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Jack Bender

{{Short description|American film and television director}}

{{distinguish|John Bender (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Jack Bender

| image = Jack Bender by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| imagesize = 220px

| caption = Bender at the 2013 ComicCon

| birthname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|09|25|mf=yes}}

| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = {{hlist|Television director|television producer|film director|television writer|actor}}

| years_active = 1971–present

| spouse = Laura Owens

| children = 2

| website =

}}

Jack Bender (born September 25, 1949) is an American television and film director, television producer and actor best known for his work as a director on Lost, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and From.

Biography

Bender grew up in a secular Jewish family in Los Angeles. His father was a furrier to the Hollywood community. He studied art with Los Angeles artist Martin Lubner (spouse of actress Joanna Merlin) and then went into acting "because it seemed like what I could do and make a living."{{cite news| url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/article/jack_benders_lost_and_found| newspaper=Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles| title=Jack Bender's lost and found| first=Jonathan| last=Maseng| date=January 7, 2015}} As an actor, Bender guest-starred on All in the Family, The Bob Newhart Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He co-starred in The Million Dollar Duck, Savage and McNaughton's Daughter. He then went into directing, working on a number of television series.

He directed the popular slasher film Child's Play 3 before becoming an executive producer and lead director on the ABC TV series Lost, directing 38 episodes of the show, including the series finale.{{cite web| url=http://screenrant.com/jj-abrams-directing-lost-season-6-finale-ross-8886/| author=Miller, Ross| title=J.J. Abrams Will NOT Direct The Lost Season 6 Finale| website=Screen Rant| access-date=2009-05-16| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520141924/http://screenrant.com/jj-abrams-directing-lost-season-6-finale-ross-8886| archive-date=2009-05-20}} Bender has also directed on other popular shows such as The Sopranos,{{cite web |website=HBO |title=The Sopranos cast and crew |url=http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/index.html#/the-sopranos/cast-and-crew/index.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614023208/http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/index.html#/the-sopranos/cast-and-crew/index.html |url-status=dead }} Carnivàle, Alias and Boston Public. In recent years he was an executive producer and lead director on the TV series Under the Dome (2013) and The Last Ship (2014–15). In 2016, Bender directed the fifth and sixth episodes of the sixth season of Game of Thrones, followed by episodes of Mr. Mercedes (2017-2019), a limited TV series adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name.{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-preview-1201533462/|title='Game of Thrones' New Director Teases Season 6, Why He's Treating Show Like 'Lost'| magazine=Variety| date=2 July 2015| access-date=8 March 2022}}

Bender received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for his direction of the Lost episodes "Live Together, Die Alone", "Through the Looking Glass" and the series finale "The End". He was also nominated for the Game of Thrones episode "The Door".

Family and personal life

Bender is married to Rabbi Laura Owens of B’nai Horin of Los Angeles. They have two daughters, Hannah and Sophie Owens-Bender.

