James D. Brubaker (March 30, 1937 – January 3, 2023) was an American film producer and production manager. Associated with Chartoff-Winkler Productions for several years, he had producing credits on several of the company's productions including two films in the Rocky series, as well as True Confessions and The Right Stuff. He later served as president of physical production at Universal Pictures from 2003 to 2008.

James D. Brubaker
Born(1937-03-30)March 30, 1937
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJanuary 3, 2023(2023-01-03) (aged 85)
EducationCalifornia State University, Los Angeles
Occupations
  • Producer
  • film executive
SpouseMarcy Kelly
Children3

Biography

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Brubaker was born in Los Angeles, to Margaret Hayes Brubaker and Dudley Sutton Brubaker. His family was of Swiss-German descent. He attended California State University, Los Angeles and served in the U.S. Army. He began working in the film industry as a driver, transporting horses to sets on Western films. For his work on Gia, he won the 1999 Directors Guild of America Award and was nominated for a 1998 Primetime Emmy Award.

Brubaker and his wife, Marcy Kelly, had three children. On January 3, 2023, he died at his home in Beverly Hills, California, from complications of multiple strokes.[1]

Filmography

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He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

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Year Film Credit Notes Ref.
1981 True Confessions Associate producer
1982 Rocky III Associate producer
1983 The Right Stuff Executive producer
1984 Rhinestone Associate producer
1985 Beer Executive producer
Rocky IV Executive producer
1986 Cobra Executive producer
1987 Over the Top Executive producer
1988 Patty Hearst Line producer
1990 Problem Child Executive producer
1992 Brain Donors
1994 Above the Rim Executive producer
1995 A Walk in the Clouds Executive producer
1996 The Nutty Professor Co-producer
1997 Liar Liar Executive producer
1999 Life Executive producer
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Executive producer
2001 F-Stops Executive producer
Her Majesty Executive producer
2002 Dragonfly Executive producer
2003 Bruce Almighty
2012 Jayne Mansfield's Car Executive producer
2013 Standing Up Executive producer
2014 Chef Executive producer Final film as a producer
Production manager
Year Film Role
1978 Comes a Horseman Unit production manager
Uncle Joe Shannon Production manager
1980 Raging Bull
1981 True Confessions
1982 Rocky III
1983 Staying Alive Production supervisor
Unit production manager
The Right Stuff Production manager
1984 Rhinestone Unit production manager
1989 K-9
1990 Problem Child
1992 Brain Donors
Mr. Baseball
1994 Above the Rim
D2: The Mighty Ducks
1995 A Walk in the Clouds
1997 Liar Liar Unit production manager
Unit production manager: Second unit
1999 Life Unit production manager
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Transportation department
Year Film Role Notes
1970 The Animals Transportation captain
1971 Big Jake Driver
Uncredited
Diamonds Are Forever
Harold and Maude
1972 Lady Sings the Blues Transportation captain
Thumb Tripping Insert car driver
Up the Sandbox Transportation captain
1973 Walking Tall Transportation coordinator
Cahill U.S. Marshal
1974 McQ
Busting Transportation captain
The Godfather Part II
Uncredited
1975 Against a Crooked Sky
1976 Embryo Transportation coordinator
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Transportation captain
Nickelodeon Transportation coordinator
1977 Capricorn One
As an actor
Year Film Role Ref.
1999 Life Judge E.M. Byrne
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Krusty Reporter
Editorial department
Year Film Role
1979 Rocky II Post-production coordinator
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role
1977 New York, New York Assistant to production executive
Thanks
Year Film Role
2001 F-Stops The producers wish to thank
2002 Phone Booth The producers wish to thank: For their assistance
2005 The Nickel Children Special thanks
Cry Wolf The filmmakers wish to express their profound gratitute to
2007 Finishing the Game Special thanks

Television

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Year Title Notes Ref.
1992 Running Mates Television film
1998 Gia
Production manager
Year Title Role Notes
1989 The Gifted One Unit production manager Television film
1998 Gia Unit production manager: Second unit, New York
Transportation department
Year Title Role Notes
1975 The Dead Don't Die Transportation coordinator Television film

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Saperstein, Pat (January 3, 2023). "James D. Brubaker, Producer on 'The Right Stuff,' Rocky Movies, Dies at 85". Variety. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
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