Carl Gottlieb

Carl Gottlieb was born on March 18, 1938, in New York City, New York. He pursued his education in drama at Syracuse University, where he formed connections that would later influence his professional life. Following his graduation, Gottlieb served in the U.S. Army as an entertainment specialist from 1961 to 1963. In the mid-1960s, he became involved with The Committee, an improvisational comedy theater group in San Francisco, which also included members like Peter Bonerz, Del Close, and John Brent.

Gottlieb’s career in television began with writing for comedy programs such as ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’, for which he earned an Emmy Award in 1969. He also contributed to shows like ‘The Bob Newhart Show’, ‘All in the Family’, and ‘The Odd Couple’. His transition into film involved a pivotal role as an actor in Robert Altman’s ‘M*A*S*H’ (1970). A significant turning point occurred when his friend, Steven Spielberg, hired him to refine the screenplay for ‘Jaws’, leading to critical and commercial success. He continued to work on major film projects, both as a writer and director, including the sequels to ‘Jaws’ and the comedy ‘The Jerk’.

Throughout his career, Carl Gottlieb has maintained an active presence in the entertainment industry. Beyond his screen work, he co-authored two best-selling autobiographies with musician David Crosby: ‘Long Time Gone’ (1989) and ‘Since Then’ (2006). He also penned ‘The Jaws Log’, a popular account of the film’s production. Gottlieb is a long-standing member of the Writers Guild of America, West, having served multiple terms on its Board of Directors, including two as vice-president and later as secretary-treasurer.