Sam Hoffman

History

Hoffman produces and periodically directs the CBS drama Madam Secretary. He is also developing, with producing partner Frances McDormand, an adaptation of Michael Pollan’s best-seller The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Hoffman created the web series Old Jews Telling Jokes, which has been viewed over 50 million times, released on DVD, and broadcast on the BBC. His book, based on the series, is now in its sixth printing and the off-Broadway play derived from the series currently tours throughout North America. Feature films he has produced include Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, John Carney’s Begin Again, and Richard Loncraine’s 5 Flights Up. Earlier in his career, Hoffman also assistant directed such acclaimed titles as The Royal Tenenbaums, School of Rock, Donnie Brasco, Dead Man Walking, and Groundhog Day.

Movies

Camp OrangeRay
This art drenched, music driven, Art-Rock-Doc follows the journey of artist/shaman Wendi Morrison; from a childhood in Hollywood, and a decade of headlining the Sunset Strip Rock Clubs, fronting her band: Mercury 5; Wendi walked away to the Forest.
Humor Me
Producer
With an interminable case of writer's block and a personal family crisis, playwright Nate is forced to move into his father's retirement community.
Humor Me
Writer
With an interminable case of writer's block and a personal family crisis, playwright Nate is forced to move into his father's retirement community.
Humor Me
Director
With an interminable case of writer's block and a personal family crisis, playwright Nate is forced to move into his father's retirement community.
Begin Again
Unit Production Manager
Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.
Begin Again
Executive Producer
Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.
Moonrise Kingdom
Executive Producer
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle.
The Oranges
Executive Producer
A man's affair with his friend's much-younger daughter throws two neighboring families into turmoil.
Hanna
First Assistant Director
Raised by her father, an ex-CIA agent, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna's upbringing has been geared to making her the perfect assassin. Sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys across Europe, eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative. As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence.
Tenderness
Unit Production Manager
Russell Crowe stars as Detective Cristofuoro, a semi-retired police officer who is trying to unravel the past to discover whether a violent teenager, Eric Poole (Jon Foster), was responsible for the murder of his family. Sophie Traub co-stars as Lori, the teenage runaway who falls under Eric's spell. Based on the novel by Robert Cormier.
Tenderness
Co-Producer
Russell Crowe stars as Detective Cristofuoro, a semi-retired police officer who is trying to unravel the past to discover whether a violent teenager, Eric Poole (Jon Foster), was responsible for the murder of his family. Sophie Traub co-stars as Lori, the teenage runaway who falls under Eric's spell. Based on the novel by Robert Cormier.
Wedding Daze
Producer
After losing the woman of his dreams, Anderson is convinced he'll never fall in love again. But at the urging of his best friend, he spontaneously proposes to a dissatisfied waitress named Katie and an innocent dare evolves into the kind of love that both have been looking for all along.
The Producers
First Assistant Director
After putting together another Broadway flop, down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock teams up with timid accountant Leo Bloom in a get-rich-quick scheme to put on the world's worst show.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
First Assistant Director
Renowned oceanographer Steve Zissou has sworn vengeance upon the rare shark that devoured a member of his crew. In addition to his regular team, he is joined on his boat by Ned, a man who believes Zissou to be his father, and Jane, a journalist pregnant by a married man. They travel the sea, all too often running into pirates and, perhaps more traumatically, various figures from Zissou's past, including his estranged wife, Eleanor.
The Royal Tenenbaums
Paramedic
Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father's fault. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the story of the family's sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.
The Royal Tenenbaums
First Assistant Director
Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father's fault. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the story of the family's sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
First Assistant Director
CW Briggs is a veteran insurance investigator, with many successes. Betty Ann Fitzgerald is a new employee in the company he works for, with the task of reorganizing the office. They don't like each other - or at least that's what they think. During a night out with the rest of the office employees, they go to watch Voltan, a magician who secretly hypnotizes both of them.
The Object of My Affection
First Assistant Director
A pregnant New York social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing boyfriend.
Sleepers
Second Assistant Director
Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.
Dead Man Walking
Second Assistant Director
A death row inmate turns for spiritual guidance to a local nun in the days leading up to his scheduled execution for the murders of a young couple.
Strange Days
Second Second Assistant Director
In the last days of 1999, ex-cop turned street hustler Lenny Nero receives a disc which contains the memories of the murder of a prostitute. With the help of bodyguard Mace, he starts to investigate and is pulled deeper and deeper in a whirl of murder, blackmail and intrigue. Can the pair live to see the new millennium?
Carlito's Way
Assistant Director
A Puerto-Rican ex-con, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him, and lead a better life outside NYC.
Groundhog Day
Assistant Director
A narcissistic TV weatherman, along with his attractive-but-distant producer, and his mawkish cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over.
True Colors
B.J.
Two law school friends find themselves at odds when one becomes a Justice Department lawyer and the other goes into politics.