James Lassiter

Film producer; partner in Overbrook Entertainment[22]

What is James Lassiter known for?

James Lassiter is a notable American film producer who co-founded Overbrook Entertainment along with the famous actor and rapper, Will Smith. Renowned for his influential role in the entertainment industry, Lassiter's career took off in Philadelphia, PA, the city of his birth. He attended University of Miami and Temple University, where he formed a close relationship with Jeffrey "Jazzy Jeff" Townes. This connection later led him to meet Will Smith, and subsequently, their partnership extended over two decades.

Not just limited to the management side of things, Lassiter played a pivotal role as Smith's road manager, forming part of the backbone of Smith's career. During his illustrious run, he associated with several other companies, but always found himself returning to Smith's side, ultimately leading to their establishment of Overbrook Entertainment.

The production company, Overbrook Entertainment, has had a notable presence in the film industry, creating exceptional films like Hitch and ATL. At one point, they had a deal with Universal Studios to produce films, but things did not materialize as planned and they moved to Sony. Lassiter and Smith proved their international marketing prowess by promoting their productions in various foreign markets, such as marketing I, Robot in Russia and Ali in South Africa.

Lassiter's filmography includes numerous well-received films, both as a producer and executive producer, examples of which include Ali, I, Robot, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock, The Secret Life of Bees, The Karate Kid, After Earth, Annie, Bad Boys for Life, King Richard, and The Harder They Fall, to name a few. His contributions to the television world have also not gone unnoticed, having been an executive producer for shows like Getting Personal, All of Us, The Queen Latifah Show, Cobra Kai, and Bel-Air.

In addition to his film and television pursuits, Lassiter contributed to the music department of films like Booty Call and Men in Black. His illustrious career in the entertainment industry paints a picture of a driven and versatile individual, leaving a significant mark on Hollywood.

You can learn more about James Lassiter from his IMDb page.