# Neal H. Moritz
**Neal H. Moritz** (born 1959) is an American film and television producer, the founder of the production company [Original Film](https://www.edgepedia.org/original-film), and the producer of every installment of the [Fast & Furious](https://www.edgepedia.org/fast-and-furious) franchise, from *The Fast and the Furious* (2001) through *Fast X* (2023).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605775/) • [2](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz) • [3](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/838841-cs-interview-fate-of-the-furious-producer-neal-moritz-on-the-franchise) His other producing credits include *I Know What You Did Last Summer*, *Cruel Intentions*, *21 Jump Street* and *22 Jump Street*, the *Sonic the Hedgehog* films, and the television series *Prison Break*, *Preacher*, and *The Boys*.[2](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz) • [4](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neal-moritz-producer-and-founder-of-original-film/id1036888097?i=1000648239290)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1959, Los Angeles, California[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605775/) • [5](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/neal-h-moritz/credits/3000496016/) |
| Company | Founder of Original Film, a Los Angeles-based feature film, television, commercial, and music video production company[2](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz) • [6](https://tv.apple.com/kn/person/neal-h-moritz/umc.cpc.f57s5vajw8jhj32lacpyevm9) |
| Signature franchise | Producer of every Fast & Furious film, 2001 to 2023[3](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/838841-cs-interview-fate-of-the-furious-producer-neal-moritz-on-the-franchise) |
| Box office | Over 70 movies grossing more than $13 billion worldwide; ranked fifth among the highest-grossing producers of all time by TheWrap[7](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/who-are-the-producers-getting-movies-made/) |
| Education | Bachelor's in economics from UCLA; master's degree from the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC, 1985[8](https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/producers/neal-h-moritz-net-worth/) |
| First feature | *Juice* (1992), made with David Heyman[9](https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/episodes/11698737-neal-moritz-producer-discusses-the-film-industry-filmmaking-and-more) |
| Number-one openings | 15 films had opened at No. 1 as of 2011, including *I Am Legend*, *S.W.A.T.*, *Click*, *xXx*, and *The Green Hornet*[10](https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/the-big-picture/story/2011-03-14/neal-moritz-a-producer-with-his-finger-on-the-pulse-of-the-populace) |
## Family background in exhibition
Moritz grew up in [Westwood, Los Angeles](https://www.edgepedia.org/westwood-los-angeles), in a family rooted in movie exhibition and marketing. His grandfather Joe Moritz, a longtime Los Angeles theater owner, provided a $5,000 loan that helped James Nicholson and Sam Arkoff launch [American International Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-international-pictures) (AIP) in 1954; Moritz's father Milt spent 23 years as head of advertising and publicity at AIP and later headed the National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada.[11](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-et-gold10-story.html) As a boy, Neal ran the projector in the family screening room, where AIP horror star [Vincent Price](https://www.edgepedia.org/vincent-price) was an occasional visitor, and worked in the AIP mailroom during summer vacations.[11](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-et-gold10-story.html)
He has credited this upbringing with his commercial instincts. Watching his father design posters and ad slogans before a film was even made taught him, in his words, that "you should have a clear-cut idea of who wants to see your movie before you make it."[12](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-09-ca-15321-story.html)
## Education and early career
Moritz majored in economics at UCLA. During a Semester at Sea voyage in 1981 he bought canvas backpacks in China, and the demand he found back home led him and a friend to start a company importing purses and bags; he later sold the business to an investor.[9](https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/episodes/11698737-neal-moritz-producer-discusses-the-film-industry-filmmaking-and-more) He then earned a master's degree from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the [University of Southern California](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-southern-california) in 1985.[8](https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/producers/neal-h-moritz-net-worth/)
Unable to find a job after graduating, he set up his own production company and never worked for anyone else.[9](https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/episodes/11698737-neal-moritz-producer-discusses-the-film-industry-filmmaking-and-more) His first produced project was the 1990 television movie *Framed*.[8](https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/producers/neal-h-moritz-net-worth/) In 1990 he partnered with [David Heyman](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-heyman), later a [United Artists](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-artists) alumnus, in Moritz-Heyman Productions, and in 1993 he partnered with commercial producer Bruce Mellon to found Original Film, which initially produced commercials and music videos.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605775/)
## Breakthrough in teen film
Moritz struggled for years before his first feature, the urban crime drama *[Juice](https://www.edgepedia.org/juice-1992-film)*, starring [Tupac Shakur](https://www.edgepedia.org/tupac-shakur), was released in 1992.[11](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-et-gold10-story.html) • [9](https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/episodes/11698737-neal-moritz-producer-discusses-the-film-industry-filmmaking-and-more) His commercial breakthrough came with the 1997 slasher *I Know What You Did Last Summer* and the 1999 drama *Cruel Intentions*, and by 2003 the Los Angeles Times described him as Hollywood's leading producer of teen-oriented movies, with hits including *xXx* and *Urban Legend*.[6](https://tv.apple.com/kn/person/neal-h-moritz/umc.cpc.f57s5vajw8jhj32lacpyevm9) • [11](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-et-gold10-story.html) In 1999, Sony studio chief [Amy Pascal](https://www.edgepedia.org/amy-pascal), who had signed him to a three-year deal, called him "incredibly prolific" with "his finger on the pulse of what's happening."[12](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-09-ca-15321-story.html)
