Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau Headshot

Director • Writer • Producer

Birth Date: October 19, 1966

Age: 57 years old

Birth Place: Queens, New York

Actor, producer, writer and director Jon Favreau hit unlikely pay dirt when "Swingers" (1996), his low-budget, autobiographical indie about struggling young actors, turned he and co-star/real-life best friend Vince Vaughn into hot property seemingly overnight. Favreau parlayed his rising profile into a number of supporting big-screen roles as cynical side men, but he was more anxious to get behind the camera and direct bigger features. After another indie buddy comedy with Vaughn, mob farce "Made" (2001), Favreau went wide with the holiday hit "Elf" (2003), starring a spandex-clad Will Ferrell. His acclaimed adaptation of the kids book "Zathura: A Space Adventure" (2005) missed the mark with audiences, but his 2008 adaptation of Marvel Comics' "Iron Man" starring Robert Downey, Jr. was one of the most anticipated action films of the year, leading to a return to leading man status for Downey, Jr. and hard-won blockbuster credentials for its highly creative director. Along with continuing with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a producer and actor (playing Tony Stark's personal assistant Happy Hogan), Favreau found further success as a director through films as varied as the romantic comedy-drama "Chef" (2014) and the CGI blockbusters "The Jungle Book" (2016) and "The Lion King" (2019).

Jon Favreau was born on Nov. 19, 1966, and raised in Queens, NY. The son of two schoolteachers, Favreau graduated from the acclaimed Bronx High School of Science before going on to Queens College, where he dropped out in favor of training for a potential comedy career. He moved to Chicago, the nation's hotbed of improv and sketch comedy, and studied comedy under improvisation guru Del Close at ImprovOlympic. Favreau had his first screen success when he was cast as the shy friend of Sean Astin's aspiring football player "Rudy" (1993) in David Anspaugh's biopic. A steadily employed actor, Favreau made guest appearances on TV series like "Seinfeld" (NBC, 1989-1998) and "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1994-2000) and landed character roles in such films as "PCU" (1994) as a genial but dumb party guy, and in Alan Rudolph's "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle" (1994) as Elmer Rice.

Favreau continued to land small roles in films like "Batman Forever" (1995) while living in East Hollywood and spending evenings with fellow show business hopefuls in the retro cocktail club scene. Following the age-old adage "write what you know," he turned out a script based on his friends and himself in two weeks, and after pounding the pavement for a time, attracted some attention from producers. They wanted to cast name actors, but Favreau saw the movie as a vehicle for himself and his slick, fast-talking friend Vince Vaughn, so he eventually sold the rights to director Doug Liman, who was willing to cast close to home. Made on a shoestring budget, the film's realistic portrayal of twenty-something life, cool pop culture homages to Tarantino and Scorsese, and charismatic performances from Favreau and scene-stealing Vaughn earned respectful reviews and became an art house hit that elevated both actors' careers up to the next level. Though obviously the heart and soul behind "Swingers," the less showy Favreau stood in the shadow of Vaughn's new stardom. If it did bother him, he did not let it show publicly, instead forging on by landing recurring roles on the sketch show "Tracey Takes On " (HBO, 1996-99) and "Friends" (NBC, 1994-2004) and had a supporting film role in the disaster thriller "Deep Impact" (1998). Favreau moved into leading man territory with his starring role opposite Cameron Diaz and Christian Slater in the dark crime comedy "Very Bad Things" (1998). His love of sports and his solid frame landed him in HBO's 1999 biopic "Rocky Marciano," where he took on the daunting task of portraying the undefeated heavyweight boxing champ, and football comedy "The Replacements" (2000). Favreau returned to the realm of appealingly neurotic suitor in romantic comedy "Love and Sex" (2000), opposite Famke Janssen, before writing and directing "Made" (2001). He and Vaughn co-starred in the largely improvised mob comedy about a pair of aspiring but inept mafia side men, which featured some genuinely hilarious banter between Favreau, Vaughn and co-stars Peter Falk, Sean Combs and Faizon Love. With his rising profile, Favreau developed two lucrative side careers as a script doctor for studio films and as a voice-over actor on animated series, including "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" (ABC, 2000-01) and "Family Guy" (Fox, 1999-2002; 2005- ). Using his expanding Hollywood connections and hip cachet as an indie filmmaker, Favreau launched "Dinner For Five" (IFC, 2001-08), a television series in which he joined four guests from the world of film at a Los Angeles restaurant and the quintet shared anecdotes from their lives and careers. The show provided a unique perspective into the workings of a broad spectrum of Hollywood professionals. Favreau's next major screen role, as the law partner and comic foil to Ben Affleck's blind alter ego in the super hero film "Daredevil" (2003), would unwittingly begin to nudge his career towards his ultimate success in the comic book/sci-fi genre. But before that transformation, Favreau proved himself as a director capable of helming a mainstream feature hit with the holiday comedy "Elf" (2003). Will Ferrell starred as an oafish but innocent human raised by North Pole elves, who finally discovers his true heritage.

