Lauren Shuler Donner

Birthday: 23 June 1949, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Birth Name: Lauren Diane Shuler

Lauren Shuler Donner has, in the past three decades, established herself as one of the most successful and versatile producers in Hollywood. To date, her films have grossed close to $3 billion worldwi ...Show More

Lauren Shuler Donner has, in the past three decades, established herself as one of the most successful and versatile producers in Hollywood. To date, her films have grossed close to $3 billion worldwide. In 2008, Shuler Donner enjoyed a particularly prolific year. "X Men Origins: Wolverine" starring Hugh Jackman, was the fourth chapter in the successful "X Men" film franchise. The film grossed nearly $400 million worldwide. "The Secret Life of Bees," for Fox Searchlight, was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo and Paul Bettany. This film won multiple People's Choice awards - "Favorite film" among them. It also won Best Picture from the NAACP Image Awards. Hotel for Dogs" for Dreamworks/Paramount opened in January of 2009. As a dog lover, Lauren is especially proud of this film's message to rescue pets from shelters whenever possible. In 2000, Shuler Donner began a new franchise with "X Men" and followed up in 2003 with "X2". The second film was released by Fox and broke box office records with an opening weekend total of $86 million dollars nationwide. Not only did the film gross $406 million dollars internationally, it is also the only sequel of 2003 to receive critical acclaim as well. "X Men: The Last Stand" was released in May, 2006 and a month later it was on its way to the half billion dollar mark worldwide. Shuler Donner was bound for success from the beginning, as the first feature film she produced was the smash hit comedy, "Mr. Mom," one of the top ten grossing films the year. She then went on to produce "Ladyhawke" starring Matthew Broderick, Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer and "St. Elmo's Fire" and "Pretty in Pink," both of which garnered platinum records for their soundtracks. In the early '90s, Shuler Donner produced the box office smash hits "Dave" and "Free Willy," two of the top ten films of 1993. The critically acclaimed "Dave" was nominated for both an Academy Award® (Best Original Screenplay) and a Golden Globe (Best Picture-Comedy). She went on to produce "You've Got Mail," "Any Given Sunday," "Radio Flyer," "3 Fugitives" and the sequel to "Free Willy." As head of The Donners' Company, she has executive-produced "Volcano," "Bulworth," "Just Married" and "Semi-Pro". Shuler Donner's other recent productions include "Timeline" with Paul Walker and Gerard Butler, "Constantine" with Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz, and "She's The Man" with Amanda Bynes. In October 2008, both Shuler Donner and her husband Richard Donner were awarded Stars next to each other on Hollywood Blvd Walk o f Fame. They were also awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Ojai film Festival in November of 2008. She has been recognized for her body of work in 2001 by Premiere magazine with the Producer Icon Award, and was recognized by Daily Variety with a Billion Dollar Producer special issue. In June 2006, she received the prestigious Crystal Award from Women in Film. She and husband, Richard Donner were honored by The American Cancer Society in June of 2006, and by Lupus L.A. in 2008. Shuler Donner is a dedicated philanthropist who thrives on giving back to the community. She was on the board of directors for Hollygrove Children's Home until it merged with EMQ in 2006. She has been on the advisory board of Women in Film, the advisory boards of TreePeople and Planned Parenthood and the executive committee of the Producer's Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is serving currently on the advisory board of the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the advisory board of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the board of directors for the Producers Guild of America. Hide