terry Gross (interviewer); Sam Esmail (interviewee) (October 30, 2019). 'Mr. Robot' Creator Says His Own Anxiety And Hacking Helped Inspire The Show (audio). NPR. Event occurs at 05:00–16:40. Retrieved November 5, 2019 – via NPR.com.
- ^ a b c "Sam Esmail, Class of 1995". Classmates. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Hyman, Vicki (January 14, 2016). "N.J.'s Sam Esmail, 'Mr. Robot' Creator, on Season 2 — and Getting Beaten Up in High School". NJ.com (NJ Advance Media). Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ Gray, Ellen."Mr. Robot returns – as mind-bending as ever, on USA", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 12, 2016. Accessed December 17, 2020. "Esmail, who graduated from Gloucester County's Washington Township High School in 1995, is directing all 12 episodes this season, which opens with the economy in free fall after a cyberattack."
- ^ a b c "Full transcript: 'Mr. Robot' creator Sam Esmail on Recode Decode". Vox. November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ New York University [@nyuniversity] (January 11, 2016). "WOOHOO!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 4, 2019 – via Twitter. "Director/exec producer Sam Esmail (Tisch '98) & exec. producer Steve Golin (Tisch '76) win Best Drama Golden Globe for Mr. Robot!"|
- ^ "Alumni". tisch.nyu.edu. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ The Huffington Post. Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ a b "Sam Esmail: Executive Producer". Mr. Robot official site (USA Network). Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ^ "ABOUT AFI". Unnatural. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ "Sam Sam Esmell [sic] Offline Coordinator Credits". Staff Me Up. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ "Sam Esmail Assistant Editor Credits". Staff Me Up. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ "Sam Esmail Executive Producer credits". Staff Me Up. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ Terry Gross (interviewer); Sam Esmail (interviewee) (October 30, 2019). 'Mr. Robot' Creator Says His Own Anxiety And Hacking Helped Inspire The Show (audio). NPR. Event occurs at 25:25–31:00. Retrieved November 5, 2019 – via NPR.com.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (April 26, 2010). "The Battle for Late Night". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Hurwitz, Neal. "The AFI Interview: MR. ROBOT Creator Sam Esmail | American Film Institute". Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ Tallerico, Brian. "Comet". Roger Ebert Film Reviews. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ^ Barr, Merrill (June 24, 2015). "'Mr. Robot': Creator Sam Esmail On Transitioning The Show From Feature Film To Pilot And More". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ "Showrunner Roundtable: 12 A-List Writers Dish About Lesbian Weddings, Race and Why "Black People Don't Get to Write for White People"". The Hollywood Reporter. May 11, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ a b "Sam Esmail on 'Battlestar Galactica' and Life After 'Mr. Robot'". The Hollywood Reporter. October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Littleton, Cynthia (December 16, 2015). "Anonymous Content Thrives on TV Boom, 'Spotlight' and 'The Revenant' Awards Heat". Variety. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 14, 2014). "USA Network Orders Hacking Drama Pilot 'Mr. Robot'". Deadline. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Thomas, June (June 24, 2015). "Why the Hacker Drama Mr. Robot Needed a Gay Character". Slate. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ^ Esmail in sam Asi, Husam (October 12, 2015). Sam Esmael [sic] and Rami Malek talk Mr. Robot – Interview. BBC Xtra. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ McNary, Dave (July 21, 2017). "'Mr. Robot' Creator Sam Esmail to Write, Direct Bermuda Triangle Movie". Variety. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller (November 14, 2018). "How Sam Esmail Directed the Hell Out of Homecoming". Vulture. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2019). "Sam Esmail Inks Massive New Overall Deal With Universal Content Productions". Deadline. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Goldberg, Lisa (September 17, 2019). "'Angelyne' Drama Based on Hollywood Reporter Article Joins NBCU's Streaming Slate". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Porter, Rick (April 19, 2022). "Peacock's 'Angelyne' Trailer: Emmy Rossum Embodies the L.A. Billboard Icon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 29, 2020). "Sam Esmail Makes 2 Big Drama Sales To ABC – 'Acts Of Crime' With Production Commitment & CDC Project As Put Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (February 3, 2021). "Sam Esmail ABC Pilot 'Acts of Crime' Casts Candace Grace in Lead Role, Adds Three Other Regulars". