James Hanlon is an American director, producer, and writer best known for his work on the popular HBO series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1956, Hanlon grew up in a small Irish-American family and was inspired to become a filmmaker after watching classic movies with his father.
Hanlon attended Fordham University, majoring in English and Theatre. He began his career in the film industry working as a production assistant and later a director of commercials. His first big break came when he was hired to direct the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, which was a major success and earned him an Emmy Award nomination.
In 2004, Hanlon directed the critically acclaimed feature film Miracle, starring Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, and Noah Emmerich. The film tells the inspiring true story of the United States' hockey team's unexpected victory over the heavily favored Soviet Union team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Miracle earned Hanlon a Directors Guild of America Award nomination.
In 2010, Hanlon directed another HBO miniseries, The Pacific, which followed the experiences of the United States Marines during World War II. The Pacific was universally praised and earned Hanlon his second Emmy Award nomination.
Hanlon has since directed a number of feature films, including A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin; The Grey Fox, with Richard Dreyfuss and Bruce Greenwood; and the horror flick The Veil, starring Jessica Alba. In addition to filmmaking, Hanlon has taught directing at New York University and the American Film Institute.
Hanlon's directing style is marked by its realism and attention to detail. He is also noted for his commitment to telling stories from an American perspective, often focusing on historical events and characters from the United States. His work has been praised for its emotional depth and inspiring themes.
James Hanlon is an acclaimed director whose work has earned him two Emmy Award nominations. His emotionally powerful films have captivated audiences around the world and continue to inspire viewers to this day.
