Tim O’Donnell is an American director and producer known for his unique style of filmmaking. He is best known for his feature films, “The Man in the Moon” (1991), “The Dark Half” (1993), and “The River Wild” (1994).
Tim was born on October 23, 1954 in Burbank, California. His father, Bill O'Donnell, was a stuntman and film editor; his mother, Mary, was a homemaker. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1972 and attended the University of Southern California, where he earned degrees in Cinematic Arts and Television Production.
Tim began his career as a director in television, directing episodes of the series “The Equalizer” (1985–89), “Hunter” (1986–89), and “The Outsiders” (1987–90). In 1991, he directed his first feature film, “The Man in the Moon”, starring Reese Witherspoon and Sam Waterston. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
In 1993, he directed “The Dark Half”, based on the Stephen King novel. The film was critically acclaimed and earned O’Donnell his second Academy Award nomination. In 1994, he directed “The River Wild”, starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon. The film was another critical and commercial success, earning O’Donnell his third Academy Award nomination.
In the years since, O’Donnell has directed a number of television projects, including episodes of “The X-Files” (1993–2002), “Alias” (2001–06), and “Lost” (2004–2010). In addition to his directing work, he has also served as an executive producer on “Alias” and “Lost”.
Tim O’Donnell is one of the most successful directors of his generation. He has earned three Academy Award nominations for his work and is known for his ability to bring stories to life on the big screen. He continues to be a major force in the television and film industries, both as a director and producer.