For his next directorial effort, Favreau took on "Zathura: A Space Adventure" (2005), an adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's illustrated novel about an adventure board game that comes to life, rocketing two squabbling brothers into orbit and into battle against evil Zorgons. As with "Elf," Favreau showed an assured, expert touch with all-ages material, respecting his audience's intelligence while delivering family friendly fare. Critics cheered his achievement, but unfortunately the film was a financial flop that only earned back half its budget. In 2006, Favreau reappeared in front of the camera, buddying up with tried and true comic foil Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston in the blockbuster romantic comedy "The Break-up."
In his biggest career achievement yet, Favreau served as executive producer and director of 2008's Marvel Comics adaptation "Iron Man," the highly anticipated first film produced under a fresh deal between Paramount and Marvel. Robert Downey, Jr. starred as Tony Stark, the weapons designer who develops a technologically advanced suit of armor to overcome Afghani captors, then returns home to the United States with superhero powers. He followed up with the equally successful, but less well-received sequel "Iron Man 2" (2010). Continuing to helm blockbuster action flicks based on comic books, Favreau directed the highly anticipated "Cowboys & Aliens" (2011), an interesting blend of the science fiction and Western genres about a mysterious stranger (Daniel Craig) who shows up as an unwelcome guest in the Old West town of Absolution wearing a strange bracelet that he later discovers helps battle aliens. In 2012, Favreau made a surprising shift to directing television, helming the pilot episode of the high-concept adventure series "Revolution" (NBC, 2012-14), as well as one of the final episodes of the long-running sitcom "The Office" (NBC, 2005-13). Continuing his acting work, he returned as Happy Hogan for "Iron Man 3" (2013) while Shane Black took up the writing and directing reins, and he also appeared in Martin Scorsese's financial drama "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013). His next triple-threat performance, as director, writer, and star, came in the indie comedy-drama "Chef" (2014), about a respected chef who decides to open a food truck and reconnect with his passion for cooking. After making a cameo appearance in the film reboot of "Entourage" (2015) and reteaming with Vaughn on the black-comedy thriller "Term Life" (2016), Favreau returned to the director's chair with the CGI-driven family movie "The Jungle Book" (2016). He next reappeared as Happy Hogan in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017), "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018), "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), and "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019). Betwween those appearances, Favreau took on a voice role in the "Star Wars" prequel "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018). During this period, Favreau returned to cutting-edge CGI filmmaking, producing and directing a live-action version of Disney's "The Lion King" (2019) featuring entirely CGI-based realistic animal characters. On a smaller scale, Favreau created, directed and starred in the reality series "The Chef Show" (Netflix 2019), in which he traveled around the United States with his longtime friend, chef Roy Choi, who had trained him for the kitchen scenes in "Chef," talking with chefs and celebrities about food which making their favorite dishes.

