Andrew Jarecki

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Andrew Jarecki
Andrew Jarecki 1.jpg
Jarecki at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival
Born (1963-03-24) March 24, 1963 (age 62)
United States
Occupation Film director

Andrew Jarecki (born March 24, 1963) is an American filmmaker, musician, and entrepreneur. He is best known for the Emmy-winning documentary series The Jinx . He is also known for the documentary films Capturing the Friedmans (2003) and The Alabama Solution (2025), both winners and nominees at several festivals and awards ceremonies, earning both of them an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film nomination. [1] [2]

Contents

Career

Jarecki graduated from Princeton University in 1985. [3] He is the co-founder and CEO of Moviefone, which provides film schedules over the Internet and telephone and was sold to AOL in 1999. [4] With producer J. J. Abrams, Jarecki co-wrote the theme song to Felicity , "New Version of You", in 2000. [5]

Jarecki's 2003 documentary about a family, Capturing the Friedmans , his first feature, began as an offshoot from a short film he was making about birthday party clowns, which was titled Just a Clown and released in 2004. [6] [7] It generate him his first Academy Awards nomination for Best Documentary and being recognized by the National Board of Review Award for Best Documentary Film. [8]

Jarecki went on to direct the narrative feature All Good Things starring Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, and Frank Langella. [9] The film, inspired by the life of millionaire Robert Durst and the unsolved disappearance of his wife Kathie, was released in 2010. [10]

Along with filmmaking partner Marc Smerling, Jarecki also produced the 2010 documentary film Catfish , [11] and co-produced and directed the documentary series The Jinx , which aired on HBO in 2015. [12] Jarecki plays the drums and sings backing vocals on Bikini Robot Army's single "Joe Strummer's House". [13]

Jarecki directed the 2018 Netflix comedy series Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell . [14]

In 2025 he produced, directed and write the documentary The Alabama Solution about the prison system in Alabama, [15] being praised by critics and being nominated at the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. [16]

Personal life

Jarecki is the son of financier-philanthropist Henry Jarecki, the brother of documentary filmmaker Eugene Jarecki, [17] finance executive Thomas A. Jarecki, and the half-brother of filmmaker Nicholas Jarecki. [18]

Jarecki lives in New York City with his wife, Nancy Jarecki, [19] and their three children. [20]

Filmography

YearFilm or TV seriesCredited asNote
DirectorProducerWriterComposer
2000 Felicity YesTV series - theme music composer
2003 Capturing the Friedmans YesYesDocumentary feature
2004Just a ClownYesDocumentary short
2010 All Good Things YesYesNarrative feature
2010 Catfish YesDocumentary feature
2013 Catfish: The TV Show YesExecutive producer, episode: "Derek & Kristen"
2015–24 The Jinx YesYesYesHBO documentary miniseries
2018 Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell YesNetflix three-part series
2025 The Alabama Solution YesYesYesDocumentary feature

Accolades

Academy Awards

YearCategoryWorkResultRef.
2004 Best Documentary Feature Film Capturing the Friedmans Nominated [21]
2026 The Alabama Solution Pending [22]

Emmy Awards

YearCategoryWorkResultRef.
Primetime Emmy Awards
2015 Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Won
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program Nominated
2024 Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series The Jinx: Part Two Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Programming Nominated

Other awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryWork(s)ResultRef.
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards 2025 Best Director The Alabama SolutionNominated [23]
Directors Guild of America Awards 2003 Outstanding Directing for a Documentary Capturing the FreidmansNominated [24]
International Documentary Association 2025Best ProductionThe Alabama SolutionNominated [25]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association 2003 Best Documentary Film Capturing the FreidmansNominated [26]
National Board of Review 2003 Top Five Documentaries Capturing the FreidmansWon [27]
Freedom of Expression AwardHimselfWon
New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2003 Best Non-Fiction Film Capturing the FreidmansWon [28]
Producers Guild of America Award 2016 Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Won [29]
2026 Best Documentary The Alabama SolutionPending [30]
Satellite Awards 2026 Best Documentary Film The Alabama SolutionPending [31]
Seattle Film Critics Society 2025 Best Documentary Feature The Alabama SolutionNominated [32]
Sundance Film Festival 2003 Grand Jury Prize Capturing the FriedmansWon [33]
TCA Awards 2015 Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials The JinxWon [34]

