Sidney Kimmel (who also produces films under the names Caesar Kimmel and Sydney Kimmel[1]) is a world-famous billionaire filmmaker credited with producing many films.[2] Some of his many films include Death at a Funeral and Kite Runner.[3] He also ranks number 1,014 in the Forbes list of the richest people alive.[4] He is also a noted philanthropist who recently donated $25 million to Stand Up To Cancer.
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Personal life
Sidney Kimmel was born and raised in Philadelphia.[5] He attended Temple University.[6] He now lives in California with his wife Caroline.
Professional life
Kimmel founded Jones Apparel Group in 1970 while working at W.R. Grace. 5 years later, He purchased the company with a partner. Notable lines produced by Kimmel include: Jones New York, Evan-Picone, 9 West; licensing deals with Ralph Lauren. Stepped down as chief executive officer of Jones in 2002 but remains chairman of the board of directors; has sold most of his shares in the publicly-traded company. Today, he owns art, real estate, movie production outfit Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, and a small stake in the professional NBA basketball team Miami Heat.[7]
Kimmel is an active philanthropist especially with his work with the cure cancer movement.
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Founded in 2004, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based production, finance and distribution company headed by veteran producer Sidney Kimmel, is focused on financing and producing high-profile, quality filmed entertainment projects for mainstream audiences.
SKE’s diverse upcoming slate includes SKE and Screen Gems remake of SKE’s 2007 production of the British comedy “Death at a Funeral,” which Frank Oz directed and MGM released. The new film, which recently completed principal photography, stars an ensemble cast of primarily black talent headed by Chris Rock, who also co-produced, co-wrote. Other cast members include Loretta Devine, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Martin Lawrence, James Marsden, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Columbus Short. Neil LaBute directed. Screen Gems will release in 2010.
SKE, which launched in 2004, financed and/or produced or co-produced 17 motion pictures between 2004 and 2008, including such notable titles as “The Kite Runner,” “United 93,” “Breach,” “Lars and the Real Girl,” “Adventureland,” “Death at a Funeral,” and “Synecdoche, New York.”
Recently, the Company has announced the upcoming projects “Old Timers” (tentatively titled), a feature comedy to be directed by Jon Amiel; the comedy “Cloudburst,” starring Oscar winning actresses Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker, with production scheduled for a fall start in Nova Scotia. Thom Fitzgerald wrote and will direct the film; and a co-production with Greet Street Films and A Bigger Boat entitled “Mixed Blood,” a thriller to be directed by Phillip Noyce with Samuel Jackson set to star. Kelly Masterson has adapted the screenplay from the Roger Smith novel of the same name, which was published in mid 2009. In addition, SKE recently acquired the spec script “Sunflower,” a taught thriller currently out to directors that the Company will co-produce with Vincent Newman Entertainment.
Recently SKE has forged a formal alliance with Nick Meyer’s newly formed company, Sierra Pictures, which will handle all foreign sales and servicing of future SKE titles.
Selected filmography
- Neverwas (2005) (producer)
- The Emperor's Club (2002) (executive producer)
- The Perfect You (2002) (executive producer)
- Strut! (2001) (executive producer)
- Town & Country (2001) (executive producer)
- Famous (2000) (executive producer)
- Curtain Call (1999) (executive producer)
- Separation Anxiety (1997) (executive producer)
- Mother (1996/I) (executive producer) (as Sydney Kimmel)
- The Night We Never Met (1993) (executive producer)
- Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986) (producer)
- The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986) (co-executive producer)
References
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0454004/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0454004/
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/movies/12kimm.html
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Sidney-Kimmel_NM4F.html
- ^ http://www.kimmel.org/About_Sidney_Kimmel13.html
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Sidney-Kimmel_NM4F.html
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Sidney-Kimmel_NM4F.html
External links
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