J.J. Abrams

Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, J.J. Abrams attended Sarah Lawrence College where, during his senior year, he teamed with a friend to write a feature film treatment. Purchased by Touchstone Pictures, the treatment was the basis for "Taking Care of Business," Abrams' first produced film, which starred Charles Grodin and Jim Belushi.

He followed that up with "Regarding Henry," starring Harrison Ford, and "Forever Young," starring Mel Gibson, then collaborated with producer Jerry Buckheimer and director Michael Bay on the summer 1998 blockbuster "Armageddon." In 2001, Abrams co-wrote and produced the film "Joy Ride."

In 1998, he made his first foray into television with "Felicity," which ran for four seasons on The WB, serving as the show's co-creator (with Matt Reeves) and executive producer. Under his production company, Bad Robot, Abrams created and executive-produced "Alias," and is co-creator (with Damon Lindelof) and executive producer of "Lost."

He is also executive producer of "What About Brian" and "Six Degrees," both for ABC. In 2005, Abrams received Emmys for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for the "Lost" pilot, as well as Outstanding Drama Series for "Lost." He is also an Emmy nominee for his "Alias" pilot script and his "Lost" pilot script (co-written with Lindelof), and won a Golden Globe Award for Outstanding Drama Series for "Lost." In addition to writing and directing, Abrams composed the theme music for "Alias" and
co-wrote the theme song for "Felicity."

On May 5, 2006, Abrams made his feature directorial debut with "Mission: Impossible 3," starring Tom Cruise. ~ Abc Medianet