Director

{{col-begin}}{{col-break}}

  • Eight Is Enough (1977) TV series
  • The Paper Chase (1978) TV series
  • A Real Naked Lady (1980)
  • Falcon Crest (1981) TV series
  • Fame (1982) TV series
  • King's Crossing (1982) TV series
  • In Love with an Older Woman (1982) (TV movie)
  • Two Kinds of Love (1983) (TV movie)
  • High School U.S.A. (1984) (failed TV pilot based on the 1983 film)
  • Shattered Vows (1984) (TV movie)
  • Deadly Messages (1985) (TV movie)
  • Letting Go (1985) (TV movie)
  • The Midnight Hour (1985) (TV movie)
  • Side by Side (1988) (TV movie)
  • Tricks of the Trade (1988) (TV movie)
  • Charlie (1989) (TV movie)
  • My Brother's Wife (1989) (TV movie)
  • Northern Exposure (1990) TV series
  • Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) TV series
  • Episode "The Game Is Chicken"
  • Episode "Home and Away"
  • Episode "Sentenced to Life"
  • The Dreamer of Oz (1990) (TV movie)
  • The Perfect Tribute (1991) (TV movie)
  • Child's Play 3 (1991)
  • Love Can Be Murder (1992) (TV movie)
  • Ned Blessing: The Story of My Life and Times (1993) TV series
  • Armed and Innocent (1994) (TV movie)
  • Gambler V: Playing for Keeps (1994) (TV movie)
  • Family Album (1994) (TV movie)
  • Lone Justice 2 (1995)
  • New York News (1995) TV Series
  • Nothing Lasts Forever (1995) (miniseries)
  • A Face to Die For (1996) (TV)
  • Sweet Dreams (1996) (TV movie)
  • Profiler (1996) TV series
  • Episode "Cycle Of Violence"
  • Episode "It Cuts Both Ways"
  • Episode "Modus Operandi"
  • Episode "Old Acquaintance"
  • Friends 'Til the End (1997) (TV movie)
  • Killing Mr. Griffin (1997) (TV movie)
  • A Call to Remember (1997) (TV movie)
  • Felicity (1998) TV series
  • Episode 2.21 "The Aretha Theory"
  • Episode 2.23 "The Biggest Deal There Is"
  • Episode 3.02 "The Anti-Natalie Intervention"
  • The Tempest (1998) (TV movie)
  • The Sopranos (1999) TV series
  • Episode 3.05 "Another Toothpick"{{cite web |website=HBO |title=The Sopranos – "Another Toothpick" |url=http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/3/31-another-toothpick/synopsis.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605071647/http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/3/31-another-toothpick/synopsis.html |url-status=dead }}
  • Episode 3.10 "...To Save Us All from Satan's Power"{{cite web |website=HBO |title=The Sopranos – "...To Save Us All from Satan's Power" |url=http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/3/36-to-save-us-all-from-satans-power/synopsis.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605071657/http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/3/36-to-save-us-all-from-satans-power/synopsis.html |url-status=dead }}
  • Episode 4.04 "The Weight"{{cite web |website=HBO |title=The Sopranos – "The Weight" |url=http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/4/43-the-weight/synopsis.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605071743/http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/4/43-the-weight/synopsis.html |url-status=dead }}
  • Episode 6.03 "Mayham"{{cite web |website=HBO |title=The Sopranos – "Mayham" |url=http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/6/68-mayham/synopsis.html |access-date=February 6, 2010 |archive-date=December 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226072657/http://www.hbo.com/the-sopranos/episodes/6/68-mayham/synopsis.html |url-status=dead }}
  • It Came from the Sky (1999) (TV)
  • Judging Amy (1999) TV series
  • Episode 1.02 "Short Calendar"
  • Episode 1.15 "Culture Clash"
  • Episode 1.17 "Drawing the Line"
  • Episode 2.09 "The Undertow"
  • Episode 2.16 "Everybody Falls Down"
  • Episode 3.02 "Off the Grid"
  • My Little Assassin (1999) (TV movie)
  • The David Cassidy Story (2000) (TV movie)
  • That's Life (2000) TV series
  • Boston Public (2000) TV series
  • Alias (2001) TV series
  • Episode 1.07 "Color-Blind"
  • Episode 1.10 "Spirit"
  • Episode 1.12 "The Box, Part 1"
  • Episode 1.13 "The Box, Part 2"
  • Episode 2.13 "Phase One"
  • Episode 3.03 "Reunion"
  • Episode 3.07 "Prelude"
  • Episode 3.10 "Remnants"
  • Episode 3.15 "Façade"
  • Episode 3.18 "Unveiled"
