Justin Zackham

Biography

Justin Zackham is an American screenwriter, film director, and producer best known for creating emotionally resonant stories that explore friendship, family, and personal redemption. He gained international recognition as the writer of The Bucket List and later established himself as a director with several feature films spanning comedy and drama.

Early Life and Education

Justin Zackham was born in the United States and developed an early interest in storytelling and cinema. He pursued formal education in film and writing, studying at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, one of the most prestigious film schools in the country. His training there helped shape his narrative style, which often blends heartfelt emotion with humor.

Breakthrough: The Bucket List

Zackham’s most significant breakthrough came with the screenplay for The Bucket List (2007), directed by Rob Reiner and starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

The film tells the story of two terminally ill men who escape from a cancer ward to fulfill their life dreams before they die. The concept of a “bucket list” — a list of things to do before one “kicks the bucket” — became widely popular following the film’s release. The movie was both a commercial success and a cultural phenomenon, solidifying Zackham’s reputation as a gifted storyteller.

Interestingly, Zackham has shared that the idea for the screenplay was inspired by his own personal list of life goals, which later evolved into the film’s central theme.

Directorial Career

After achieving success as a screenwriter, Zackham moved into directing. His directorial debut was Going Greek, a comedy set in the world of college fraternities.

He later directed:

The Big Wedding – A romantic comedy featuring an ensemble cast including Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, and Robin Williams.

The Forger – A crime drama starring John Travolta, centered around an art forger trying to reconnect with his son.

Through these projects, Zackham demonstrated versatility, shifting from broad comedy to more intimate, character-driven drama.