Credits

Christmas at the Movies

Self
Show
2023

Master & Apprentice: A Special Look At Ahsoka

Self
Show
2023

AhsokaStream

Executive Producer
Miniseries
2023
86%

The Orville: New Horizons

Executive Producer
Show
2022

Prehistoric PlanetStream

Executive Producer
Series
2022
91%

Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett

Self
Show
2022

Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett

Executive Producer
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2022

Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett

Self
Show
2022

The Book of Boba FettStream

Creator
Series
2021
66%

The Book of Boba FettStream

Executive Producer
Series
2021
66%

The chef

Director
Show
2021

The chef

Host
Show
2021

What If...?Stream

Voice
Happy Hogan
Series
2021
94%

Spider-Man: No Way HomeStream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2021
93%

Alien Xmas

Executive Producer
Show
2020

The Mandalorian - Uma História de Guerra nas Estrelas

Creator
Show
2020

Wilmore

Guest
Talk
2020

Disney Gallery: Star Wars: The Mandalorian

Host
Show
2020

The MandalorianStream

Creator
Series
2019
90%

The MandalorianStream

Director
Series
2019
90%

The MandalorianStream

Writer
Series
2019
90%

The Chef ShowStream

Host
Reality
2019

The Lion KingStream

Director
Movie
2019
52%

The Lion KingStream

Producer
Movie
2019
52%

Spider-Man: Far From HomeStream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2019
90%

Avengers: EndgameStream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2019
94%

Avengers: EndgameStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2019
94%

Lejonkungen - sv.tal

Director
Movie
2019

Lejonkungen - sv.tal

Producer
Movie
2019

Der König der Löwen

Director
Movie
2019

Der König der Löwen

Producer
Movie
2019

De Leeuwenkoning

Director
Movie
2019

De Leeuwenkoning

Producer
Movie
2019

Auf grosser Flamme

Actor
Carl Casper
Show
2018

Auf grosser Flamme

Director
Show
2018

Auf grosser Flamme

Writer
Show
2018

Avengers: Infinity WarStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2018
85%

Solo: A Star Wars StoryStream

Voice
Rio Durant
Movie
2018
69%

Spider-Man: Homecoming: Extras

Actor
Show
2017

Young SheldonStream

Director
Series
2017

The Orville: New HorizonsStream

Director
Series
2017
75%

Spider-Man: HomecomingStream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2017
92%

Chef

Writer (Story)
Movie
2017

People Like Us

Actor
Show
2016

The Jungle BookStream

Director
Movie
2016
94%

The Jungle BookStream

Producer
Movie
2016
94%

Term Life

Actor
Jimmy Lincoln
Movie
2016

The Jungle Book

Director
Movie
2016

The Jungle Book

Producer
Movie
2016

The Shannara ChroniclesStream

Executive Producer
Series
2015
79%

The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Avengers: Age of UltronStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2015
76%

The Director's Chair

Guest
Show
2014

About a Boy

Executive Producer
Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

ChefStream

Actor
Carl Casper
Movie
2014
87%

ChefStream

Director
Movie
2014
87%

ChefStream

Producer
Movie
2014
87%

ChefStream

Screenwriter
Movie
2014
87%

Złodziej tożsamości

Actor
Harold Cornish
Movie
2013

アイアンマン 3

Executive Producer
Movie
2013

Iron Man 3Stream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2013
79%

Iron Man 3Stream

Executive Producer
Movie
2013
79%

Identity ThiefStream

Actor
Harold Cornish
Movie
2013
19%

The Wolf of Wall StreetStream

Actor
Manny Riskin
Movie
2013
80%

RevolutionStream

Director
Series
2012
67%

RevolutionStream

Executive Producer
Series
2012
67%

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

Guest
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2012

Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible

Actor
Show
2012

Spoilers With Kevin Smith

Guest
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2012

CBS This Morning: Saturday

Guest
Show
2012

アベンジャーズ

Executive Producer
Movie
2012

The AvengersStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2012
91%

People Like Us

Actor
Richards
Movie
2012

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

ZookeeperStream

Voice
Jerome the Bear
Movie
2011
14%

Cowboys & AliensStream

Director
Movie
2011
44%

Cowboys & AliensStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2011
44%

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Iron Man 2Stream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2010
72%