  • Episode 3.20 "Blood Ties"
  • Presidio Med (2002) TV series
  • Episode "Breathless"
  • Boomtown (2002) TV Series (episode "Blackout")
  • The Lone Ranger (2003) (TV film)
  • Carnivàle (2003) TV series
  • Episode 1.09 "Insomnia"{{cite episode |title=Insomnia |series=Carnivàle |series-link=Carnivàle |credits=Jack Bender (director), William Schmidt (writer) |network=HBO |airdate=2003-11-09 |season=1 |number=9}}
  • Episode 2.02 "Alamogordo, NM"{{cite episode |title=Alamogordo, NM |series=Carnivàle |credits=Jack Bender (director), William Schmidt (writer) | network=HBO |airdate=2005-01-16 |season=2 |number=2}}
  • Joan of Arcadia (2003) TV series
  • The Lyon's Den (2003) TV series
  • Lost (2004–2010) TV series
  • Episode 1.03 "Tabula Rasa"{{cite episode |title=Tabula Rasa |series=Lost |series-link=Lost (2004 TV series) |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof (writer) |network=ABC |airdate=2004-10-06 |season=1 | number=3}}
  • Episode 1.04 "Walkabout"{{cite episode |title=Walkabout |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), David Fury (writer) |network=ABC |airdate=2004-10-13 |season=1 |number=4}}
  • Episode 1.07 "The Moth"{{cite episode |title=The Moth |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Jennifer Johnson & Paul Dini (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2004-11-03 |season=1 |number=7}}
  • Episode 1.12 "Whatever the Case May Be"{{cite episode |title=Whatever the Case May Be |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof & Jennifer Johnson (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2005-01-05 |season=1 |number=12}}
  • Episode 1.16 "Outlaws"{{cite episode |title=Outlaws |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Drew Goddard (writer) |network=ABC |airdate=2005-02-16 |season=1 |number=16}}
  • Episode 1.23 "Exodus: Part 1"{{cite episode |title=Exodus: Part 1 |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2005-05-18 |season=1 |number=23}}
  • Episode 1.24/1.25 "Exodus: Part 2"{{cite episode |title=Exodus: Part 2 |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2005-05-25 |season=1 |number=24}}
  • Episode 2.01 "Man of Science, Man of Faith"{{cite episode |title=Man of Science, Man of Faith |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof (writer) |network=ABC |airdate=2005-09-21 |season=2 |number=1}}
  • Episode 2.03 "Orientation"{{cite episode |title=Orientation |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Javier Grillo-Marxuach & Craig Wright (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2005-10-05 |season=2 |number=3}}
  • Episode 2.12 "Fire and Water"{{cite episode |title=Fire and Water |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2006-01-25 |season=2 |number=12}}
  • Episode 2.15 "Maternity Leave"{{cite episode |title=Maternity Leave |episode-link=Maternity Leave (Lost) |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Dawn Lambertsen Kelly & Matt Ragghianti (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2006-03-01 |season=2 |number=15}}
  • Episode 2.18 "Dave"{{cite episode |title=Dave |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2006-04-05 |season=2 |number=18}}
  • Episode 2.23/2.24 "Live Together, Die Alone"{{cite episode |title=Live Together, Die Alone |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2006-05-24 |season=2 |number=23}}
  • Episode 3.01 "A Tale of Two Cities"{{cite episode |title=A Tale of Two Cities |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), J. J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2006-10-04 |season=3 |number=1}}
  • Episode 3.05 "The Cost of Living"{{cite episode |title=The Cost of Living |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Alison Schapker & Monica Owusu-Breen (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2006-11-01 |season=3 |number=5}}
  • Episode 3.08 "Flashes Before Your Eyes"{{cite episode |title=Flashes Before Your Eyes |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof & Drew Goddard (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2007-02-14 |season=3 |number=8}}