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Nellie Andreeva,Denise; Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (May 14, 2021). "ABC Pilots Update: Drama 'Acts Of Crime', Comedies 'Black Don't Crack', 'Bucktown' Not Moving Forward". Deadline. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Crucchiola, Jordan (February 21, 2020). "Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer to Star in Slow Burn Podcast TV Adaptation". Vulture. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ White, Peter (February 22, 2021). "'Gaslit': Julia Roberts & Sean Penn-Fronted Watergate Drama Lands At Starz, Joel & Nash Edgerton Exit, Matt Ross Joins As Director & EP". Deadline. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 20, 2020). "Netflix Wins Julia Roberts-Denzel Washington-Sam Esmail Package 'Leave The World Behind' Based On Rumaan Alam's Upcoming Novel". Deadline. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 14, 2022). "The Obamas' Higher Ground Boards Sam Esmail's Netflix Pic 'Leave The World Behind'". Deadline. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Porter, Rick (June 2, 2021). "Sam Esmail, 'Palm Springs' Writer Land Drama 'The Resort' at Peacock". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ Thorne, Will (February 13, 2020). "UCP Developing Dark Comedy Series From Sam Esmail, 'Palm Springs' Writer". Variety. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ "METROPOLIS". www.esmailcorp.com. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ White, Peter (March 1, 2022). "'Metropolis' TV Adaptation From Sam Esmail Lands Series Order At Apple". Deadline. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ "'Metropolis' TV Series Not Going Forward Amid Writers Strike & Mounting Pre-Production Costs". June 19, 2023.
- ^ "AMERICAN RADICAL". www.esmailcorp.com. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 17, 2020). "Nazrin Choudhury Tapped To Pen 'American Radical' For Universal, Sam Esmail And Rami Malek". Deadline. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (February 12, 2020). "Condé Nast Entertainment Shifting to Publication-Based Studio Structure for TV, Film Projects". Variety. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ White, Peter (June 28, 2021). "'The American Throne' Drama Series From Julius Onah & Sam Esmail In The Works At UCP". Deadline. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ "FALSE ALARM". www.esmailcorp.com. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (August 13, 2020). "'So Others May Live' Coast Guard Drama Series From Stephen Meinen & Sam Esmail In the Works At UCP". Deadline. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "'Battlestar Galactica' Reboot From Sam Esmail in the Works at NBCU's Streamer". The Hollywood Reporter. September 17, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ White, Peter (May 4, 2020). "'Battlestar Galactica': Michael Lesslie To Write & Exec Produce Peacock Reboot Of Sci-Fi Franchise". Deadline. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Universal Content Productions Launches Podcast Network With Sam Esmail Original". The Hollywood Reporter. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ "Emmy Rossum Engaged to Mr. Robot Creator Sam Esmail". People. August 31, 2015. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Miller, Gerri (February 5, 2015). "Hollywood Now: Mila Talks Parenthood & Breaking Bad's Saul Gets a Spinoff". InterfaithFamily. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ "Emmy Rossum Marries Mr. Robot Creator Sam Esmail — See Her Wedding Weekend Pics". PEOPLE.com.
- ^ "Emmy Rossum highlights issue of Jewish stereotypes in Hollywood casting". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Surprise! Emmy Rossum Welcomes Baby Girl with Husband Sam Esmail — and Shares Photos from Pregnancy!". People. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
- ^ "Emmy Rossum announces birth of son". CNN. April 6, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ^ "Mr. Robot creator says "Shukran" to family after Golden Globe Award". ArabAmericanNews. January 12, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
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External links
- Sam Esmail at IMDb
- "The AFI Interview: MR. ROBOT Creator Sam Esmail". American Film Institute. December 1, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
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