Joe Roth

Joseph Emanuel Roth[1] is an American film executive, producer and director. He co-founded Morgan Creek Productions in 1988 and was chairman of 20th Century Fox (1989–1993), Caravan Pictures (1993–1994), and Walt Disney Studios (1994–2000) before founding Revolution Studios in 2000, then Roth Films.

This article is about the film executive. For the American college football quarterback, see Joe Roth (American football).

Joe Roth
Roth in December 2016
Born
Joseph Emanuel Roth

New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationFilm director, chairman of 20th Century Fox (1989–1993) and Walt Disney Studios (1994–2000)
Years active1974–present
Spouse(s)
Donna Arkoff
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 2004)​

Irene Oh
​
​
(m. 2006)​
Children3

Early life

Roth was born to Frances and Lawrence Roth.[2] He's stated that his family, whose Jewish, faced various forms of harassment growing up in a heavily Catholic part of Long Island, New York. This involved incidents like "a cross being burned on the lawn and some of Roth's schoolmates crossed themselves before they would speak to him."[3] In 1959, Roth's father volunteered his son to be a plaintiff in the ACLU's effort to abolish mandatory prayer in public schools. The case, filed in New York, went through several appeals, finally reaching the U.S. Supreme Court in 1962. The Court ruled that such prayer was unconstitutional under the First Amendment, in the landmark case of Engel v. Vitale.[4]

Roth attended Boston University, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in communication.[1]

Career

Over the course of his career, he has produced over 40 films, and has directed six to date, including 1990's Coupe de Ville, 2001's America's Sweethearts and 2006's Freedomland.

In 1988 by Roth and James Robinson co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment.[5] The name came from Roth's favorite film, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek.[6] The company had box-office hits including Young Guns and Major League.

In 1992, he co-founded Caravan Pictures with Roger Birnbaum, which had a production deal with The Walt Disney Studios. Roth moved on to be Disney studio chief on August 24, 1994.[7] Disney CEO Michael Eisner was so set on replacing Jeffrey Katzenberg as Disney studio chief with Roth that he forgave the $15 million cost overrun debt for I Love Trouble and paid Roth $40 million of fees for 21 unproduced films under the deal.[8]

Roth, who was ranked 6th in Premiere Magazine's 2003 Hollywood Power List, produced the 76th annual Academy Awards. Roth announced that in October 2007, when Revolution's distribution deal with Sony Pictures ended, Revolution Studios would close and he joined Sony as a producer.

On November 13, 2007, Roth was introduced as the majority owner of a Seattle, Washington–based Major League Soccer franchise along with Paul Allen. Seattle Sounders FC—which calls CenturyLink Field home—began regular season play in 2009. On November 12, 2015, Roth passed on majority ownership to Adrian Hanauer.

Personal life

Roth was married to Donna Arkoff whose father was movie producer Samuel Z. Arkoff.[9] They have three children. They resided in the Dolores del Río House, designed by architect Douglas Honnold for Irish production designer Cedric Gibbons and Mexican actress Dolores del Río in 1929 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California.[10]

Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Producer

Executive producer


Co-producer


Director


Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role Notes
1974The ConversationProduction assistant
Uncredited
1988Young GunsPresenter
Dead Ringers
1990The Exorcist III
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes
1976Tunnel VisionPlayer-Announcer
1977Cracking UpMan
Uncredited
Production manager
Year Film Role Notes
1998ArmageddonExecutive in charge of production
Uncredited
Thanks
Year Film Notes
1995Dead PresidentsSpecial thanks
2002Punch-Drunk Love
Gangs of New York
2009BandslamThanks

Television
Year Title Credit Notes
200476th Academy AwardsTelevision special
2007DemonsExecutive producerTelevision film
2011Drew Carey's Improv-A-GanzaExecutive producer
2010−12Are We There Yet?Executive producer
2012−14Anger ManagementExecutive producer
2019This is FootballExecutive producerDocumentary
TBA
The Plot Against AmericaExecutive producer
Panic
Thanks
Year Title Role Notes
1990American MastersSpecial thanksDocumentary

References
  1. "B.U. Bridge". October 27, 2003.
  2. New York Civil Liberties Union: "Obituary: Steven Engel, Plaintiff in Landmark School Prayer Case" February 6, 2008
  3. Masters, Kim (November 14, 2013). "Joe Roth's 'Third Act': From 'Gigli' to Billion-Dollar Producer and Pro Soccer Superstar". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  4. Hammer, Joshua. "The Sly Dog at Fox". Newsweek, May 25, 1992.
  5. Masters, Kim (November 14, 2013). "Joe Roth's 'Third Act': From 'Gigli' to Billion-Dollar Producer and Pro Soccer Superstar". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  6. Harmetz, Aljean (April 25, 1989). "Producer Defies Rules, and Succeeds". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  7. "Seasoned Performer Takes Lead Studio Role". Orlando Sentinel. Los Angeles Times. August 28, 1994. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  8. Masters, Kim (November 14, 2013). "Joe Roth's 'Third Act': From 'Gigli' to Billion-Dollar Producer and Pro Soccer Superstar". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  9. New York Times: "Samuel Z. Arkoff, Maker of Drive-In Thrillers, Dies at 83" By ALJEAN HARMETZ September 19, 2001
  10. Brown, Patricia Leigh (February 29, 2008). "A Moderne Masterpiece Revived". Architectural Digest. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
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