Grant Heslov (born May 15, 1963) is an American actor , film producer , screenwriter and director , known for his producing and writing collaborations with George Clooney , which have earned him three Academy Award nominations. As a co-producer of Argo (2012), he received the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2013. As an actor, he has appeared in films including True Lies (1994), Black Sheep (1996), Enemy of the State (1998) and The Scorpion King (2002), as well as performing supporting roles in several films made with Clooney.
Heslov was born in Los Angeles California , and was raised in its Palos Verdes area. His father, Arthur, was a dentist and his mother, Kerrie (née Rosen), a businesswoman. He has two older brothers, Steven and Michael. His family is Jewish. He attended Palos Verdes High School, the University of Southern California (USC) along with friend (and future actor) Tate Donovan. He is a member of Phi Kappa Psi .
Heslov is married to Lysa Hayland-Heslov, a producer.
Heslov's acting credits include the films True Lies , Dante's Peak , Enemy of the State , The Scorpion King , Good Night and Good Luck , Congo , Black Sheep , and Catch Me If You Can . He has also appeared in such TV series as Happy Days , Family Ties , Mama's Family , L.A. Law , Matlock , Sleeper Cell and The X-Files .
In August 2006, Heslov and George Clooney started Smokehouse Pictures and began writing screenplays for production. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (with Clooney) and as producer for Best Film for Good Night, and Good Luck . Heslov also appears in the film as Don Hewitt , the director of the TV series See It Now , around which the movie is centered. He directed a screen adaptation of The Men Who Stare at Goats , starring Clooney, Ewan McGregor , Jeff Bridges , and Kevin Spacey and co-produced The American starring Clooney in 2012. He also worked on 2011's The Ides of March . In June 2012, he was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences .
In 2013, Heslov, alongside Clooney and Ben Affleck, won the Academy Award for Best Picture for Argo (2012). The three men also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama and the BAFTA Award for Best Film .
Producer
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Red Platoon (producer) (announced)
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Coronado High (producer) (pre-production)
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The Monster of Florence (producer) (pre-production)
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Untitled X's and O's (producer) (pre-production)
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Untitled Ohio State Scandal Project (Documentary) (executive producer) (filming)
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Wolfs (producer) (filming)
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Brother from Another (TV Series documentary) (executive producer) (post-production)
2023
How to Build a Truth Engine (Documentary) (executive producer) (post-production)
2023
The Boys in the Boat (producer) (completed)
2022
Ticket to Paradise (executive producer)
2021
The Tender Bar (producer - p.g.a.)
2020
The Art of Political Murder (Documentary) (executive producer)
2020
The Midnight Sky (producer - produced by, p.g.a.)
2020
Trial by Media (TV Series documentary) (executive producer - 6 episodes) - Blago! (2020) - (executive producer)
- Big Dan's (2020) - (executive producer)
- King Richard (2020) - (executive producer)
- 41 Shots (2020) - (executive producer)
- Subway Vigilante (2020) - (executive producer)
- Talk Show Murder (2020) - (executive producer)
2019
On Becoming a God in Central Florida (TV Series) (executive producer - 10 episodes) - Go Getters Gonna Go Getcha (2019) - (executive producer)
- Wham Bam Thank You FAM (2019) - (executive producer)
- Birthday Party (2019) - (executive producer)
- Flint Glass (2019) - (executive producer)
- American Merchandise (2019) - (executive producer)
- Many Masters (2019) - (executive producer)
- Manifest Destinee (2019) - (executive producer)
