See how University of Iowa alumni from a wide range of disciplines have launched award-winning careers in film and TV. In Iowa City, you’ll find space to experiment, innovate, and shape your path in the industry.
2010s
Ben Palmer
BA in Cinema, 2021
Worked on films including Dream Scenario
Molly Brown
BA in Theatre Arts with a Minor in Political Science, 2015
Known for TV roles including Dexter: Original Sin
Kelly Gallagher
MFA in Film and Video Production (Cinematic Arts), 2015
Known for short films such as Pearl Pistols
Louisa Hill
MFA in Playwriting, 2012
Written for TV shows including Evil
Jennifer Silverman
MFA in Playwriting, 2012
Written for TV shows including Tales of the City
Justin Williams
BA in Cinema, 2010
Editor for films including Immediate Family
2000s
Sarah Heyward
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 2009
Known for series including Girls and Modern Love
Louis Virtel
BA in Journalism and Theatre, 2008
Known as a writer for TV shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
BA in Communications, 2007
Known for films including A Quiet Place, 65, and Heretic
Tommy Haines
BA in Cinema, 2005
Known for Saving Brinton and Hockeyland
Lila Byock
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 2004
Known for series including The Watchmen and Castle Rock
Paul Rust
BA in Cinema with a Minor in Theatre, 2004
Known for the series Love and various films
Isaiah Scales
BA in Journalism and Mass Communication, 2004
Senior Manager for Walt Disney Creative Services
Sam Shaw
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 2004
Known for series including Manhattan and Castle Rock
Andrew Stahl
BA in English, 2004
Worked on Top Gun: Maverick, Oppenheimer, and Madame Web
Alexander Rubinow
BA in Computer Science and Communication Studies with specialization in media studies and film, 2001
Editor for series including The Deadliest Catch
Diablo Cody
BA in Communications, 2000
Known for Juno, Jennifer’s Body, and Tully
Susan Kim
BA in Communications with a Minor in Theatre Arts, 2000
Editor for TV series including Pachinko and A Small Light
1990s
Eric Leiderman
BA in Communication Studies, 1999
Known as a longtime producer of Late Night with Seth Meyers
Tanna Frederick
BA in Theatre and Political Science, 1998
Known for film roles including Hollywood Dreams
D.B. Weiss
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 1998
Known for series including Game of Thrones
Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton
BAs in Communications Studies, 1997 and 1998
Known for films the Saw franchise and other horror
Keith Josef Adkins
MFA in Playwriting, 1996
Known for TV series including The Outer Banks
Rick Cleveland
MFA in Playwriting, 1995
Known for series including Mad Men and The West Wing
Keith Huff
MFA in Playwriting, 1994
Known for series including Mad Men and House of Cards
Dan Davis
BM in Music Performance, 1992
Worked on docu-series on TLC, A&E, Discovery, PBS and more
Don Hall
BFA in Drawing and Painting, 1991
Known for Disney films such as Big Hero 6 and Moana
David Conley
BA in Communication Studies, 1990
Best known as Executive VFX Producer at Weta Studios overseeing films such as Avatar
Peter Craig
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 1990s
Known for films including The Batman and The Town
Colin Egglesfeld
BS in Biology, 1990s
Known for film and TV roles including All My Children
Jake Johnson
Jake Johnson studied theatre at Iowa in the 1990s.
Known for films and series including New Girl
Ashton Kutcher
A native of Cedar Rapids, Ashton Kutcher attended the UI in the 1990s, studying chemical engineering.
Known for series and films including That 70s Show
Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh attended the UI briefly in the 1990s, studying writing.
Known for films and series including Superman Returns
D. B. Woodside
D. B. Woodside attended graduate school the UI in theatre in 1990s.
Known for series such as Lucifer and The Night Agent
1980s
Robert Lorenz
BA in Broadcasting and Film, 1989
Produced numerous films by Clint Eastwood
Julia Gibson
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1984
Known for films and series including Michael Clayton
Erik Charleston
BM in Music Performance, 1983
Heard on numerous film soundtracks from Moonrise Kingdom to Barbie
Tom Arnold
Studied business administration and writing in the early 1980s
Known for films and series including Roseanne
Toby Huss
Toby Huss attended the UI in the 1980s before moving to LA and making a career as an actor and voice actor.
Known for series and films including King of the Hill
1970s
John Falsey
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 1978
Known for TV series including Northern Exposure
Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 1977 (Green); BA in History, 1978 (Burgess)
Known for series including The Sopranos and Blue Bloods
Ana Mendieta
MFA in Intermedia, 1977
Known for experimental film and video art
Mark Johnson
MA in Speech and Communications and Theatre, 1973
Known for films including Rain Man and The Natural
Jeanne Jordan
BA in English, 1973
Editor for TV series including Eyes on the Prize
Kathleen Dore
BA in Broadcasting and Film, 1972
Former President of Bravo and other cable networks
Adam Lefevre
BA, 1972, followed by the MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop
Known for film and TV roles including Law & Order
Barry Kemp
BA in Speech and Dramatic Arts, 1971
Known for films and series including Newhart and Coach
David Milch
MFA in Creative Writing, Writers' Workshop, 1970
Known for series including Hill Street Blues and Deadwood
Terry O'Quinn
Attended the UI in the 1970s
Known for film and TV roles including Lost
1960s
Mary Beth Hurt
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1968
Known for film roles including The World According to Garp
Nicholas Meyer
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1968
Known for films including Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Linda Carleson
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1967
Known for film and TV roles including Newhart
Bruce French
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art
Known for film and TV roles including Passions
John Getz
Attended the UI in the 1960s
Known for film and TV roles including The Fly
1950s
Gene Wilder
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1955
Known for film roles including Young Frankenstein
Greg Morris
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, mid-1950s
Known for TV roles including Mission Impossible
Candace Hilligoss
Attended the UI in the 1950s studying theater
Known for film roles including Carnival of Souls
Jean Seaberg
Studied dramatic arts at the UI in the 1950s
Known for film roles including Breathless / A bout de souffle
1930s-1940s
John Anderson
MA in Drama, 1949
Known for TV roles including MacGyver
Charles Guggenheim
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art & History, 1948
Known for documentaries including Robert Kennedy Remembered
Stewart Stern
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1943
Known for films including Rebel Without a Cause
Norman Felton
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1940
Known for TV series including Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Jock Mahoney
Attended the UI in the early 1940s
Known for film roles including several Tarzan films
Henderson Forsythe
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1939
Known for films and TV roles including As the World Turns
Tennessee Williams
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1938
Known for plays and screenplays including A Streetcar Named Desire
MacDonald Carey
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1935
Known for film and TV roles including Shadow of a Doubt
Richard Maibaum
BA in Speech and Dramatic Art, 1931
Screenwriter for numerous James Bond films
Don DeFore
Attended the UI in the early 1930s
Known for film and TV roles including Ozzy and Harriet