# Brian Robbins

**Brian Robbins** (born 1963; birth name Brian Levine) is an American media executive, producer, director, and former actor who has served as [President](https://www.edgepedia.org/president-corporate-title) of Nickelodeon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures, and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Global.<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacomcbs-announces-leadership-transition-paramount-pictures/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/92556H/20250505/FO10K_610134.PDF)</sup> He built his career first on youth television as co-creator of [Nickelodeon](https://www.edgepedia.org/nickelodeon) series including *All That* and *Kenan & Kel*, then moved through digital media into studio and corporate leadership.<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1963, in Marine Park, Brooklyn, New York; birth name Brian Levine<sup>[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005367/bio/)</sup> |
| Acting start | Played Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom *Head of the Class*, 1986 to 1991<sup>[5](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)</sup> |
| Signature productions | Co-created *All That* (1994 to 2005) and *Kenan & Kel*; adapted *All That* into the Nickelodeon feature film *Good Burger*<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)</sup> |
| Companies founded | Co-founder of Tollin/Robbins Productions; founder and president of Varsity Pictures; co-founder of Awesomeness in 2012<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup> |
| Nickelodeon | President from October 1, 2018; President and CEO from July 2021<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[3](https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/92556H/20250505/FO10K_610134.PDF)</sup> |
| Paramount Pictures | President and CEO from 2021 until August 2025; under his tenure the studio earned over $5 billion in worldwide box office gross and 13 number one hits<sup>[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacomcbs-announces-leadership-transition-paramount-pictures/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://labusinessjournal.com/la500-2024/media-entertainment-2024/la500-2024-brian-robbins/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[15](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-08-06/paramount-film-chief-brian-robbins-exits-skydance-takeover)</sup> |
| Paramount Global | Co-Chief Executive Officer since May 2024, in an Office of the CEO with George Cheeks and Chris McCarthy<sup>[3](https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/92556H/20250505/FO10K_610134.PDF)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://apnews.com/article/29d651f09ec9289d8daa22c36622e0fe)</sup> |
| Honors | Directors Guild Award, Peabody Award, International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pioneer Prize, Emmy Award nominee<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup> |

## Acting beginnings

Robbins entered the industry as an actor. Through the late 1970s and early 1980s he took guest roles on series including *Three's Company*, *The Facts of Life*, *Knight Rider*, and *Newhart*, and in the mid-1980s he added television movies such as *The Gladiator* and *One Terrific Guy*.<sup>[8](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/brian-robbins/2814/)</sup> His starring role was Eric Mardian on the ABC sitcom *Head of the Class*, which ran from 1986 to 1991.<sup>[5](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)</sup> By the mid-1990s he had moved behind the camera.<sup>[8](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/brian-robbins/2814/)</sup>

## Production career

**Tollin/Robbins Productions.** Working with fellow actor Mike Tollin, Robbins produced and directed the documentary *The Show*, about the culture of hip-hop, and the two founded their own production company.<sup>[8](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/brian-robbins/2814/)</sup> Tollin/Robbins Productions created a run of youth-oriented television: *All That* for Nickelodeon (1994 to 2005), *Kenan & Kel*, and *Cousin Skeeter*.<sup>[5](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)</sup> Robbins adapted *All That* into the 1997 Nickelodeon feature film *Good Burger*, which he also directed.<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)</sup> He served as co-writer and director on the Nickelodeon anthology *Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal*, which won a Directors Guild of America Award and a CableACE Award.<sup>[8](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/brian-robbins/2814/)</sup>

**Teen and young-adult television.** Robbins executive produced the long-running CW series *Smallville* and *One Tree Hill*, Disney Channel's *Sonny with a Chance* and *So Random*, Nickelodeon's *[Supah Ninjas](https://www.edgepedia.org/supah-ninjas)*, Spike TV's *Blue Mountain State*, WB's *What I Like About You*, and HBO's *Arli$$*.<sup>[9](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/brian-robbins)</sup> With Dan Schneider he also launched *All That* discovery [Amanda Bynes](https://www.edgepedia.org/amanda-bynes) in *The Amanda Show* and later in her primetime series *What I Like About You*.<sup>[10](https://tv.apple.com/ca/person/brian-robbins/umc.cpc.5dyrn9f84x7goyznq195qhy3l)</sup>