- A Positive Spin! (2019) - (executive producer)
- The Gloomy-Zoomies (2019) - (executive producer)
- The Stinker Thinker (2019) - (executive producer)
2019
Catch-22 (TV Mini Series) (executive producer - 6 episodes) - Episode #1.6 (2019) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.5 (2019) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.4 (2019) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.3 (2019) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.2 (2019) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.1 (2019) - (executive producer)
2017
Suburbicon (producer - produced by)
2016
Money Monster (producer)
2015
The Timeline (TV Series documentary) (executive producer - 1 episode) - America's Game and the Iran Hostage Crisis (2015) - (executive producer)
2015
Our Brand Is Crisis (producer)
2014
The Monuments Men (producer)
2013
August: Osage County (producer - produced by)
2012
Argo (producer - produced by)
2011
The Ides of March (producer)
2010
Memphis Beat (TV Series) (executive producer - 19 episodes) - The Feud (2011) - (executive producer)
- Ten Little Memphians (2011) - (executive producer)
- Identity Crisis (2011) - (executive producer)
- Body of Evidence (2011) - (executive producer)
- Troubled Water (2011) - (executive producer)
- The Things We Carry (2011) - (executive producer)
- Flesh and Blood (2011) - (executive producer)
- Lost (2011) - (executive producer)
- Inside Man (2011) - (executive producer)
- At the River (2011) - (executive producer)
- I Want to Be Free (2010) - (executive producer)
- I Shall Not Be Moved (2010) - (executive producer)
- Suspicious Minds (2010) - (executive producer)
- Run On (2010) - (executive producer)
- One Night of Sin (2010) - (executive producer)
- Polk Salad Annie (2010) - (executive producer)
- Love Her Tender (2010) - (executive producer)
- Baby, Let's Play House (2010) - (executive producer)
- It's All Right, Mama (2010) - (executive producer)
2010
The American (producer - produced by)
2009
The Men Who Stare at Goats (producer)
2009
Playground (Documentary) (executive producer)
2008
Tony (Short) (executive producer)
2008
Leatherheads (producer)
2005
Good Night, and Good Luck. (producer)
2005
Unscripted (TV Series) (executive producer - 10 episodes) - Episode #1.10 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.9 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.8 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.7 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.6 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.5 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.4 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.3 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.2 (2005) - (executive producer)
- Episode #1.1 (2005) - (executive producer)
2003
K Street (TV Series) (co-executive producer - 10 episodes) - Week 10 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 9 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 8 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 7 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 6 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 5 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 4 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 3 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 2 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
- Week 1 (2003) - (co-executive producer)
2003
Intolerable Cruelty (co-producer)
Actor
2019
Catch-22 (TV Mini Series) as
Doc Daneeka
- Episode #1.6 (2019) - Doc Daneeka
- Episode #1.4 (2019) - Doc Daneeka
- Episode #1.3 (2019) - Doc Daneeka
- Episode #1.1 (2019) - Doc Daneeka
2014
The Monuments Men as
Doctor
2012
Lost Angeles as
Film Producer
2008
Leatherheads as
Saul Keller
2007
To Each His Own Cinema (segment "World cinema")
2007
World Cinema (Short) as
Ticket seller
2005
Sleeper Cell (TV Series) as
Bobby Habib
- Al-Faitha (2005) - Bobby Habib
2005
American Dad! (TV Series) as
Man #2 / Announcer #4
- Stan of Arabia: Part 2 (2005) - Man #2 / Announcer #4 (voice)
2005
The Big Empty (Short) as
Doctor #4
2005
Good Night, and Good Luck. as
Don Hewitt
