Jon Avnet
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1949-11-17
    • Born Place: Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Also Known As:

    Jonathan Michael Avnet, 존 애브넷, 존 아브넷

Jon Avnet

Jonathan Michael "Jon" Avnet, born on November 17, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American director, writer, and producer known for a diverse body of work in film, television, and Broadway. He attended Great Neck North High School in New York, then the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and earned a B.A. in film and theater arts from Sarah Lawrence College in 1971, followed by an MFA from the American Film Institute.Avnet began his career in the entertainment industry directing off-Broadway theater productions. His early success in film came as a producer, notably co-founding Tisch/Avnet Productions with Steve Tisch in 1977. This partnership led to films like "Risky Business" (1983), which helped launch Tom Cruise's career, and the television film "The Burning Bed" (1984), starring Farrah Fawcett.He made his feature film directorial debut with the acclaimed "Fried Green Tomatoes" (1991), which he also produced and co-wrote (uncredited). His directorial credits also include "The War" (1994), "Up Close & Personal" (1996), "Red Corner" (1997), "88 Minutes" (2007), "Righteous Kill" (2008), "Three Christs" (2017), and the recently released "The Last Rodeo" (2025). As a producer, his notable works include "The Mighty Ducks" trilogy, "George of the Jungle" (1997), "Inspector Gadget" (1999), and "Black Swan" (2010).Avnet has been married to artist Barbara Brody since 1975, and they have three children: Alexandra, Jacob, and Lily. He has also established several production companies throughout his career, including The Jon Avnet Company and Brooklyn Films. Beyond filmmaking, Avnet is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at the American Film Institute. His extensive work has earned him numerous accolades, including Oscar nominations, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globe nominations.

Person History