James Schamus

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Birth Name: James Allan Schamus

Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 7, 1959

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

James Schamus is an American screenwriter, producer, business executive, film historian, professor, and director. He wrote and directed the film Indignation (2016). A frequent collaborator of Ang Lee, he wrote Ang’s films The Ice Storm, Ride with the Devil, and Taking Woodstock, and co-wrote Ang’s films Pushing Hands, The Wedding Banquet, Eat Drink Man Woman, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Hulk (2003), and Lust, Caution. He also co-wrote The King’s Daughter. He co-founded production company Good Machine, was a co-founder and CEO of production and distribution company Focus Features, and is president of production company Symbolic Exchange. He was a producer on most of Ang’s films.

James is the son of Clarita and Julian John Schamus. He was raised in Los Angeles, California. James is married to poet and author Nancy Kricorian, with whom he has two children. Nancy is of Armenian and French-Canadian descent.

James’ paternal grandfather was Abraham Schamus (the son of Solomon/Samuel Schamus and Sarah Fischell/Leoniff). Abraham was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. Solomon was the son of Louis Barron. Sarah was the daughter of Eliazer Fischel and Goldie.

James’ paternal grandmother was Esther Golinsky/Galen (the daughter of Jacob Galen/Golinsky and Rose Berkowitz). Esther was born in Ohio, to a Russian Jewish family. Jacob was the son of Simon Golinsky and Hian Linchush. Rose was the daughter of Avram Berkowitz and Odessah.

James’ maternal grandfather was Max Gershowitz (the son of Isaac Gershowitz and Rebecca Weinberg). Max was born in Volkovisk, Belarus.

James’ maternal grandmother was Estelle Anker (the daughter of Phillip Anker and Sarah Byna Birnbaum). Estelle was born in Volhynia, Russia, now part of Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. Phillip was born in Kupel, Russia, now Ukraine, the son of Modil Halvey Ancher. Sarah was born in Russia, the daughter of Velvel Birnbaum and Shayna Bella Anker.

Source: Genealogy of James Schamus – http://www.geni.com