Robert Shapiro

Who is Robert Shapiro?

Robert Shapiro is an American film producer who was the president of theatrical film production at Warner Bros.

Shapiro started working in the proverbial mailroom of the William Morris Agency. Advancing through the firm's ranks, he served as head of the television talent department and vice president of its motion picture department. He was named as managing director of the firm's London office at age 28. Back in the United States, William Morris named him as head of the international motion picture department in 1974, where he advised directors on writers on the steps they needed to take to get their ideas produced as films by the studios.

He left William Morris to start his own production company and was hired by Warner Bros. In December 1980, Shapiro was promoted from vice president of worldwide production to president of theatrical film production.

Shapiro resigned abruptly from Warner Bros. in July 1983, announcing that he become an independent producer at the studio, based on his understanding of his agreement with the studio that he could become an independent producer "whenever the timing seemed appropriate and beneficial to all concerned".