PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
J. Rupert Thompson is an outlier in the world of unscripted television directing and producing. With over 35 years of experience, he has directed and produced more than 450 episodes of television, amounting to more than $500m in programming.
SELECTED WORK HISTORY
REALITY / QUIZ&GAME / PHYSICAL COMPETITION
“Supermarket Sweep” Seasons 1-2 ABC, Fremantle
“Fear Factor” Seasons 1-8 NBC,
MTV, Endemol/Shine
Nominated three times and winner once – DGA Award for Best Reality Program
“Wipeout” Seasons 1-8 ABC, TBS, Endemol-Shine
Winner – Kids Choice Award
“America’s Next Top Model” Season 9 WB, Ken Mok
“American Grit” Season 1 Fox, ITV
Winner – DGA Award for Best Reality Program
“Hero” TNT
Nominated for DGA award for Best Reality Program
“Stars Earn Stripes” NBC
Nominated for DGA award for Best Reality Program
"Shaq Vs." Season 2 ABC
“Battle of the Network Stars” ABC, Glassman Media
"101 Ways to Leave a Game Show" ABC
“Extreme Slip ‘n Slide” NBC, Universal Alternative Television
“Cannonball” USA, NBC, ITV
“Estate of Panic” Syfy
Nominated for DGA award for Best Reality Program
Nominated for Rose d' Or Award (Game Show Category)
“Kicking and Screaming” Fox, Lionsgate Television
“Bullseye” – Fox, Endemol/Shine
“Beat the Champions” Fox
"Numbnuts" MTV
“Beyond Dance” MTV
“You Got This!” – ABC
“Exit” – Syfy
STAGE, LIVE TO TAPE
“Supermarket Sweep” Seasons 1-2 – ABC, Fremantle
“American Gladiators” NBC
“Small Business Champions” – CBS, Pilgrim Media
"The Whole 19 Yards" CBS
“American Jury” ABC
“Tournament of Champions” Food Network, Lando Entertainment.
Nominated for Critic’s Choice Award – Culinary Show
FOOD
“Guy’s Grocery Games” Seasons 1-15
Food Network
“Food Network Star” Season 12
Food Network
“Tournament of Champions” Food Network, Lando Entertainment.
Nominated for Critic’s Choice Award – Culinary Show
“Family Food Showdown” Seasons 1-2 Food Network, Lando Ent.
“Thanksgiving Special” Food Network, Lando Entertainment
“Ultimate Summer Cookoff” Food Network, Lando Entertainment
“Halloween Baking Championship” Food Network, Triage
SCRIPTED CHILDRENS’ SERIES
“Ryan’s Mystery Playdate” Seasons 2-4 – Nick Jr., Pocket Watch
Nominated for Emmy – Outstanding Childrens Preschool Series
DOCU-SERIES
“Bug Juice” Seasons 1-3 Disney Channel, Evolution Media
“The Real World” Season 2 MTV, Bunim Murray Productions
“Totally Hoops” Disney Channel, Evolution Media
“Totally In Tune” Disney Channel, Evolution Media
AWARDS
Nominated seven times for and won twice the DGA Award honoring Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Reality Programs
Winner – Kids Choice Award for Wipeout
Emmy Award Nomination – Outstanding Childrens Preschool Series
Critics Choice Award nomination – Tournament of Champions
AFFILIATIONS
Directors Guild of America
IATSE Local 600 (DP)
AGENT
Josh Levenbrown, UTA (310) 971-4997
LEGAL
Jeanne Newman, Archana Lannin at Hansen-Jacobson (310) 601-6371
Additional references available on request.
# # #
© Iona Pictures 2012-2023