John Wells is one of the most prolific writers, directors and producers for the stage, television and film. Over the past two decades, Wells has been a creative force behind some of primetime’s biggest hit series, including “ER,” “The West Wing,” “Third Watch,” and “China Beach”. He is currently the Executive Producer of the hit NBC crime drama, “Southland.”
Shows produced by John Wells have received an astounding 262 Emmy nominations with 55 Emmy wins, as well as 5 Peabody Awards, numerous People's Choice Awards, Producers Guild Awards, a Humanitas Prize (nominated 7 times), not to mention numerous distinctions from health care organizations across the country for “ER.” During its fifteen year run, “ER” earned 122 Emmy nominations, the most in television history.
A seven-time Writers Guild Award nominee, in 2007, Wells received the WGA’s Paddy Chayefsky Television Laurel Award given to writers who have advanced the literature of television and made outstanding contributions to the profession of television writers. In 2005, Wells was awarded the David Susskind Achievement Award in Television from the Producers Guild of America. In September 2009, Wells was once again elected President of the Writers Guild of America, West. Wells had previously served as President of the Writers Guild of America, West (1999-2001) and was vital to the success of the 2001 MBA contract negotiations. Wells and his production and development team at John Wells Productions have a number of high-profile films in various stages of production and development.
As a producer, Wells' most recent motion-picture credits include: Carroll Ballard's acclaimed drama “Duma”, a children's film starring Hope Davis and Campbell Scott; Peter Kosminsky's adaptation of Janet Fitch's critically acclaimed novel “White Oleander,” starring Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Renée Zellweger; and Neil Jordan's “The Good Thief,” starring Nick Nolte. Wells served as a producer on Andrzej Bartkowiak's “Doom,” based upon the popular video game and starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
In an arrangement unique to the business, John Wells Productions also funds Killer Films, the independent operation of Christine Vachon, Pam Koffler and Katie Roumel. For Killer Films, Wells executive-produced Todd Haynes' “Far From Heaven,” Mark Romanek's “One Hour Photo,” Todd Graff's Camp, Fenton Bailey's “Party Monster,” Robert Altman's “The Company,” Michael Mayer's “A Home at the End of the World,” John Waters' “A Dirty Shame,” Mary Harron's “The Notorious Bettie Page,” Phyllis Nagy's “Mrs. Harris,” Todd Haynes' “I'm Not There,” Tom Kalin's “Savage Grace,” and Douglas McGrath's “Infamous.”
As a TV producer, Wells’ diverse projects include series “SMITH,” “The Evidence” and “Jonny Zero,” as well as made-for-TV movies “Mrs. Harris” (2005), “Dark Shadows” (2004), and “The Big Time” (2002). Wells’ award-winning stage productions include “Judgement,” “Balm in Gilead,” “Battery,” and “She Also Dances.”
Born in Alexandria, Virginia, and raised in Denver, Colorado, Wells graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a bachelor of fine arts and later earned a Masters degree in film and television at the University of Southern California, where he also serves on the school’s Television Executive Advisory Council.
The Weinstein Company
