Adam Saunders is an American actor, writer, director,[1][2] and producer. He is the CEO and a founding member of Footprint Features.[3][4][5]
Adam Saunders | |
|---|---|
 Saunders at San Diego International Film Festival - 2022 | |
| Education | Duke University (BA) Yale University (MFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer, director, and producer |
Biography
editSaunders graduated high school at Richardson High School, earned a drama degree from Duke University, and a master's in acting from the Yale School of Drama.[4][5][6]
In 2007, Saunders started Footprint Features, a Los Angeles-based production company.[3]
In 2011, Saunders produced and acted in Family Weekend, starring Kristin Chenoweth, and Joey King. The film was written by Matt K. Turner, directed by Benjamin Epps, and executive produced by the Bedford Falls Company.[7] In 2013, he produced and acted in About Alex, starring Aubrey Plaza, Max Greenfield, Jason Ritter, and Jane Levy, and written and directed by Jesse Zwick. The film was executive produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz and played at the 2013 TriBeCa Film Festival.[8] In 2017, he produced and acted in Oren Uziel's crime thriller Shimmer Lake which was named as Variety’s 2017 standout for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.[9]
In 2018, Saunders produced the Netflix romantic comedy When We First Met starring Adam Devine and Alexandra Daddario, written by John Whittington (screenwriter) and directed by Ari Sandel. The film was produced alongside Mason Novick and Wonderland Sound and Vision.[10]
In 2022, Saunders made his directorial film debut with Dotty & Soul,[11] an indie comedy[6] in which he starred alongside Tony and Emmy winner Leslie Uggams.[2][12] Dotty & Soul premiered at the 2022 San Diego Film Festival.[13][14] In 2023, it sold to Showtime.[15]
Also in 2022, Saunders produced Darby and the Dead starring Riele Downs and Auli'i Cravalho for 20th Century Studios. The film was directed by Silas Howard, shot in Cape Town, South Africa and was released on December 2, 2022 on Hulu.[16][17]
In 2023, Saunders signed on to star in the comedy Re-Election, alongside television icon Tony Danza and Bex Taylor-Klaus.[13] Re-Election was Saunders' second directorial effort. The film was set in Richardson, Texas and shot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[6]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Family Weekend | No | Yes | No |
| 2014 | About Alex | No | Yes | No |
| 2017 | Shimmer Lake | No | Yes | No |
| 2018 | When We First Met | No | Yes | No |
| 2022 | Darby and the Dead[4] | No | Yes | No |
| 2022 | Dotty & Soul | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2024 | Re-Election | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Acting roles
editTelevision
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Brendan Cory | 1 episode |
| 2007-2008 | The Game | Waiter | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Meet Me in the Graveyard | Ace | |
| 2020 | The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez | Informant (voice) | 1 episode |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Roommate | Handsome Guy | ||
| 2013 | Family Weekend | Rick | ||
| 2014 | About Alex | Night Editor | ||
| 2017 | Shimmer Lake | State Trooper | [5][18] | |
| 2018 | Confidence | Boss | Short film | |
| 2022 | Dotty & Soul | Ethan Cox | [1][6][11][19] | |
| 2024 | Re-Election | Jimmy Bauer | [13] |
References
edit- ^ a b Philbrick, Jami (2023-05-19). "Leslie Uggams Talks 'Dotty and Soul' and playing Blind Al in 'Deadpool 3'". Moviefone. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b White, Armond (2023-05-19). "The Wit and Resistance of Dotty & Soul". National Review. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b "North Texas producer screens debut feature 'Family Weekend'". Dallas News. 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b c Yanes, Nicholas (2023-01-09). "Adam Saunders on his career and producing "Darby and the Dead"". SciFiPulse.Net. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b c Peterson, Aaron B. (2017-06-09). "Interview with Producer Adam Saunders | Netflix's Shimmer Lake". The Hollywood Outsider - Film and Television Podcast | Reviews. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ a b c d Jorgenson, Todd (2023-05-18). "Dallas Native Adam Saunders Wants to Use Social Satire to Reexamine Our Priorities". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ "Family Weekend: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Chang, Justin (2014-08-09). "Film Review: 'About Alex'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Tapley, Kristopher; Riley, Jenelle (2017-06-22). "Oscars: 13 Deserving Contenders From 2017 So Far". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Sandel, Ari (2018-02-09), When We First Met (Comedy, Fantasy, Romance), Adam Devine, Alexandra Daddario, Shelley Hennig, Footprint Features, Wonderland Sound and Vision, MXN Entertainment, retrieved 2024-03-20
- ^ a b Witherspoon, Patrice (2022-10-24). "Dotty & Soul Review: Saunders' Timely Feature Debut Is Heartfelt & Humorous". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ Bruno, Yanette (2023-04-29). "NYC Screening of Film Dotty & Soul". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (2023-03-31). "Tony Danza & Bex Taylor-Klaus To Star Opposite Adam Saunders In His Indie Comedy 'Re-Election'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ Billington, Alex (2023-04-14). "Leslie Uggams Takes Over a Company in Comedy 'Dotty & Soul' Trailer | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ "Dotty & Soul | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ Yanes, Nicholas (2023-01-09). "Adam Saunders on his career and producing "Darby and the Dead"". SciFiPulse.Net. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "Adam Saunders | Actor, Producer, Writer". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "Adam Saunders | Movies and Filmography". AllMovie. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ "Adam Saunders | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.