#225: Jim Kouf - Life is a Puzzle

Jim Kouf is a writer, director, producer & showrunner. 


He recently wrapped up the series GRIMM for NBC which had a
successful six year run, where he served as the co-show runner
& producer as well as writer and even directed a few episodes
himself.


His first feature films, co-written with David Greenwalt, were
“CLASS”, “AMERICAN DREAMER”, and “SECRET ADMIRER”. He also wrote
“THE HIDDEN” under the pseudonym Bob Hunt. Jim made his
directorial debut with “MIRACLES” starring Tom Conti, Teri Garr
and Christopher Lloyd.


In 1985, he moved to the Disney lot where he began a partnership
with Lynn Bigelow to form Kouf/Bigelow Productions. During
that time, Jim wrote and produced “STAKEOUT” and “ANOTHER
STAKEOUT”. He also wrote and directed “DISORGANIZED CRIME”
and co-wrote “OPERATION DUMBO DROP”.


Kouf/Bigelow Productions executive produced “KALIFORNIA” starring
Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis, SILENT FALL starring Richard
Dreyfuss and Liv Tyler as well as CONAIR starring Nicolas Cage.


Jim also wrote and directed “GANG RELATED” starring Jim Belushi,
Tupac Shakur, Dennis Quaid, Lela Rochon and James Earl Jones and
co-wrote “RUSH HOUR” starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, SNOW
DOGS starring Cuba Gooding and James Coburn and TAXI starring
Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon.


He has also worked in television, producing and writing with
David Greenwalt, for ANGEL and writing and producing on THE
HANDLER. His last Disney release was NATIONAL TREASURE starring
Nicolas Cage. NATIONAL TREASURE 2 & National Treasure: Edge
of History which is based on his characters created, was released
in 2007 and 2022 respectively.


In 2007 Jim co-wrote and directed the independent film, A FORK IN
THE ROAD, starring Jamie King, Sylas Wier Mitchell and Josh
Cooke. Jim has also Executive Produced and written for the series
GHOST WHISPERER, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. In 2016, MONEY
MONSTER was released, which he co-wrote, starring George Clooney
and Julie Roberts.  


We chat about Life changing poker games, Grimm & the fan
base, collaborating with creatives and his wife (Lynn Bigelow) +
what makes it a success, his ranch, writing screenplays that hold
up, breaking into the industry, picking your battles, moving
forward and bad ideas.



The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day
after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael
Kahan

Check Jim out on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koufjim/

Website: https://www.jimkouf.com/

-------------------------------------------

Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and
Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/

https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

and @Michael_Kahan on Insta & Twitter to
keep up to date with the latest info.

https://www.instagram.com/michael_kahan/

https://twitter.com/Michael_Kahan