Brian Koppelman

Brian William Koppelman (born in 1966) is an American filmmaker, essayist, podcaster, TV series creator, former music business executive and record producer. Koppelman is the co-writer of Ocean's Thirteen and Rounders, the producer for films including The Illusionist and The Lucky Ones, the director for films including Solitary Man and the documentary This Is What They Want for ESPN as part of their 30 for 30 series, and the co-creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Showtime's Billions. 2Early life and education Koppelman was born on April 27, 1966 in Roslyn Harbor, New York to a Jewish family, the son of Brenda "Bunny" and Charles Koppelman. His father was a producer and media executive. Koppelman holds degrees from Tufts University and Fordham University School of Law. 2Career He first started managing local Long Island bands as a teenager. He would also book bands at a local nightclub. Through booking acts, he came into contact with Eddie Murphy and helped arrange Murphy’s first record deal. As a student at Tufts University, he discovered singer songwriter Tracy Chapman and executive-produced her first album. He was later brought to Giant Records by president Irving Azof