2004
Nobody's Perfect (Short)
2003
Life with Bonnie (TV Series) as
Todd
- Ding, Ding, Ding Went the Truth (2003) - Todd
2002
Justice League (TV Series) as
Doctor / Father
- Injustice for All (2002) - Doctor / Father (voice)
2002
The Scorpion King as
Arpid
2002
Bug as
Gordon - Guy in Bug Suit
2001
Yes, Dear (TV Series) as
Neil Goldman
- The Daddies Group (2001) - Neil Goldman
2000
It's a Shame About Ray (Short) as
Mr. Roy
2000
The X-Files (TV Series) as
Andre Bormanis
- Via Negativa (2000) - Andre Bormanis
2000
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV Series) as
Coroner Corbett
- Pledging Mr. Johnson (2000) - Coroner Corbett
2000
The Huntress (TV Series) as
Rasul
- Partners (2000) - Rasul
2000
Fail Safe (TV Movie) as
Jimmy
2000
Rocket Power (TV Series) as
Lance
- Big Air Dare/Otto's Big Break (2000) - Lance (voice)
1999
It's Like, You Know... (TV Series) as
Hilo Beckworthy
- The Sweet Smell of Success (1999) - Hilo Beckworthy
- The Conversation (1999) - Hilo Beckworthy
1999
Cupid (TV Series) as
Ken
- A Great Personality (1999) - Ken
1998
Enemy of the State as
Lenny
1998
Buddy Faro (TV Series) as
Max Bleamish III
- The Curse of the Faro (1998) - Max Bleamish III
1998
Waiting for Woody (Short) as
Josh Silver
1998
The Outer Limits (TV Series) as
Todd
- Josh (1998) - Todd
1997
Dead by Midnight (TV Movie) as
Detective Mackowitz
1996
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (TV Series) as
Klepto
- Monster Child in the Promised Land (1996) - Klepto
1996
The Birdcage as
Photographer
1996
Black Sheep as
Robbie Mieghem
1996
Touched by an Angel (TV Series) as
Gale Harper
- The One That Got Away (1996) - Gale Harper
1994
M.A.N.T.I.S. (TV Movie) as
TV Crew
1993
Seinfeld (TV Series) as
Car Thief
- The Smelly Car (1993) - Car Thief (uncredited)
1992
Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation (TV Movie) as
Mason
1992
Harry and the Hendersons (TV Series) as
Prince Fashir
- Moonlighting (1992) - Prince Fashir
1991
Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star (TV Movie) as
Lab Technician
1991
Father Dowling Mysteries (TV Series) as
Omar the Waiter
- The Mummy's Curse Mystery (1991) - Omar the Waiter
1990
Valerie (TV Series) as
The Director
- California Dreamin': Part 2 (1990) - The Director
- California Dreamin': Part 1 (1990) - The Director
1990
The Marshall Chronicles (TV Series) as
Mitchell
- Night of the Chopped Liver (1990) - Mitchell
1990
Baywatch (TV Series) as
Buddy T. Semple
- Home Cort (1990) - Buddy T. Semple
1989
21 Jump Street (TV Series) as
Elliot Masche / Caller
- Research and Destroy (1990) - Elliot Masche
- Next Victim (1989) - Caller (voice)
1990
Dragnet (TV Series) as
Chad Levitt
- Dead Samaritan (1990) - Chad Levitt
1989
Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) as
Bernard 'Bernie' Berndlestein
- Class Act (1989) - Bernard 'Bernie' Berndlestein
1989
Catch Me If You Can as
Nevil
1988
Dangerous Curves as
Wally Wilder
1988
Thirtysomething (TV Series) as
Roger
- Tenure (1988) - Roger
1987
Duet (TV Series) as
Clerk
- Funny Valentine (1988) - Clerk
- Liebestraum (1987) - Clerk
1987
Mama's Family (TV Series) as
T-Boy
- A Room with No View (1987) - T-Boy
1987
Matlock (TV Series) as
Lamont Turkel
- The Best Friend (1987) - Lamont Turkel
1987
Beverly Hills Buntz (TV Series) as
Jay Silver, Jr.
- Fit to Be Tied (1987) - Jay Silver, Jr.
1987
The Twilight Zone (TV Series) as
Binky Blaustein (segment "Time and Teresa Golowitz")
- Time and Teresa Golowitz/Voices in the Earth (1987) - Binky Blaustein (segment "Time and Teresa Golowitz")
1987
L.A. Law (TV Series) as
Andrew Putnam
- The Douglas Fur Ball (1987) - Andrew Putnam
- Prince Kuzak in a Can (1987) - Andrew Putnam
1986
The Facts of Life (TV Series) as
Jonathan Spencer
- The Reunion (1986) - Jonathan Spencer
1985
The Boys Next Door as
Joe Gonzales
1985
The Journey of Natty Gann as
Parker's Gang
1984
Spencer (TV Series) as
Wayne
- Grandpa the Lover (1985) - Wayne
- Wayne's Nose Job (1985) - Wayne
- Crazy Girl (1985) - Wayne
- Doris and the Tutor (1985) - Wayne
- Voices in the Hall (1985) - Wayne
- Millie's Affair (1985) - Wayne
