#225: Jim Kouf - Life is a Puzzle

Funny In Failure

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