Mark L. Lester Net Worth

✎ About Mark L. Lester

Who is it?: Producer, Director, Writer

Birth Place: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Occupation: Film director, film producer, screenwriter

Mark L. Lester was born on November 26, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, is Producer, Director, Writer. Director, writer and producer Mark L. Lester has created high-action films throughout his career, including some of the world's biggest box office draws. His directorial expertise has garnered praise for such films as Arnold Schwarzenegger's box-office mega-hit Commando (1985), Stephen King's supernatural thriller Firestarter (1984) with Drew Barrymore and Martin Sheen, Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) starring Dolph Lundgren and the late Brandon Lee in his first major role, and two frighteningly prophetic films about the state of society: Class of 1984 (1982) with Michael J. Fox in his first film role and the sequel, Class of 1999 (1990). In addition to receiving international critical acclaim, Lester's films are box-office hits. "Commando" was an international success story, grossing over $120 million, and "Class of 1984" was a #1 US box-office draw and became the top-grossing film in many major markets around the world.Lester's career as a director was launched when his first feature project, the highly acclaimed Twilight of the Mayas (1971), won top honors at the Venice Film Festival. His breakout film was the disco-era story Roller Boogie (1979), starring Linda Blair. He also directed the smash comedy Armed and Dangerous (1986), starring John Candy and Meg Ryan. Included in his earlier credits are such non-stop action films as Steel Arena (1973), Truck Stop Women (1974), Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw (1976) and Stunts (1977). Having amassed credits on more than 17 films, Lester founded and became President of American World Pictures in 1993, devoting himself to producing and distributing films in the same genres he helped to popularize.Since the company's formation, Lester has created an impressive body of work. He has produced and directed Pterodactyl (2005), the highest-rated Sci-Fi Channel feature film; thrillers Groupie (2010), White Rush (2003) and Stealing Candy (2003); the action-packed Betrayal (2003); the thriller Sacrifice (2000) with Michael Madsen; the action-thrillers Blowback (2000) and Hitman's Run (1999); the military thrillers The Base (1999) and Guilty as Charged (2000); the suspense thrillers Misbegotten (1997), Double Take (1997) and The Ex (1996); Public Enemies (1996), with Theresa Russell and James Marsden; Night of the Running Man (1995) starring Scott Glenn and Andrew McCarthy; and the acclaimed action thriller Extreme Justice (1993). In addition, Lester has produced many other successful films, including Jabberwock (2011), Sinbad and the Minotaur (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2009), Yeti: Curse of the Snow Demon (2008), Roanoke: The Lost Colony (2007) and Day of Wrath (2006) starring Christopher Lambert.For more than 20 years, Mark L. Lester has overseen the development and distribution of over 100 films at American World Pictures. He founded Titan Global Entertainment in 2012 to continue producing and directing quality features for many years to come.
Mark L. Lester is a member of Producer

💰 Net worth: Under Review

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Biography/Timeline

1970

After his debut in 1970 with the film Twilight of the Mayas, Lester quickly became a prolific B-movie Director, initially making his mark with a trio of road movies designed for the drive-in market, Steel Arena, Truck Stop Women, and Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw. In 1977, he directed the high-concept thriller Stunts, an early outing for New Line Cinema starring Robert Forster, Joanna Cassidy, and Richard Lynch with a score composed by Michael Kamen. Two years later, he jumped on the disco bandwagon with Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair. The film had a significantly higher budget then his previous films and was the first to be distributed by a major studio. While it received negative reviews upon its initial release, it has since gained cult status as a proverbial time capsule of the bygone Disco Era. to modest success. He then made the exploitation action crime-thriller Class of 1984, a film revolving around a violence in an inner-city school. The Canadian-made production, which featured an early appearance by Michael J. Fox, was controversial at the time of release, but has since gained cult status.

1984

Lester entered the mainstream in 1984 with the Stephen King adaptation Firestarter, and had his biggest hit the following year with Commando, a big-budget Joel Silver-produced Arnold Schwarzenegger action film that grossed over $57 million worldwide. He also directed and produced his sole comedy, Armed and Dangerous starring John Candy, Eugene Levy and Meg Ryan in 1986. In 1990, he directed Class of 1999, a semi-sequel to Class of 1984 starring Malcolm McDowell, Pam Grier, and Stacy Keach. Then in 1991, he directed the cult classic Showdown in Little Tokyo starring Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee.

2012

He also founded American World Pictures, an independent production and distribution company. Recent films include The Base, an action film; the thrillers Blowback and Hitman's Run; and for TV, Pterodactyl (produced for the Sci Fi Channel). In 2012, after getting a divorce from Dubovsky, he formed a new distribution company called Titan Global Entertainment.

2013

In January 2013, almost 10 years after directing his last picture, Lester helmed the film Poseidon Rex on location in Belize. The production was disrupted briefly when its lead, Corin Nemec was severely injured during a boating accident while the Belizean Coast Guard was transporting the cast to set. He was replaced by Charmed co-star, Brian Krause.