Jim Kouf

Writer/Director/Producer

Jim Kouf’s first feature films, co-written with David Greenwalt, were “CLASS” (83), “AMERICAN DREAMER” (84), and “SECRET ADMIRER” (86). He also wrote “THE HIDDEN” (87) under the pseudonym Bob Hunt. In 1984, Jim made his directorial debut with “MIRACLES” starring Tom Conti, Teri Garr and Christopher Lloyd.

In 1985, he moved to the Disney lot where he began a partnership with Lynn Bigelow to form Kouf/Bigelow Productions. During that time, Jim wrote and produced “STAKEOUT” (87) and “ANOTHER STAKEOUT” (93). He also wrote and directed “DISORGANIZED CRIME” (89) and co-wrote “OPERATION DUMBO DROP” (94).

Kouf/Bigelow Productions executive produced “KALIFORNIA” for Propaganda starring Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis, “SILENT FALL” for Morgan Creek/Warner Brothers starring Richard Dreyfuss and Liv Tyler and directed by Bruce Beresford, and “CONAIR” for Touchstone staring Nicolas Cage.

Jim wrote and directed “GANG RELATED” starring Jim Belushi, Tupac Shakur, Dennis Quaid, Lela Rochon and James Earl Jones for Orion Pictures and MGM, released in 97.

Jim co-wrote “RUSH HOUR” starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker for New Line in 1998, SNOW DOGS starring Cuba Gooding and James Coburn in 2002, and TAXI staring Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon in 2004.

He has also worked in television, producing and writing for ANGEL (WB) and THE HANDLER (CBS).

His last release was NATIONAL TREASURE (DISNEY) starring Nicolas Cage, directed by Jon Turteltaub and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. NATIONAL TREASURE 2, which is based on his characters, was released late fall 2007.

He just adapted the Donald Westlake novel MONEY FOR NOTHING for Cherry Road Films which is now in pre-production. Another film, THE FIFTY, is in pre-production with Dean Devlin, Jim Kouf, James Scura and Paul Bernard Producing.

Jim has also Executive Produced and written for the CBS TOUCHSTONE/DISNEY series GHOST WHISPERER, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, during its first two seasons.

Jim has just completed filming the independent feature A FORK IN THE ROAD in Montana, which he co-wrote, co-produced and directed.