**Feature films.** As a director Robbins made *Varsity Blues* (1999), *Ready to Rumble* (2000), *[Hardball](https://www.edgepedia.org/hardball-film)* (2001), *The Perfect Score* (2004), *The Shaggy Dog* (2006), *Norbit* (2007), and *[A Thousand Words](https://www.edgepedia.org/a-thousand-words-film)* (2012).<sup>[8](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/brian-robbins/2814/)</sup> He produced or directed films including Disney's *Wild Hogs*, Paramount's *Coach Carter*, Sony's *Radio*, and DreamWorks' *Norbit* and *A Thousand Words*.<sup>[9](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/brian-robbins)</sup> Through his company Varsity Pictures he produced *Fred: The Movie*, based on [Lucas Cruikshank](https://www.edgepedia.org/lucas-cruikshank)'s series of Fred videos on YouTube, and its sequels *Night of the Living Fred* and *Camp Fred*, all of which debuted to record ratings on Nickelodeon.<sup>[9](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/brian-robbins)</sup>

## Awesomeness

Robbins co-founded the multi-platform media company Awesomeness in 2012 and served as its Chief Executive Officer.<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup> Its AwesomenessTV channel debuted on YouTube in June 2012 and became one of YouTube's fastest-growing premium content channels, aimed at the teen and young-adult audience.<sup>[9](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/brian-robbins)</sup> As founder and CEO he produced web series and films including *Expelled*, *Guidance*, *Foursome*, *t@gged*, and *Freakish*, as well as the theatrical release *Before I Fall*.<sup>[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005367/bio/)</sup> Viacom purchased the company in July 2018; according to a later Axios report, the sale price was around $300 million.<sup>[11](https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/paramount-big-shot-animation)</sup>

## Paramount executive career

**Paramount Players and Nickelodeon.** Robbins served as President of Paramount Players, the [Paramount Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount-pictures) division that develops and produces co-branded feature films with Viacom brands including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET; projects under him included *[Nobody's Fool](https://www.edgepedia.org/nobodys-fool-2018-film)*, *What Men Want*, and film versions of *Rugrats* and *Dora the Explorer*.<sup>[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005367/bio/)</sup> Viacom named him President of Nickelodeon on October 1, 2018, reporting directly to Viacom chief executive Bob Bakish, with responsibility for evolving the brand for a new generation of young audiences and accelerating its push into next-generation platforms and feature film.<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup> After Viacom merged with CBS, he became President, Kids & Family Entertainment, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, adding [Nick at Nite](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-at-nite), Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nickelodeon Studios, and Awesomeness to his portfolio.<sup>[12](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1339947/000119312519289135/d830557d425.htm)</sup>

**Paramount Pictures.** On September 13, 2021, ViacomCBS announced that Jim Gianopulos would transition oversight of Paramount Pictures to Robbins, who was appointed President and CEO of the studio while retaining his Nickelodeon responsibilities; he also took oversight of films produced for [Paramount+](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount) and of kids and family content globally for the service.<sup>[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacomcbs-announces-leadership-transition-paramount-pictures/)</sup> At that point the company credited Nickelodeon franchises such as *PAW Patrol* and *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* with reaching hundreds of millions of young people through television, movies, and consumer products, and said young-audience programming such as *PAW Patrol: The Movie* and the *SpongeBob SquarePants* universe accounted for a double-digit share of total Paramount+ streams.<sup>[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacomcbs-announces-leadership-transition-paramount-pictures/)</sup> The Los Angeles Business Journal reported that under his tenure Paramount Pictures earned more than $5 billion in worldwide box office gross and 13 number one hits, with expanded and reinvigorated franchises including *Sonic the Hedgehog*, *Transformers*, *Scream*, *PAW Patrol*, and *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*.<sup>[6](https://labusinessjournal.com/la500-2024/media-entertainment-2024/la500-2024-brian-robbins/)</sup>

