James Mangold

James Allen Mangold (born 16 December 1963) is an American film director and screenwriter. He is perhaps best known for Walk the Line (2005) which he co-wrote and directed.

Life and career

Mangold was born in New York City, the son of artists Robert Mangold and Sylvia Plimack Mangold. After graduating from Washingtonville High School, Mangold was accepted into the California Institute of the Arts film/video program. While there, he mentored under Alexander Mackendrick. During his third year, Mackendrick suggested that Mangold should study at CalArts School of Theater as an actor alongside his regular film studies. One of his classmates was Don Cheadle.

Based on the response to his short films, in 1985 Mangold got a fast start as a graduate of CalArts, securing a writer/director deal (at age 21) at Disney. Mangold grew disillusioned at the studio. He wrote a television movie and the animated feature "Oliver and Company". A few years later, Mangold decided to re-establish himself in New York and applied to Columbia University's film school, where he graduated with an MFA in film. While there, he studied under Miloš Forman and developed both Heavy and Cop Land.

He has worked consistently as a feature writer and director since 1995, when his first feature, the independent film Heavy, won the best directing prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Mangold subsequently wrote and directed Cop Land starring Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta;...... ...
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