His films in this period often drew weak reviews but strong audiences; *Battle: Los Angeles*, for example, scored 33 on Rotten Tomatoes while opening at No. 1 with $36 million in March 2011.[10](https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/the-big-picture/story/2011-03-14/neal-moritz-a-producer-with-his-finger-on-the-pulse-of-the-populace)
## The Fast & Furious franchise
The franchise that defines Moritz's career began with a title. A project then called *Redline*, about an undercover cop infiltrating a street-racing gang, needed a better name; after watching a documentary about AIP, Moritz learned that the studio's first release in 1954 had been a [Roger Corman](https://www.edgepedia.org/roger-corman)-directed film called *The Fast and the Furious*. He called Universal the next morning, Universal acquired the rights to the name, and the 2001 film became a hit.[11](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-et-gold10-story.html)
Moritz has produced every film in the series, guiding it, as ComingSoon.net put it, "from a small street racer movie to a global phenomenon."[3](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/838841-cs-interview-fate-of-the-furious-producer-neal-moritz-on-the-franchise) *Furious 7* (2015) broke multiple box office records to become the sixth-highest-grossing feature film of all time at the time of its release.[2](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz) By 2026, Universal reported that the eleven-film saga had earned more than $7 billion worldwide.[13](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605775/news/)
The franchise also illustrated his audience awareness: he said that 50 percent of opening-weekend viewers for the fourth Fast & Furious film were Latino.[10](https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/the-big-picture/story/2011-03-14/neal-moritz-a-producer-with-his-finger-on-the-pulse-of-the-populace)
## Television and later work
Moritz's television credits include *Prison Break* and its 2017 revival *Prison Break: Resurrection*, *The Big C*, *Preacher* for AMC, *The Boys* for Amazon, and CBS's *S.W.A.T.*; the television movie *The Rat Pack* earned 11 Primetime Emmy nominations.[2](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz) • [4](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neal-moritz-producer-and-founder-of-original-film/id1036888097?i=1000648239290)
Beyond Fast & Furious, his later film producing includes the *Sonic the Hedgehog* films (2020 to 2024), *Escape Room* and its sequel, *Spenser Confidential*, *Bloodshot*, and the *[Goosebumps](https://www.edgepedia.org/goosebumps-film)* films.[14](https://www.fandango.com/people/neal-h-moritz-474407/film-credits) Upcoming projects listed in industry databases include *Sonic the Hedgehog 4*, a live-action *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* film at Paramount blending live action with CG animation, *Cliffhanger*, *Beach Read*, and *24 Jump Street*, the third film in the Jump Street series, whose title Moritz revealed by posting a photograph of the screenplay.[15](https://www.movieinsider.com/p9909/neal-h-moritz) • [7](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/who-are-the-producers-getting-movies-made/) • [16](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/funny-reason-24-jump-street-third-film-title-phil-lord-channing-tatum-jonah-hill)
## Scale of output
Estimates of Moritz's cumulative output and grosses differ by source and date. His Paramount biography credits him with more than 50 major motion pictures earning over $10 billion worldwide.[2](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz) The production notes for *F9* put the total at more than 50 films and more than $13 billion.[17](https://cdn-media.festival-cannes.com/film_film/0002/67/c3880ef3b711a16f9ae2a09cedd6c92d654d182e.pdf) A 2026 industry survey placed him fifth among the highest-grossing producers of all time, with over 70 movies grossing more than $13 billion.[7](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/who-are-the-producers-getting-movies-made/) The consistent picture across sources is a body of work in the dozens of films with worldwide grosses in the low tens of billions of dollars.
## References
1. [Neal H. Moritz, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605775/)
2. [Neal H. Moritz biography, Paramount Press Express](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=neal-h-moritz)
3. [Interview: Fate of the Furious Producer Neal Moritz on the Franchise, ComingSoon.net](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/838841-cs-interview-fate-of-the-furious-producer-neal-moritz-on-the-franchise)
4. [Neal Moritz, Producer and Founder of Original Film, Media Industry Conversations Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neal-moritz-producer-and-founder-of-original-film/id1036888097?i=1000648239290)
5. [Neal H. Moritz List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/neal-h-moritz/credits/3000496016/)
6. [Neal H. Moritz, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/kn/person/neal-h-moritz/umc.cpc.f57s5vajw8jhj32lacpyevm9)
7. [Who Are the Producers Getting Movies Made?, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/who-are-the-producers-getting-movies-made/)
8. [Neal H. Moritz Net Worth, Celebrity Net Worth](https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/producers/neal-h-moritz-net-worth/)
9. [Neal Moritz (Producer) Discusses the Film Industry, Filmmaking, and More!, Don't Kill the Messenger](https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/episodes/11698737-neal-moritz-producer-discusses-the-film-industry-filmmaking-and-more)
10. [Neal Moritz, a producer with his finger on the pulse of the populace, Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/the-big-picture/story/2011-03-14/neal-moritz-a-producer-with-his-finger-on-the-pulse-of-the-populace)
11. [In Dad's footsteps, Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-et-gold10-story.html)
12. [Moritz Makes His 'Intentions' Clear, Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-09-ca-15321-story.html)
13. [Neal H. Moritz News, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605775/news/)
14. [Neal H. Moritz Filmography and Movies, Fandango](https://www.fandango.com/people/neal-h-moritz-474407/film-credits)
15. [Neal H. Moritz Film Credits, Movie Insider](https://www.movieinsider.com/p9909/neal-h-moritz)
16. [The Funny Reason 24 Jump Street Is The Name Of The Franchise's Third Film, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/funny-reason-24-jump-street-third-film-title-phil-lord-channing-tatum-jonah-hill)
17. [F9 Production Information, Festival de Cannes](https://cdn-media.festival-cannes.com/film_film/0002/67/c3880ef3b711a16f9ae2a09cedd6c92d654d182e.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Directors, producers, and screenwriters › Film producers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 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