Brett Morgen is an American film director, producer, and writer best known for his documentary films. He was born in 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in the city’s North Shore suburbs. He attended Northwestern University, where he studied film and television production.
Morgen made his feature film directorial debut in 2000 with the documentary On the Ropes, which followed the lives of three amateur boxers in Brooklyn. The film was well-received and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
In 2005, Morgen directed The Kid Stays in the Picture, which chronicled the life and career of Hollywood producer Robert Evans. The film was a critical and commercial success, and earned Morgen an Emmy nomination. He followed that up with the 2006 documentary Chicago 10, which centered on the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
In 2008, Morgen directed Crossfire Hurricane, a documentary about the Rolling Stones that was released to coincide with the band’s 50th anniversary. The film was widely praised for its unique visual style and earned Morgen a Grammy nomination for Best Music Film.
In 2010, Morgen co-directed The Tillman Story, a documentary about former NFL player Pat Tillman, who left his football career to join the military and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. The film won numerous awards and was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 2012, Morgen directed Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, an authorized documentary about the late Nirvana frontman. The film was critically acclaimed and won a Primetime Emmy Award.
Most recently, Morgen directed Jane, a documentary about primatologist Jane Goodall which was released in 2017. The film was praised for its intimate portrait of Goodall’s life and work.
Morgen is currently working on a documentary about the life and career of former President Barack Obama. He is also developing a film about the life of musician David Byrne.
Throughout his career, Morgen has established himself as one of the most innovative documentary filmmakers working today. His films have earned numerous awards and critical acclaim, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
