John Lafia | |
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Born | 1957 (age 59–60) United States |
Alma mater | UCLA |
Occupation | Film director, screenwriter, producer, musician |
John Lafia (born 1957) is an American film and television writer, director, producer and musician. He attended UCLA, where he received his BFA in Motion Picture/Television. Lafia has over thirty produced credits and has penned scripts or directed shows for Paramount, Universal, New Line, Sony Pictures, Columbia, MGM/UA, Warner Brothers, NBC, CBS, Polygram, 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate and many other independent companies.
Lafia's first feature film was, The Blue Iguana, which he wrote and directed as well as producing the soundtrack. It was selected to screen at a special midnight showing in the Palais des Festivals at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. Lafia co-wrote the screenplay for Child's Play (1988). As a credited screenwriter he was responsible for coining the name “Chucky” and contributing trademark dialog such as “Hi, I’m Chucky, wanna play?” Upon its release, Child’s Play was number one at the North American box office. The film won a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film, as well as a nomination for best writing. The film was also an Official Selection at the Festival International du Film Fantastique d'Avoriaz. Lafia went on to direct Child's Play 2 (1990). The film debuted at number one on the North American Box-office charts. It was nominated for a Saturn Award as well as chosen to be an Official Selection at the Festival International du Film Fantastique d'Avoriaz. Lafia followed Child's Play 2 with Man's Best Friend (1993), which he both wrote and directed for New Line Cinema. The film debuted at number two on the North American box-office charts. Man's Best Friend won the Special Prize at the Festival international du film fantastique de Gérardmer voted on by a jury led by Terry Gilliam and Walter Hill. Man's Best Friend also garnered a Saturn Award Nomination for best Science Fiction Film as well as being an Official Selection at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival and the Beauvais Film Festival Cinemalia.