Will Gluck Bio
Will Gluck is an American filmmaker, songwriter, and composer who has built a successful career directing and producing mainstream feature films. He is best known for writing and directing romantic comedies and family films including Easy A (2010), Friends with Benefits (2011), the Peter Rabbit films (2018–2021), and Anyone but You (2023). Gluck began his career in television before transitioning to feature filmmaking, and he has established Olive Bridge Entertainment, a production company operating from Sony Pictures Entertainment and wiip. His films have collectively grossed over one billion dollars worldwide.
Early Life and Background
Will Gluck was born on November 7, 1978, in New York City, New York, United States. He grew up in a family with strong academic backgrounds. His mother is Carol Gluck, a renowned American academic and Japanologist, while his father is Peter L. Gluck, who works as an architect. This intellectual family environment provided Gluck with creative stimulation from an early age.
For his education, Gluck attended the United Nations International School, an institution known for its diverse international student body. He continued his higher education at Cornell University, where he further developed the skills and discipline that would later serve him in the entertainment industry. The combination of his New York upbringing and elite educational foundation shaped his approach to storytelling and filmmaking.
Path to Director
Will Gluck began his professional career as a television writer, working on several notable comedy series. His early credits include writing for Grosse Pointe, Luis, and Andy Richter Controls the Universe. These formative years in television taught him the fundamentals of dialogue, character development, and comedic timing, all of which would become hallmarks of his later feature films.
Gluck took a significant step in his career by co-creating and producing the Fox series The Loop with Pam Brady. This experience in creating and overseeing a television production helped him develop the leadership skills and creative vision necessary for transitioning to feature filmmaking. The television work provided him with a strong foundation in storytelling mechanics and production logistics.
Will Gluck Career
Early Career (2009–2010)
Will Gluck made his directorial debut in feature filmmaking with Fired Up, released on February 20, 2009. While the film received modest commercial success, it served as an important proving ground for Gluck as a director and gave him valuable experience managing a feature film production from start to finish.
His next project, Easy A (2010), became an instant critical and commercial success. The film starred Emma Stone in a breakout leading role, alongside supporting performances from Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Lisa Kudrow, and Penn Badgley. Easy A grossed $75 million worldwide and established Gluck as a skilled director capable of handling both comedy and dramatic elements. The film received nominations for a People’s Choice Award, a Golden Globe Award (for Emma Stone), and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy, which it won.
Breakthrough (2011–2014)
Gluck’s career breakthrough came with Friends with Benefits, released on July 22, 2011. The film starred Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis in the lead roles, with an ensemble cast including Woody Harrelson, Jenna Elfman, Richard Jenkins, Patricia Clarkson, and Emma Stone. The movie grossed over $150 million worldwide and was nominated for a People’s Choice Award and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy Film. This success solidified Gluck’s reputation as a go-to director for modern romantic comedies.
During this period, Gluck also co-created, directed, and produced The Michael J. Fox Show for NBC in 2013. The series marked Michael J. Fox’s return to television after a long hiatus and premiered to strong initial ratings of 16 million viewers. The show ran for one season before its cancellation in May 2014. In 2014, Gluck directed the musical remake Annie, filmed in New York City. The film starred Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannavale, and was produced by Gluck, Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Jay-Z. It grossed over $139 million worldwide.
Notable Works and Milestones
Will Gluck’s most commercially successful film to date is Peter Rabbit (2018), released on February 9, 2018. The film starred Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, and featured voice performances by James Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Debicki, and Sia. Peter Rabbit grossed over $351 million worldwide, making it Gluck’s highest-grossing film. He followed this success by co-writing, directing, and producing the sequel Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before releasing worldwide on June 11, 2021. The sequel earned over $150 million at the global box office.
His most recent major release is Anyone but You (2023), which he co-wrote, directed, and produced. The romantic comedy starred Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in the lead roles, with supporting cast including Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Dermot Mulroney, Hadley Robinson, Rachel Griffiths, Darren Barnet, Michelle Hurd, Bryan Brown, Charlee Fraser, and Joe Davidson. The film was released on December 22, 2023, and grossed over $240 million worldwide, demonstrating continued audience appetite for Gluck’s particular brand of romantic comedy.
Will Gluck Awards and Nominations
Throughout his career, Will Gluck has received recognition from various industry organizations. Easy A earned him nominations for a People’s Choice Award and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy, with the film winning the latter. Emma Stone received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. Friends with Benefits received nominations for a People’s Choice Award and a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy Film.
Will Gluck Production Company
Will Gluck founded and operates Olive Bridge Entertainment, a production company developing film and television content for major studios and streaming platforms. The company is based at Sony Pictures Entertainment, encompassing Columbia Pictures, and has a television partnership with wiip. Olive Bridge Entertainment has produced several notable projects including Woke for Hulu, Encore! for Disney+, Chicago Party Aunt for Netflix, and Sneakerhead for Netflix. The company maintains an active development slate working with various streaming and traditional studio partners.
Will Gluck Family
Will Gluck comes from a distinguished family background. His father, Peter L. Gluck, is an architect by profession. His mother, Carol Gluck, is a prominent American academic specializing as a Japanologist and has earned recognition for her contributions to scholarship. Gluck is married to Trista Gladden, and together they have two children.
Personal Life
Will Gluck is married to Trista Gladden, with whom he shares two children. Despite his public career in Hollywood, Gluck maintains a relatively private personal life. He continues to reside in the United States and remains active in both directing feature films and overseeing his production company’s various development projects.