**Co-CEO of Paramount Global.** In April 2024, Bob Bakish stepped down as [Paramount Global](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount-global)'s chief executive, and the board established an Office of the CEO of three co-CEOs: George Cheeks, President and CEO of CBS; Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and [Paramount Media Networks](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount-media-networks); and Robbins, President and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.<sup>[7](https://apnews.com/article/29d651f09ec9289d8daa22c36622e0fe)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[13](https://ir.paramount.com/node/69931/pdf)</sup> Paramount's 2024 annual filing states that Robbins has been Co-Chief Executive Officer since May 2024.<sup>[3](https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/92556H/20250505/FO10K_610134.PDF)</sup> Issues facing the trio included a reported $11 billion offer from the private-equity firm Apollo Global to acquire the studio and reports of a possible merger with [Skydance Media](https://www.edgepedia.org/skydance-media), David Ellison's company.<sup>[7](https://apnews.com/article/29d651f09ec9289d8daa22c36622e0fe)</sup> In July 2024 Paramount announced a transaction agreement to merge with Skydance Media, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals.<sup>[14](https://www.paramount.com/sites/g/files/dxjhpe356/files/2024-10/Paramount_ESG_Report_2023-2024.pdf)</sup>

## Big Shot Pictures

After leaving Paramount, Robbins founded Big Shot Pictures, an animation company that raised around $100 million in startup funding from investors including CAA, Greycroft, MarcyPen Capital Partners, Sony Pictures, and ValueAct Capital.<sup>[11](https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/paramount-big-shot-animation)</sup> Axios described the venture as Robbins's second alternative studio, after AwesomenessTV.<sup>[11](https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/paramount-big-shot-animation)</sup>

## Honors

Robbins's early directing brought industry recognition. He received the Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival with Michael Tollin for the 1993 documentary *Hardwood Dreams*; a George Foster Peabody Award and an Academy Award nomination for best documentary feature for *Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream*; a CableACE Award and a Directors Guild of America Award nomination for the *Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal* episode "4 Points"; and a Directors Guild of America Award for outstanding directorial achievement in children's programs for the episode "First Time" in 1998.<sup>[5](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)</sup> For his overall work he has received a Directors Guild Award, a Peabody Award, and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Pioneer Prize, and he has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.<sup>[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[9](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/brian-robbins)</sup>

## References

1. [Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon, Paramount press release (October 1, 2018)](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacom-names-brian-robbins-president-nickelodeon/)
2. [ViacomCBS Announces Leadership Transition at Paramount Pictures, Paramount press release (September 13, 2021)](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/viacomcbs-announces-leadership-transition-paramount-pictures/)
3. [Paramount Global 2024 Form 10-K](https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/92556H/20250505/FO10K_610134.PDF)
4. [Brian Robbins Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005367/bio/)
5. [Robbins, Brian 1963(?)-, Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television via Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/robbins-brian-1963)
6. [LA500 2024: Brian Robbins, Los Angeles Business Journal (June 3, 2024)](https://labusinessjournal.com/la500-2024/media-entertainment-2024/la500-2024-brian-robbins/)
7. [Paramount Global replaces CEO Bob Bakish with a troika of executives, Associated Press (April 29, 2024)](https://apnews.com/article/29d651f09ec9289d8daa22c36622e0fe)
8. [Brian Robbins Biography, Tribute.ca](https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/brian-robbins/2814/)
9. [Brian Robbins, Television Academy bios](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/brian-robbins)
10. [Brian Robbins Movies and Shows, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/ca/person/brian-robbins/umc.cpc.5dyrn9f84x7goyznq195qhy3l)
11. [Ex-Paramount co-CEO raises $100 million for animation, Axios (January 29, 2026)](https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/paramount-big-shot-animation)
12. [Viacom and CBS Announce Content and Digital Leadership, SEC Form 425 filing](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1339947/000119312519289135/d830557d425.htm)
13. [Paramount Global Announces New Leadership, Paramount press release](https://ir.paramount.com/node/69931/pdf)
14. [About Paramount Global, Paramount ESG Report 2023-2024](https://www.paramount.com/sites/g/files/dxjhpe356/files/2024-10/Paramount_ESG_Report_2023-2024.pdf)
15. [Paramount film chief Brian Robbins exits ahead of Skydance takeover](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-08-06/paramount-film-chief-brian-robbins-exits-skydance-takeover)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen production organizations › Production companies and industry people › Production founders and executives › American studio and production executives*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license