James L. Brooks

James Lawrence Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and co-founder of Gracie Films. He is best known for his work in television and film, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi, The Simpsons, Broadcast News, As Good as It Gets, and Terms of Endearment. Brooks grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, and developed a passion for reading and writing during his fractured family life. After dropping out of New York University, he began his career as an usher at CBS and eventually became a writer for CBS News. He moved to Los Angeles in 1965 and worked on documentaries before finding success as a writer and creator of television shows, including Room 222 and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.