Hayden Schlossberg (born June 9, 1978) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer best known for his work on Cobra Kai (with Jon Hurwitz and Josh Heald), the Harold & Kumar films and American Reunion (with Hurwitz).
Hayden Schlossberg | |
|---|---|
 Schlossberg at the American Reunion premiere in 2012 | |
| Born | June 9, 1978 Livingston, New Jersey |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Occupation(s) | screenwriter, director, producer |
| Known for | Cobra Kai Harold & Kumar |
Early life
editSchlossberg was born in New Jersey, to Jewish parents.[1][2] Schlossberg met Jon Hurwitz when they both attended Randolph High School. After high school, Schlossberg attended the University of Chicago, where he studied history.[3] Hurwitz went to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, with Josh Heald who lived in the same dorm with him during freshman year. Schlossberg frequently came to visit Hurwitz at Penn, and thus got to know him as well.[4] Schlossberg graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in History in 2000. His original goal was to study law.[5][6][7]
Career
editIt was during their time in college that Hurwitz and Schlossberg sold their first script Filthy to MGM. Upon selling Filthy, they moved to Hollywood to begin their career in the entertainment industry.[7] The idea for the first Harold and Kumar film, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle developed while they were living in Los Angeles. Schlossberg and Hurwitz decided to write a low-budget stoner film and base the main characters on their high school friends from Randolph High School. They based the character of Harold on their real-life friend Harold Lee. Hurwitz got the idea to base the film around White Castle from his own experience craving White Castle burgers when he lived in Pennsylvania for several years. At the time, Pennsylvania did not have any White Castle locations and Hurwitz had to have family members bring him frozen White Castle burgers from New Jersey.[8] It was later followed by Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. They also wrote and directed the fourth theatrical entry in the American Pie franchise, American Reunion (2012).[9]
They currently work on Cobra Kai, a continuation of The Karate Kid franchise. They created the show, along with their close friend Josh Heald. The trio serve as executive producers, show runners, writers, and directors on the series.[10] More recently, he and his friend Jon Hurwitz, along with Josh Heald via Counterbalance Entertainment has signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television.[11]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle | No | Yes | No | |
| 2008 | Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay | Yes | Yes | co-producer | |
| Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam | Yes | Yes | No | Short film | |
| 2011 | A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas | No | Yes | co-producer | |
| 2012 | American Reunion | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2018 | Blockers | No | No | Yes | |
| 2018–present | Cobra Kai | Yes | Yes | Executive | Also co-creator, Cameo as Terry Silver’s lawyer |
| 2021 | Plan B | No | No | Yes | |
| 2023 | Obliterated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Schlossberg, Hurwitz Create a Heartfelt 'Reunion' of Raunch". 4 April 2012.
- ^ "The real smart kids". Los Angeles Times. 29 July 2004.
- ^ Giles, Julie. "Hayden Schlossberg". Produced By Conference. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "Wax On, Wax Off (Interview)". The Creative Influencer Podcast, PFIEFFER Law. April 24, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ "A movie with Jersey written all over it." The Star-Ledger, July 8, 2004, p 19.
- ^ Zeitlin, Dave (April 2012). "Cooking Up a New American Pie". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ a b Cahillane, Kevin. "Homegrown: A Stoner Comedy Straight Out of Randolph", The New York Times, August 15, 2004. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Mr. Hurwitz and Mr. Schlossberg say their inspiration came straight out of Randolph. 'The high school we went to had a lot of Indian and Asian kids,' said Mr. Schlossberg, who graduated from Randolph High in Morris County in 1996, as did Mr. Hurwitz."
- ^ Vespe, Eric (July 20, 2004). "Quint interviews HAROLD AND KUMAR writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg about Doogie and Battlesh!ts!!!". Ain't It Cool News.
- ^ "'Harold & Kumar' creators to direct 'American Pie 4′ (exclusive)". Archived from the original on 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ Heald, Josh (2018-05-01). "The Inside Story of How 'Fuller House' Inspired 'Karate Kid' Sequel 'Cobra Kai' (Guest Column)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-09-09). "'Cobra Kai' Creators Re-Up Overall Deal With Sony Pictures TV For Their Counterbalance Entertainment, Set Comedy 'The Prince' With Writer Zora Bikangaga". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-09-11.