David Anspaugh: Movies & Box Office

David Anspaugh, born on September 24, 1946 in Decatur, Indiana, is an American film and television director whose career has spanned more than five decades, marked by a deep connection to his Midwestern roots and a reputation for crafting emotionally resonant sports dramas. After earning a bachelor's degree from Indiana University Bloomington he spent several years in Aspen, Colorado, working as a substitute teacher and ski instructor before enrolling in the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he began to hone his craft behind the camera. His early professional work as an associate producer on television films paved the way for a breakthrough in the early 1980s when he joined the production team of the acclaimed series Hill Street Blues, eventually earning two Primetime Emmy Awards for his contributions and a Directors Guild of America Award for directing. The success of that series opened doors to other high‑profile television projects such as St. Elsewhere and Miami Vice, establishing him as a versatile director capable of handling complex narratives and gritty realism. Anspaugh’s feature‑film debut came with the 1986 classic Hoosiers, a nostalgic sports drama that chronicles a small‑town Indiana basketball team’s improbable run to the state championship; the film garnered two Academy Award nominations, was later selected for the Library of Congress National Film Registry, and continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest sports movies ever made. He followed Hoosiers with a string of notable titles including Fresh Horses, Rudy, Moonlight and Valentino, WiseGirls, The Game of Their Lives, and Little Red Wagon, each reflecting his talent for blending character depth with compelling storytelling. In addition to his work on the big screen, Anspaugh has directed numerous television movies and, more recently, returned to his hometown to teach directing at Indiana University, direct stage productions for the Bloomington Playwrights Project, and even make an acting debut in a local theatrical piece. Throughout his career he has remained committed to mentoring emerging talent and preserving the cultural heritage of Indiana athletics, earning honors such as the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana’s Governor’s Arts Award, and induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. His personal life has included two marriages—first to cruise line sales manager Tamara Kramer (1974‑1988) and later to actress Roma Downey (1995‑1998)—and he is the father of two daughters, Vanessa and Reilly Marie.