Adam Shankman: Movies & Box Office

Adam Michael Shankman, born on November 27, 1964, is an American film director, producer, writer, dancer, author, actor, and choreographer. He was a determinant judge on seasons 6–7 of the television program 'So You Think You Can Dance' and began his professional career in musical theater. Shankman has choreographed dozens of films and has been a dancer in music videos for reputed artists such as Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. His record includes directing several feature-length films such as 'A Walk to Remember', 'Bringing Down the House', 'The Pacifier', 'Hairspray', 'Rock of Ages', and 'Disenchanted'.

Shankman owns a company, Offspring Entertainment, together with his sister which produces films and television for various studios and networks. He is currently co-writing young-adult novels for Simon & Schuster imprint Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Shankman was a performing intern and junior company member of the prestigious Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. His choreography career kickstarted in 1989 with rapper MC Shan with director Julien Temple. He worked with acts including Tony! Toni! Toné!, The Time, Whitney Houston, and Aaron Neville and has won a Bob Fosse Award for Best Choreography in a Commercial. Later, Shankman moved into directing and has helmed Walt Disney Pictures' 'Disenchanted', the sequel to 'Enchanted', starring Amy Adams. Shankman actively promotes charitable causes such as AIDS Project Los Angeles, Feeding America, and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, among others. He even serves on the board of The Trevor Project and co-founded the DizzyFeet Foundation with Nigel Lythgoe. Shankman is openly gay.