Frank Marshall Bio
Frank Wilton Marshall (born September 13, 1946) is an American film producer and director. He often collaborated with his wife, film producer Kathleen Kennedy, with whom he founded the production company Amblin Entertainment alongside Steven Spielberg. In 1991, he co-founded The Kennedy/Marshall Company with Kennedy, which has produced numerous successful films. Since May 2012, after Kennedy became President of Lucasfilm, Marshall has been the sole principal of Kennedy/Marshall. He has worked with prominent directors such as Steven Spielberg, Paul Greengrass, and M. Night Shyamalan, and has produced various successful film franchises, including Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park.
Early Life and Background
Frank Marshall was born in Glendale, California, and spent his early years in Van Nuys. His family later moved to Newport Beach, where he attended Newport Harbor High School. During high school, he was active in music, drama, cross country, and track. In 1964, he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as an engineering major, but graduated in 1968 with a degree in Political Science. While at UCLA, he was involved in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and played collegiate soccer.
Path to Hollywood
In 1966, Frank Marshall met film director Peter Bogdanovich at a birthday party for the daughter of director John Ford, a friend of his father. This meeting led to Marshall volunteering on Bogdanovich’s first film, Targets (1968), marking the beginning of his career in film production. After graduating, he worked various jobs in Aspen and Marina del Rey, including as a waiter and guitar player. In 1970, he received a call from Bogdanovich offering him a position on The Last Picture Show (1971), where he worked as a location manager and actor. Under Bogdanovich’s mentorship, Marshall advanced from a producer’s assistant to associate producer on several films.
Frank Marshall Career
Early Career (1968–1980)
Marshall’s first executive producer credit came in 1979 with Walter Hill’s cult classic The Warriors. He gained further recognition as a producer on George Lucas and Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). In 1981, he co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg, which became one of the industry’s most successful production companies. Marshall received five Academy Award nominations for Best Picture for films including The Color Purple (1985) and The Sixth Sense (1999).
Breakthrough (1990–Present)
Frank Marshall made his directorial debut with the thriller Arachnophobia (1990), starring Jeff Daniels. In 1991, he and Kennedy established The Kennedy/Marshall Company, producing films such as Alive (1993) and Congo (1995). His work has included directing documentaries like The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020) and Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story (2022). In 2023, he produced Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Good Night, Oscar, starring Sean Hayes. Upcoming projects include The Beach Boys documentary for Disney+ and Twisters for Universal Pictures in 2025.
Notable Works and Milestones
Frank Marshall is known for his significant contributions to the film industry, producing iconic franchises like Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. He has received numerous accolades, including the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award and the David O. Selznick Achievement Award.
Frank Marshall Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Frank Marshall has received five Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, highlighting his impact on the film industry.
Frank Marshall Awards Won
Frank Marshall has received several prestigious awards, including an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, making him one of the few individuals to achieve this honor.
Frank Marshall Family
Frank Marshall is married to Kathleen Kennedy, a prominent film producer, since 1987. They have two sons together.
Personal Life
In addition to his film career, Frank Marshall has been involved in various philanthropic efforts. He served on the board of directors for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and received the Olympic Shield in 2005. He enjoys magic and music, performing under the names “Dr. Fantasy” and “DJ Master Frank.” Marshall is also a long-distance runner and co-founded the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series.
