Bradford Simpson Bio
Bradford Simpson is an American film and television producer and a partner at the Los Angeles-based film studio Color Force. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Brown University before building a career that spans independent film, major studio productions, and prestige television. Simpson began his career at Killer Films, where he co-produced several notable films, and has since become a prominent figure in the industry, winning multiple awards for his work.
Over the years, Simpson has produced a wide range of projects, from independent dramas to large-scale franchise films and limited television series. He is widely recognized for his partnership with producer Nina Jacobson at Color Force and for his contributions to the American Crime Story anthology.
Early Life and Background
Bradford Simpson grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he spent his formative years before pursuing higher education. He later attended Brown University, graduating with a degree that helped lay the groundwork for his entry into the entertainment industry. His Southern upbringing and rigorous academic training shaped his early interest in storytelling and film production.
During his time at Brown, Simpson developed an appreciation for independent cinema and the creative processes behind filmmaking. This foundation encouraged him to seek opportunities in production soon after completing his studies, setting the stage for a career in Hollywood.
Path to Producer
Simpson began his career at Killer Films, the New York-based production company known for its work with director Todd Haynes and other notable filmmakers. At Killer Films, he served as an executive and a producer, co-producing films such as Far from Heaven, Party Monster, and A Home at the End of the World. He also worked as an associate producer on Boys Don’t Cry and Camp, and was involved with independent projects including Velvet Goldmine, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Happiness, and One Hour Photo.
From 2004 to 2007, Simpson served as President of Appian Way Productions, the Warner Bros.-based production company founded by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. In this leadership role, he oversaw development and production for a slate of feature films. In 2012, he joined Color Force as a partner alongside Nina Jacobson, and later that year the duo signed a first-look deal with FX Productions for original programming.
Bradford Simpson Career
Early Career (2000s)
Simpson’s early career was defined by his work at Killer Films, where he gained hands-on experience across a variety of independent productions. His contributions to acclaimed films helped him develop a reputation for working with visionary directors and handling complex projects. These formative years provided the industry knowledge and relationships that would support his later transition to larger productions.
During this period, Simpson also produced the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise alongside Nina Jacobson, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. He later executive produced Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher in 2011 and World War Z in 2013, demonstrating his ability to move between intimate independent films and large-scale studio features.
Breakthrough (2016–2019)
Simpson’s breakthrough came in 2016 with FX’s The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, the first installment of the American Crime Story anthology. Produced by Color Force, the series was a critical and awards-season success. Simpson won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for his work on the series, along with a BAFTA, a Critics’ Choice award, a TCA award, and a Producers Guild of America award.
In 2016, FX Productions signed Simpson and Jacobson to an exclusive production deal for original programming, cementing their status as key creative partners. In 2018, Simpson produced the second American Crime Story series, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, for which he received an Emmy award, a Golden Globe award, a Critics’ Choice award, a TCA award, and a Producers Guild award. That same year, he served as an executive producer on the FX series Pose.
Simpson continued to expand his film slate alongside Jacobson, producing Crazy Rich Asians and Ben Is Back in 2018. In 2019, he executive produced Richard Linklater’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette, followed by The Goldfinch, an adaptation of Donna Tartt’s novel of the same name. He also served as one of the executive producers on the television adaptation of Y: The Last Man for FX.
Notable Works and Milestones
Simpson’s signature work includes the American Crime Story anthology, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, and films such as Crazy Rich Asians, The Goldfinch, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette. His awards wins include multiple Emmys, Golden Globes, and guild honors tied directly to these projects.
Bradford Simpson Award Nominations
Bradford Simpson has received recognition from major awards bodies across film and television throughout his career. His nominations reflect his range as a producer, spanning limited series, independent films, and large-scale studio productions.
Bradford Simpson Awards Won
Bradford Simpson has won multiple prestigious awards for his work as a producer. In 2016, he won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, along with a BAFTA, a Critics’ Choice award, a TCA award, and a Producers Guild of America award. For The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, he received an Emmy award, a Golden Globe award, a Critics’ Choice award, a TCA award, and a Producers Guild award.
Bradford Simpson Family
Public information about Bradford Simpson’s family background is limited. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and pursued his education at Brown University before entering the entertainment industry.
