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Paula WagnerAmerican film producer and executive film director
Date of Birth: 12.12.1946
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Paula Wagner
Paula Wagner is an American film producer and executive film director. She was born in Youngstown, Ohio. Initially, she pursued a career as an actor, starting with minor roles in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Wagner also worked at the Yale Repertory Theatre. However, her acting career took a backseat when she discovered her talent and passion for producing.
Transition to Producing
Wagner's transition to producing happened gradually. In 1977, she moved to Los Angeles after a period of relative inactivity in her acting career. Her own agent suggested that she try her hand at becoming an agent herself, believing that she had the necessary instincts for the profession. Two years later, Wagner joined CAA, one of the most successful agencies in the city at the time.
Success as an Agent
Over the next fifteen years, Wagner worked as an agent, helping numerous actors and directors achieve career success. Her most notable protégé was Tom Cruise, who would later become the most well-known of her clients. Wagner also played a crucial role in the careers of Demi Moore, Val Kilmer, Liam Neeson, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Stone, and Robert Towne.
Wagner's care and support for her clients set her apart in the often harsh world of show business. One of her notable achievements was the collaboration between Tom Cruise and Oliver Stone on the film "Born on the Fourth of July" in 1989, which earned Cruise his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. She also facilitated the collaboration between Stone and Val Kilmer for the film "The Doors" in 1991. Additionally, Wagner participated in the controversial recording of Stone's hit "JFK" in the same year.
Partnership with Tom Cruise
Wagner's dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. Tom Cruise, who had achieved significant success, decided to establish a production company together with Wagner called "Cruise/Wagner Productions." From the beginning, they had a string of successful films, starting with the blockbuster adaptation of the popular TV series "Mission: Impossible" in 1996.
Their collaboration continued to produce numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including "Without Limits," "The Others," "Vanilla Sky," "Narc," "The Last Samurai," "War of the Worlds," "Elizabethtown," "Ask the Dust," and the sequels of "Mission: Impossible." The partnership between Cruise and Wagner remains strong, and they continue to work together on successful projects.
Overall, Paula Wagner's career has been marked by her transition from acting to producing and her influential role as an agent. Her passion for supporting and nurturing talent has made a significant impact on the film industry, earning her recognition and respect among filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike.
