Randall Wallace
Born (1949-07-28) July 28, 1949
Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma materDuke University
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, film director, film producer
Websitewallaceentertainment.com

Randall Wallace (born July 28, 1949) is an American screenwriter, film director and producer who came to prominence by writing the screenplay for the historical drama film Braveheart (1995).[1] His work on the film earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and a Writers Guild of America Award in the same category. He has since directed films such as The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), We Were Soldiers (2002), Secretariat (2010) and Heaven Is for Real (2014).[2]

Early life and education

Born in Jackson, Tennessee, he lived in Memphis and Henderson County, Tennessee before moving to Virginia. Wallace began writing stories at the age of seven. He graduated from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia and attended Duke University, where he studied Russian, religion, and literature and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He put himself through a graduate year of seminary by teaching martial arts. Wallace holds a black belt in karate.[3]

Career

After managing an animal show at Nashville's Opryland, Wallace moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in singing and songwriting. He began writing short stories, novels and scripts for movies. Wallace was taken under the wing of leading television producer Stephen J. Cannell and spent several years writing for television in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

He gained recognition and commercial success by penning the screenplay for Braveheart (1995), which was inspired by a trip to Scotland to learn more about his Scottish roots. While there, he discovered the legend of the medieval Scottish patriot William Wallace; he is not, however, related to William Wallace in any way. Braveheart became Wallace's first screenplay to be produced, after drawing the interest of Mel Gibson, who went on to produce, direct and star in the film. It ended up as one of the most successful films of 1995, earning over $200 million. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including a Best Original Screenplay nomination for Wallace, and won five, including the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. Braveheart also won one Golden Globe Award and four BAFTA Awards.

Wallace made his directorial debut with his own screenplay in The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), starring Leonardo DiCaprio, John Malkovich, Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons and Gérard Depardieu. Shortly after, he wrote the screenplay for Pearl Harbor (2001), directed by Michael Bay and starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale.

This was followed by Wallace's second film as director We Were Soldiers (2002), on which Wallace re-teamed with Mel Gibson. It was about the Battle of Ia Drang (1965) during the Vietnam War, based on the memoir by Lieutenant General Hal Moore.

Wallace directed Disney's Secretariat (2010), the true story of the racehorse that won the Triple Crown in 1973. The film chronicled the struggles and courage of owner Penny Chenery-Tweedy, portrayed by Academy Award-nominated actress Diane Lane. Wallace also wrote the end title song, It's Who You Are, which was released with the Secretariat soundtrack.[4]

Wallace's next directorial project was the religious drama Heaven Is for Real (2014), based on the story of the same name. In June 2016, Wallace stated that he and Gibson had begun work on The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection (2024), a sequel to The Passion of the Christ (2004), which will focus on the resurrection of Jesus, and the events surrounding the resurrection.[5]

Other work

Wallace is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels and the lyricist of the hymn "Mansions of the Lord", originally written for We Were Soldiers and performed as the recessional for President Ronald Reagan's national funeral.[6]

In 2008, Wallace wrote several songs with singer/songwriter Richard Marx. One of those songs, "Flame In Your Fire", appears on Marx's album Emotional Remains.

In interviews he has acknowledged a deep commitment to Christianity, which he credits as an influence on his approach to filmmaking.[3][7]

He appeared in the seventh season episode 3 "Dramedy" of HBO's comedy series Entourage as himself.

In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Wallace is the founder of Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity and the father of two sons. In 1999, he formed his own company, Wheelhouse Entertainment, which is focused on creating entertainment for worldwide audiences based on the classic values of love, courage and honor.

Wallace was the speaker at the Fellowship Foundation National Prayer Breakfast on February 3, 2011.[8]

Wallace served as the commencement speaker at the Liberty University graduation ceremony on May 14, 2011.[9]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
Director Writer Producer
1995 Braveheart No Yes No Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated – Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay
1998 The Man in the Iron Mask Yes Yes Yes
2001 Pearl Harbor No Yes Executive Stinkers Bad Movie Award for Worst Screenplay for a Film Grossing More than $100 Million
Nominated – Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay
2002 We Were Soldiers Yes Yes Yes
2010 Secretariat Yes No No Christopher Award for Best Feature Film
Movieguide Award for Best Film for Mature Audiences
2014 Heaven Is for Real Yes Yes No Nominated – Real to Reel Grand Jury Prize for Best Independent Feature

Television

Year Title Role Notes
Director Writer Producer
1986 Hunter No Yes No Episode: "Fagin 1986"
Starman No Yes No Episode: "Secrets"
1987 Stingray No Yes No Episode: "Anywhere, Anytime"
1987–88 J.J. Starbuck No Yes Yes 3 episodes
1988 Sonny Spoon No Yes Executive Creator
1989 Unsub No Yes No 2 episodes
1990–91 Broken Badges No Yes Executive Creator
1996 Dark Angel No Story No Television film
2015 Point of Honor Yes Yes Executive

References

  1. ↑ "Personality Profile – Randall Wallace | Joan Tupponce". Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Randall Wallace Online". Randall Wallace Online. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Stagg, Elizabeth (Winter 2005). "Seeking the Holy Among the Sacred and Profane". Divinity Online Edition. Four (2). Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  4. ↑ Goodwyn , Hannah (2010). "Director Randall Wallace on Secretariat". Christian Broadcasting Network.
  5. ↑ Bond, Paul (June 9, 2016)."Mel Gibson planning Passion of the Christ sequel (exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Reagan Services's 'Mansions of the Lord'". NPR. June 14, 2004. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ David, Eric (October 18, 2006). "Hero Maker". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
  8. ↑ Wallace, Randall (February 3, 2011). "Fellowship Foundation National Prayer Breakfast". C-Span Video Library. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  9. ↑ Wallace, Randall (March 28, 2011). "Filmmaker Randall Wallace to speak at Commencement". Retrieved May 14, 2011.
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