Howard Gordon

An Emmy-winning writer-producer for some of the most popular television dramas of the late '90s and 2000s, Howard Gordon brought his talent for creating gripping, imaginative scenarios to such shows as "The X-Files" (Fox, 1993-2002), "24" (Fox, 2001-2010) and "Homeland" (Showtime, 2011- ). Gordon worked his way up the creative ladder with frequent writing and producing partner Alex Gansa, who collaborated with him on "Beauty and the Beast" (CBS, 1987-1990) and "X-Files" before Gordon split to create several well-regarded if low-rated science fiction series.

The rating juggernaut that was "24" took up much of Gordon's attention during the new millennium, after which he rejoined Gansa to create "Homeland" (Showtime, 2011- ). The action-thriller, which followed a FBI agent's quest to discover the truth about an Iraq War POW's allegiances, swept the 2012 Emmys and established the pair as new leading figures in TV drama. The depth and scope of Gordon's best work underscored his status as a one of the more acclaimed creative figures in 21st century television.

Born March 31, 1961 in Queens, NY, Howard Gordon graduated from Princeton University before heading west with fellow alum Alex Gansa to try their hand at writing for television. They made their initial mark in the business with episodes of "Spenser: For Hire" (ABC, 1985-1988), which paved the way to their work as writers and later producers on "Beauty and the Beast." In 1990, they signed a deal with Witt-Thomas Productions, which yielded several TV movies, including "Country Estates" (ABC, 1993), a pilot for a proposed series about strange happenings in a seemingly idyllic suburb. The project attracted the attention of producer Chris Carter, who subsequently hired the pair in 1994 to join "The X-Files" as supervising producers. Gordon also co-wrote several episodes before leaving the series in 1997.

In 1999, Gordon teamed with Tim Kring to create "Strange World" (ABC/Sci Fi Channel, 1999), a short-lived science fiction series with "X-Files"-styled conspiracy overtones about a government agency that investigated abuses of science and technology. Three episodes were aired before the network pulled the plug on the show, prompting Gordon to premiere the remaining 10 on the Sci Fi Channel. Gordon was subsequently hired by Joss Whedon to write for "Angel" (The WB, 1999-2004). In 2001, he left that popular cult show to write for the first two seasons of "24" before overseeing the entire story arcs for its third and fourth seasons, which concerned a biological terrorist attack on the U.S. and the rescue of Secretary of Defense James Heller (William Devane) from kidnappers. Gordon briefly exited "24" to join his "Strange World" co-creator Tim Minear on "The Inside" (Fox, 2005), a short-lived crime drama about an investigator with a talent for understanding the criminal mind. Following its cancellation in 2005, Gordon returned to "24" to serve as showrunner from 2006 until its final episode in 2010.

After the conclusion of "24," Gordon re-teamed with Gansa to create "Homeland," a Showtime drama based on the Israeli television series "Hatufim" ("Prisoners of War") (Channel 2, 2010- ). Its debut in 2011 was met with considerable critical acclaim, as well as the 2012 Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Gordon also shared an Emmy for Outstanding Writing with Gansa and Gideon Raff, the show's executive producer and creator of "Hatufim." During this busy period, Gordon also briefly worked as showrunner and executive producer on the science fiction series "Awake" (NBC, 2012), which lasted just 13 episodes, despite excellent reviews. He also penned his first novel, Gideon's War (2011), which was followed in 2012 by Hard Target. By Paul Gaita