- The Grandparents Move In (1985) - Wayne
- The Drive-In (1985) - Wayne
- The World's Worst Date (1984) - Wayne
- Fast Times (1984) - Wayne
- Spencer Joins the Army (1984) - Wayne
- The Divorcee (1984) - Wayne
- Pilot (1984) - Wayne
1984
Hardcastle and McCormick (TV Series) as
Dorvell
- Scared Stiff (1984) - Dorvell
1984
Happy Days (TV Series) as
Dennis Morton
- The People vs. the Fonz (1984) - Dennis Morton
1983
Family Ties (TV Series) as
Doug
- The Fifth Wheel (1983) - Doug
1982
Joanie Loves Chachi (TV Series) as
Mark
- Fonzie's Visit (1982) - Mark
Director
2023
Nespresso: The Bet (Short)
2022
Nespresso: Unforgettable Taste (Short)
2021
Nespresso: Made with Care (Short)
2019
Catch-22 (TV Mini Series) (2 episodes) - Episode #1.5 (2019)
- Episode #1.1 (2019)
2018
Cigna: Body and Mind - Nick Jonas (Short)
2018
Cigna: Body and Mind - Queen Latifah (Short)
2018
Cigna: Body and Mind - Ted Danson (Short)
2018
Nespresso: The Quest (Short)
2018
Cigna: TV Doctors of America - Emergency (Short)
2017
Nespresso: Comin' Home (Video short)
2017
Cigna: TV Doctors of America - Even More Drama (Short)
2016
Nespresso: Change Nothing (Video short)
2016
Cigna: TV Doctors of America (Short)
2015
Nespresso: Training Day (Video short)
2015
Nespresso: Epiphany (Video short)
2014
Nespresso: How Far? (Video short)
2013
Nespresso: In the Name of Pleasure (Video short)
2012
Nespresso: Like a Star (Video short)
2011
Nespresso: The Swap (Video short)
2010
Nespresso: Cab Driver (Video short)
2009
The Men Who Stare at Goats
2005
Unscripted (TV Series) (5 episodes) - Episode #1.10 (2005)
- Episode #1.9 (2005)
- Episode #1.8 (2005)
- Episode #1.7 (2005)
- Episode #1.6 (2005)
2002
Even Stevens (TV Series) (1 episode) - Model Principal (2002)
1998
Waiting for Woody (Short)
Writer
2017
Suburbicon (written by)
2014
The Monuments Men (screenplay)
2011
The Ides of March (screenplay by)
2008
Tony (Short) (written by)
2005
Good Night, and Good Luck. (written by)
1998
Waiting for Woody (Short) (writer)
Self
2019
The Cogs of War: The Making of Catch-22 (Video documentary) as
Self
2019
The One Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 16 May 2019 (2019) - Self
2019
Hollywood First Look (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.22 (2019) - Self
2018
Poker Night Live (TV Series) as
Self
- Industry Moguls Night (2018) - Self
2015
Etalk presents: Our Brand is Crisis (TV Special) as
Self
2014
In the Tracks Of (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Alexandre Desplat à notre portée (2014) - Self
2014
Charlie Rose (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode dated 6 February 2014 (2014) - Self - Guest
2014
Unscripted (TV Series) as
Self
- Monuments Men (2014) - Self
2013
The Hollywood Reporter Roundtables (TV Series) as
Self
- The Writers (2013) - Self
2013
Argo: Ben Affleck's Balancing Act (Video short) as
Self
2013
Argo: Declassified (Video short) as
Self
2013
Argo: The Istanbul Journey (Video short) as
Self
2013
La noche de los Oscar (TV Special) as
Self
2013
The Oscars (TV Special) as
Self - Winner
2013
Argo: Absolute Authenticity (Video short) as
Self
2013
Argo: The CIA and Hollywood Connection (Video short) as
Self
2013
70th Golden Globe Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Nominee
2013
18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards (TV Special) as
Self
2010
Moving Pictures Live! (TV Series) as
Self
- War Is Hell (2010) - Self
2009
Xposé (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.30 (2009) - Self
2006
2006 Independent Spirit Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Nominee
2006
The 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (TV Special) as
Self
2005
Unscripted (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.2 (2005) - Self
2002
'The Scorpion King': A Warriors Journey (Video documentary short) as
Self
1999
Kilroy (TV Movie) as
Self
Archive Footage
2019
Blind Rage (Video documentary short) as
Joe Gonzales (uncredited)
2012
1st AACTA Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Producer / Writer
2009
Live from Studio Five (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.73 (2009) - Self