Iron Man 2Stream

Director
Movie
2010
72%

Iron Man 2Stream

Executive Producer
Movie
2010
72%

Brother's Justice

Self
Movie
2010

Lopez Tonight

Guest
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2009

The Project

Guest
Show
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

I Love You, ManStream

Actor
Barry
Movie
2009
83%

G-Force

Voice
Hurley
Movie
2009

Couples RetreatStream

Actor
Joey
Movie
2009
10%

Couples RetreatStream

Screenwriter
Movie
2009
10%

Stand Up to Cancer

Guest
Show
2008

Iron ManStream

Actor
Happy Hogan
Movie
2008
94%

Iron ManStream

Director
Movie
2008
94%

Iron ManStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2008
94%

Four ChristmasesStream

Actor
Denver
Movie
2008
25%

Hollywood Shootout

Guest
Show
2007

Lyons & Bailes Reel Talk

Guest
Show
2007

In Case of Emergency

Director
Show
2007

The One Show

Guest
Show
2006

Open Season

Voice
Reilly
Movie
2006

The Break-UpStream

Actor
Johnny O
Movie
2006
34%

The Colbert Report

Guest
Talk
2005

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Series
2005

My Name Is EarlStream

Guest Star
Mr. Patrick
Series
2005
82%

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
Show
2005

The OfficeStream

Director
Series
2005
81%

Robot ChickenStream

Guest Voice
Series
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Zathura

Director
Movie
2005

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Wimbledon

Actor
Ron Roth
Movie
2004

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Director
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

DaredevilStream

Actor
Franklin "Foggy" Nelson
Movie
2003
43%

ElfStream

Actor
Doctor
Movie
2003
85%

ElfStream

Director
Movie
2003
85%

Something's Gotta GiveStream

Actor
Leo
Movie
2003
72%

The Big Empty

Actor
John Person
Movie
2003

MonkStream

Guest Star
Dr. Oliver Bloom
Series
2002
91%

The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest

Writer (Screenplay)
Movie
2002

Dinner for Five

Executive Producer
Show
2001

Dinner for Five

Host
Show
2001

Made

Actor
Bobby
Movie
2001

Made

Director
Movie
2001

Made

Producer
Movie
2001

Made

Writer
Movie
2001

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

Guest Voice
Series
2000

Entertainment Studios.com

Guest
Show
2000

The ReplacementsStream

Actor
Bateman
Movie
2000
41%

Love & Sex

Actor
Adam Levy
Movie
2000

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Host of KISS Forum
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Host of KISS Forum
Series
1999

DilbertStream

Guest Voice
Series
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

The SopranosStream

Guest Star
Jon Favreau
Series
1999
92%

Lucha de Campeones

Actor
Rocky Marciano
Movie
1999

Rocky Marciano

Actor
Rocky Marciano
Movie
1999

The King of QueensStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

Deep ImpactStream

Actor
Dr. Gus Partenza
Movie
1998
45%

Very Bad ThingsStream

Actor
Kyle Fisher
Movie
1998
41%

Dogtown

Actor
Ezra Good
Movie
1997

SwingersStream

Actor
Mike Peters/$5 Winner
Movie
1996
88%

SwingersStream

Writer
Movie
1996
88%

Just Your Luck

Actor
Straker
Movie
1996

A la Orden

Actor
Movie
1996

Notes From Underground

Actor
Zerkov
Movie
1995

FriendsStream

Guest Star
Pete Becker
Series
1994
78%

Dormitorio en la Universidad

Actor
Movie
1994

P.C.U.

Actor
Gutter
Movie
1994

Fallen Angels

Actor
Leo
Series
1993

RudyStream

Actor
D-Bob
Movie
1993
78%

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

RugratsStream

Guest Voice
Mack Granite
Series
1991

SeinfeldStream

Guest Star
Clown
Series
1989
89%

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

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