Elie Samaha Biography

Biography: Elie Samaha, author

With the launch of a new film company and the continued success of another, Elie Samaha has quickly become one of the most prolific producers in Hollywood.

This year is proving to be another successful one for Elie whose newly formed production and distribution company, Franchise Pictures, is producing eight to ten films in the $15 - 65 million range each year. Franchise has a domestic distribution deal in place with Morgan creek at Warner Bros.., and is committed to $400 million for P&A. Samaha closed a credit facility with Imperial Bank worth $135 million. Projects have attracted such talented actors as John Travolta, Oscar winner Holly Hunter, Antonio Banderas, Bruce Willis, Marlon Brando, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Sylvester Stallone, and Wesley Snipes to name a few. Franchise also has a co-production deal with Oliver Stone's Illusion Entertainment. Samaha's Phoenician Films boasts a library with over 35 titles and continues to produce films in the $5-15 million range.

Elie completed five films of special note recently. THE WHITE RIVER KID, starring Antonio Banderas, Bob Hoskins, and Ellen Barkin with Arne Glimcher (THE MAMBO KINGS) directing WOMAN WANTED, with Holly Hunter, Kiefer Sutherland and Michael Moriarty. He also gave newcomer Troy Duffy the opportunity to shoot his first film, THE BOONDOCK SAINTS. Duffy was able to bring forth explosive performances from Willem Dafoe, Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery. FREE MONEY with Mira Sorvino and Marlon Brando was completed this past year as was THIS IS MY FATHER, starring John Cusack, Aidan Quinn, James Caan and Stephen Rea, was directed by Paul Quinn and took the winner's slot of the acclaimed Dublin Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival. FATHER was picked up for domestic distribution by Sony Pictures Classics and will be released this Spring.

In addition to projects in various stages of development and production,Elie looks forward to the upcoming release of several films. This February, Fox Searchlight is releasing 20 DATES, written and directed by Mules Berkowitz with Tia Carrere starring. As one of the prior principles of Millenium Films, Elie partnered with October Films to produce SHADRACH starring Harvey Keitel and Andy MacDowell, which was released through Columbia Pictures in December of 1998. He also produced MONUMENT AVENUE, which showcased the talents of Denis Leary and Billy Crudup. This was recently release through Lion's Gate Films. Under the Phoenician banner, Elie recently wrapped prodduction on THE THIRD MIRACLE starring Ed Harris and Anne Heche, it was directed Agnieszka Holland.

THE WHOLE NINE YARDS, starring Bruce Willis; BATTLEFIELD EARTH with John Travolta and being directed by Roger Christian who just came off the extensive shoot of the newest STAR WARS as 2nd Unit director; and THE ART OF WAR, with Wesley Snipes are set to begin filming this may, July and August, respectively.

Elie was born in Italy and now resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Tia Carrere.