References

  1. ↑ King, Loren (December 19, 2010). "Making dysfunction work for him". Boston Globe. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  2. ↑ 2004|Oscars.org
  3. ↑ Wallach, Van. "Portraying ambiguity". Princeton Alumni Weekly. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "AOL buys MovieFone". CNN Money. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Andrew Jarecki". Bikini Robot Army. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  6. ↑ Doty, Meriah (27 June 2003). "Director talks 'Capturing the Friedmans'". CNN . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Stevens, Dana (13 July 2004). "Circus Sideshow: Is Just A Clown Andrew Jarecki's thank-you to David Friedman?". Slate Magazine . ISSN   1091-2339 . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (25 June 2014). "Capturing the Friedmans subject makes fresh appeal to overturn sexual abuse conviction". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Stevenson, Seth (16 March 2015). "In All Good Things, Andrew Jarecki Revealed the Real Reason He's Obsessed With Robert Durst". Slate Magazine . ISSN   1091-2339 . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Andrew Jarecki Interview: Director Discusses "All Good Things"". FilmSlate. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  11. ↑ Longworth, Karina (December 1987). "Doc or Not, Catfish Is Stranger Than Fiction". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  12. ↑ Mike Hale (February 6, 2015). "'The Jinx,' 6-Part HBO Documentary on Robert Durst". The New York Times . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ Maerz, Melissa (15 December 2015). "Andrew Jarecki reflects on the year he got Robert Durst to admit that he 'killed them all'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  14. ↑ Husband, Andrew (November 28, 2018). "Jeff Ross And Dave Attell Tell Us How They Developed Their Innovative New 'Bumping Mics' Special For Netflix". Uproxx .
  15. ↑ Gleiberman, Owen (January 29, 2025). "'The Alabama Solution' Review: Andrew Jarecki's Powerful Exposé of a Prison System Where Sanctified Lawlessness Is the Law". Variety . Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ↑ Fienberg, Daniel (January 29, 2025). "'The Alabama Solution' Review: Powerful New Doc From 'The Jinx' Duo Investigates Injustices in Alabama Prisons". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  17. ↑ Solomon, Deborah (February 4, 2011). "The Reagan Evolution". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  18. ↑ Baumgarten, Marjorie. "From the Vaults: Keeping Up With the Jareckis". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  19. ↑ Becker, Jonathan (2 February 2011). "Nancy Jarecki: Head Strong". Vogue . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  20. ↑ Applebome, Peter (6 July 2013). "1980s Child Sex Case Is a Cause He Cannot Drop". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "The 76th Academy Awards (2004) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . AMPAS. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  22. ↑ "The 98th Academy Awards | (2026)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  23. ↑ Davis, Clayton (October 14, 2025). "'Orwell: 2+2=5' and 'The Perfect Neighbor' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominations". Variety . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Awards Ceremony 56th Annual DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  25. ↑ Kilkenny, Katie (December 6, 2025). "IDA Documentary Awards: 'The Tale of Silyan' Wins Best Feature". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  26. ↑ King, Susan (9 January 2004). "'Splendor' is L.A. critics' best film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  27. ↑ "Awards for 2003". National Board of Review. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  28. ↑ "New York critics name Return of the King Best Picture". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  29. ↑ Petski, Denise (January 23, 2016). "PGA Awards: 'The Big Short' Wins Top Film Prize; 'Game Of Thrones' Takes Drama; 'Transparent' Nabs Comedy". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 7, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  30. ↑ Levy, Giana (2025-12-09). "'The Perfect Neighbor,' 'Cover-Up,' 'My Mom Jayne' Among PGA Nominees for Documentary Motion Pictures". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  31. ↑ "IPA set to Celebrate the 30th Annual Satellite Awards". International Press Academy. December 16, 2025. Archived from the original on December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  32. ↑ "'Sinners' Ties Seattle Film Critics Nominations Record with 'One Battle After Another' Close Behind". Seattle Film Critics Society. December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Sundance Festival: 2003". CBS News. January 28, 2003. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  34. ↑ de Moraes, Lisa (August 8, 2015). "'Empire,' John Oliver, Amy Schumer, Jon Hamm, 'Better Call Saul' Honored By TCA". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 9, 2015.
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