  • Episode 3.13 "The Man from Tallahassee"{{cite episode |title=The Man from Tallahassee |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Drew Goddard & Jeff Pinkner (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2007-03-21 |season=3 |number=13}}
  • Episode 3.16 "One of Us"{{cite episode |title=One Of Us |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Carlton Cuse & Drew Goddard (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2007-04-11 |season=3 |number=16}}
  • Episode 3.22/3.23 "Through the Looking Glass"{{cite episode |title=Through the Looking Glass |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2007-05-23 |season=3 |number=22}}
  • Episode 4.01 "The Beginning of the End"{{cite episode |title=The Beginning of the End |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2008-01-31 |season=4 |number=1}}
  • Episode 4.03 "The Economist"{{cite episode |title=The Economist |series=Lost |credits = Jack Bender (director), Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2008-02-14 |season=4 |number=3}}
  • Episode 4.05 "The Constant"{{cite episode |title=The Constant |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2008-02-28 |season=4 |number=5}}
  • Episode 4.09 "The Shape of Things to Come"{{cite episode | title=The Shape of Things to Come |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Brian K. Vaughn & Drew Goddard (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2008-04-24 |season=4 |number=9}}
  • Episode 4.13/4.14 "There's No Place Like Home, Part 2"{{cite episode |title=There's No Place Like Home, Part 2 |series=Lost |credits=Jack Bender (director), Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse (writers) |network=ABC |airdate=2008-05-29 |season=4 |number=13}}
  • Episode 5.02 "The Lie"
  • Episode 5.07 "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham"
  • Episode 5.09 "Namaste"
  • Episode 5.13 "Some Like It Hoth"
  • Episode 5.16/5.17 "The Incident"
  • Episode 6.01/6.02 "LA X"
  • Episode 6.05 "Lighthouse"
  • Episode 6.08 "Recon"
  • Episode 6.11 "Happily Ever After"
  • Episode 6.14 "The Candidate"
  • Episode 6.17/6.18 "The End"
  • Alcatraz (2012) TV series
  • Episode 1.02 "Ernest Cobb"
  • Episode 1.03 "Kit Nelson"
  • Episode 1.10 "Clarence Montgomery"
  • Episode 1.11 "Webb Porter"
  • Rewind (2013) (failed TV pilot)
  • Under the Dome (2013) TV series
  • Episode 1.02 "The Fire"
  • Episode 1.05 "Blue on Blue"
  • Episode 1.08 "Thicker Than Water"
  • Episode 1.13 "Curtains"
  • Episode 2.01 "Heads Will Roll"
  • Episode 2.06 "In the Dark"
  • Episode 2.08 "Awakening"
  • Episode 2.11 "Black Ice"
  • Episode 2.13 "Go Now"
  • The Last Ship (2014) TV series
  • Episode 1.02 "Welcome to Gitmo"
  • Episode 1.03 "Dead Reckoning"
  • Episode 1.04 "We'll Get There"
  • Episode 1.09 "Trials"
  • Episode 2.01 "Unreal City"
  • Episode 2.02 "Fight the Ship"
  • Episode 2.05 "Achilles"
  • Episode 2.13 "A More Perfect Union"
  • Game of Thrones (2016) TV series
  • Episode 6.5 "The Door"
  • Episode 6.6 "Blood of My Blood"
  • From (2022) TV series
  • Episode 1.01 "Long Day's Journey Into Night"
  • Episode 1.02 "The Way Things Are Now"
  • Episode 1.03 "Choosing Day"
  • Episode 1.04 "A Rock and a Farway"
  • Episode 2.01 "Strangers in a Strange Land"
  • Episode 2.02 "The Kindness of Strangers"
  • Episode 2.05 "Lullaby"
  • Episode 2.06 "Pas de Deux"
  • Episode 2.09 "Ball of Magic Fire"
  • Episode 2.10 "Once Upon a Time?"
  • Episode 3.01 "Shatter"
  • Episode 3.02 "When We Go"
  • Episode 3.03 "Mouse Trap"
  • Episode 3.04 "There and Back Again"
  • Mr. Mercedes (2017-2019) (limited TV series)
  • Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen (2018)
  • The Institute (TBA) TV series

{{col-end}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{IMDb name|0070474}}

{{Jack Bender}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bender, Jack}}

Category:1949 births

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:American television directors

Category:Film directors from Los Angeles

Category:Jewish American male actors

Category:Jewish American film people

Category:Jews from California

Category:Living people

Category:Television producers from California

Category:University of Southern California alumni