Don’t Kill the Messenger welcomes Oscar-winning producer and Hollywood mogul, Brian Grazer

In this episode of Don’t Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz interviews legendary producer Brian Grazer. As co-founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard, Grazer’s films and television shows have earned 47 Oscar nominations and 242 Emmy nominations, with his movies grossing nearly $15 billion globally. Known for hits like A Beautiful Mind (which won him the Academy Award for Best Picture), Apollo 13, and Friday Night Lights, Grazer opens up about the power of curiosity, the secret to his 40-year partnership with Ron Howard, and the magic of connecting with audiences through emotionally elevated storytelling.

Kevin Goetz on Brian Grazer:

You are one of my favorite people in the entire business for so many years and for so many reasons. There’s a sense of humility that you have that you’ve retained despite your enormous success, and I think that’s your superpower.

A transformative moment came when Grazer watched E.T. at the Cinerama Dome. This experience would shape his entire approach to filmmaking and define the kind of emotional impact he wanted his own movies to have:

“Always going to a movie theater was the experience that was really hostile and aggressive, fighting for a parking spot, fighting for a ticket, trying to get in the line for the food and hope your seat doesn’t get taken. Endless stuff like that… The movie E.T., everyone did exactly the same thing, aggression, but the end of the movie, zero aggression, zero, no pushing, no shoving, people’s consciousness, emotional energy, everything was elevated in a transcendent way… And I thought, I want to make movies that lead to an ending like that, where you are elevated, you’re inspired, it’s aspirational.”

Oscar Night Memories

Grazer’s refreshingly candid account of winning an Academy Award reveals both the pressure and joy of the moment. His vulnerability in sharing this experience offers a rare glimpse into the reality of Hollywood’s biggest night:

“The thing that heightened my sense of nerves was in the front row of the Oscars were all of the female stars that were making a difference in that generation. Renee Zellweger, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman… And I saw Nicole Kidman’s lips move like, Brian, you can do it. And it was so moving to me… because all those girls knew me personally.”

The Art of Human Connection

Throughout his career, Grazer has approached every world “with a beginner’s mind, with complete innocence, whether it’s science, medicine, politics, religion, all art forms.” This philosophy led to two books about the power of curiosity and human connection. His approach to decision-making remains deeply informed by these countless conversations: “I’m not coming to any decision that’s certainly creative as a dilettante. I’ve talked to such a variety of people and really paid attention.”

Grazer’s remarkable career demonstrates the power of curiosity, emotional storytelling, and human connection in creating impactful entertainment. From his early days selling newspaper subscriptions to winning an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind, Grazer’s journey shows how maintaining humility, following one’s instincts, and seeking deeper meaning in stories can lead to a legacy of success in Hollywood.

For the full conversation, check out the podcast episode here. And let us know your thoughts on the episode in the comments!

Don’t Kill the Messenger, hosted by movie and entertainment research expert Kevin Goetz, brings his book Audienceology to life. This bi-monthly podcast takes a peek behind the filmmaking curtain as Kevin talks with famous filmmakers, studio executives, stars, and other creatives about movies, filmmaking, audience test screenings, and much more.