Chris Weitz: Biography

Since their career breakout as the screenwriters of the blockbuster computer-animation hit Antz (1998), brothers Chris and Paul Weitz have shot to the Hollywood A-list as the writers and directors of the film that single-handedly revitalized the teen-sex comedy genre: American Pie (1999). Despite their mainstream success, the Weitz brothers have also accomplished the rare feat of keeping one foot in the indie world while simultaneously becoming the toast of Tinseltown with such efforts as the self-proclaimed "stalker-dramedy" Chuck & Buck (2000). Born into a solid Hollywood bloodline as the son of actress Susan Kohner and popular '60s fashion designer John Weitz, as well as the nephew of producer Pancho Kohner, Chris Weitz fell into working with his brother Paul by happy coincidence. Following his graduation from Connecticut's Wesleyan with a degree in film, Chris earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in English from Cambridge University. Initially pursuing a career in journalism, Chris applied for a position in the diplomatic corps. It was during the standard one-year waiting period to join that a lucrative writing partnership with brother Paul was forged, a fateful collaboration that the brothers claim saved them from their mutually unemployable status. Though their writing credit for the children's fantasy Madeline (1998) was dropped after re-writes left few of their contributions into the final product, the release of Antz provided the brothers with the success they needed to get their career off to a solid start. With its witty contemplations on the value of individuality and appeal to children as well as adults, Antz's success was widespread, though it was no indicator of the substance of the film that would be their defining success, American Pie (1999). A cheerfully raunchy comedy with a decidedly warm undercurrent, American Pie was a throwback to the carefree teen-sex exploits of the Porky's (1981) days of yore that flew in the face of the more conservative sexual mores of modern society. Though nobody expected American Pie to be the breakout hit that it was, its surprise success spawned not only a sequel, but also a slew of clones attempting to ride its tidal wave of success. With his role in the dark comedy Chuck & Buck the following year, Chris Weitz was not only the object of obsession for a childhood friend unable to let go of the past, but also the darling of the indie circuit as well. After directing Chris Rock in the Heaven Can Wait remake Down to Earth in 2001, Chris served as writer and director (of course with brother Paul) for the warm Hugh Grant comedy About a Boy (2002). The duo next teamed for the eagerly anticipated sequel to the 2000 comedy hit Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers (2003). In addition to their cinematic success, the Weitz brothers forged on toward conquering the small screen with their role as executive producers of the television sitcom Off Centre in 2001. A sort of Odd Couple for the millennial generation, the humorously risqué sitcom told the tale of two roommates and their constant efforts to balance their polarized lifestyles. And though their father's one-time wish for them to fill a vacant writing position on the Merchant and Ivory team may have never quite come to fruition, the brothers seemed to have had no problems in finding continued success on their own terms. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide