Robert Shaye

Robert Shaye
Born1939 (age 86–87)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Michigan
Columbia Law School
Occupations
  • Film producer
  • film executive
  • director
  • actor
Years active1964–present
Known forFounding New Line Cinema
RelativesLin Shaye (sister)

Robert Shaye (born 1939) is an American film producer, film executive, director and actor. He founded New Line Cinema in 1967, the company behind the A Nightmare on Elm Street films and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Early life and education

Shaye was born in Detroit. He studied business at the University of Michigan and earned a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1964.

Film distribution and production

New Line Cinema

New Line initially distributed foreign and art films to college audiences. Its releases included Reefer Madness and films by John Waters, including Pink Flamingos.

He produced Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). The film's success led to a series of sequels. Its subsequent expansion encompassed films such as Hairspray, House Party and The Mask, while Fine Line Features handled films aimed at art-house audiences.

Turner Broadcasting acquired New Line in 1994. New Line became part of Time Warner in 1996 through its acquisition of Turner.

In 1998, Shaye backed Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Jackson had been seeking financing for two films; Shaye supported a three-film version. The three films were shot together. Shaye received an executive producer credit on all three films, released between 2001 and 2003.

Shaye and fellow New Line executive Michael Lynne left the company in February 2008, when it was integrated into Warner Bros.' operations.

Later work

In 2008, Shaye and Lynne established Unique Features, which worked with Warner Bros. on distribution. His subsequent credits included executive producer on The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) and producer on When the Bough Breaks (2016). He also worked as an executive producer on television productions including Shadowhunters and The Liberator.

Directing and writing

Shaye's short film Image dates from 1964. His feature Book of Love screened at Cannes in 1990 and opened theatrically in the United States in 1991. He subsequently directed the science-fiction film The Last Mimzy (2007) and the thriller Ambition (2019).

His writing credits include the original scenario for Stunts (1977) and a story credit for Alone in the Dark (1982).

Acting

Shaye has also made screen appearances. He played himself in Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994), Principal Shaye in Freddy vs. Jason (2003), and a detective in Cellular (2004).

Personal life

Actress Lin Shaye is his sister. He married Eva Lindsten. They have two daughters.

Selected filmography

The following selection distinguishes production credits from directing and writing credits.

YearFilmCreditSources
1977StuntsExecutive producer; original scenario
1981PolyesterExecutive producer
1982Alone in the DarkProducer; story
1983XtroExecutive producer
1984A Nightmare on Elm StreetProducer
1988HairsprayExecutive producer
1990 / 1991Book of LoveDirector
1991Freddy's Dead: The Final NightmareProducer
1994Wes Craven's New NightmareExecutive producer
2000FrequencyExecutive producer
2001The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingExecutive producer
2002The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersExecutive producer
2003The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingExecutive producer
2007The Last MimzyDirector; executive producer
2013The Mortal Instruments: City of BonesExecutive producer
2016When the Bough BreaksProducer
2019AmbitionDirector; producer
2021Night TeethExecutive producer
2023 (U.S. theatrical release)Space OddityExecutive producer

References

  1. ↑ Robert Shaye. AlloCiné. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Robert Shaye. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Robert Shaye. University of Michigan Library. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  4. ↑ Graduation 2003. Columbia Law School (2003). Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  5. 1 2 A Nightmare on Elm Street. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 The war of the wizards. Salon, Chris Petrikin (2001-11-15). Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robert Shaye. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert Shaye: Filmographie. AlloCiné. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 The Lost Tycoons. Vanity Fair, Frank DiGiacomo (2009-02-04). Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  10. ↑ New Line Cinema Calls It Quits. Rotten Tomatoes, Jen Yamato. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  11. ↑ La Fundación de Asimov, al cine. Europa Press / OTR/PRESS (2008-07-30). Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  12. ↑ Shadowhunters: Production Listing. Backstage. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  13. ↑ The American Century: Art & Culture 1900–2000 — Film and Video, Part II. Whitney Museum of American Art, p. 11 (1999–2000). Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Book of Love. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  15. 1 2 The Last Mimzy. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Stunts. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  17. ↑ Lin Shaye: Biographie. AlloCiné. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  18. ↑ PATER FAMILIAS. Los Angeles Times, Patrick Goldstein (1999-11-07). Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  19. ↑ Polyester. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ Space Oddity: Cast & Crew. TV Insider. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ Space Oddity. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 13, 2026.