Todd Phillips: podcast appearances and interviews

Todd Phillips, born Todd Philip Bunzl on December 20, 1970, is an American filmmaker known for directing a variety of popular films and for his focus on psychological and comedic themes. His career began in 1993, and throughout the 2000s he directed movies such as Road Trip, Old School, Starsky & Hutch, and School for Scoundrels. His prominence increased in the early 2010s with the success of The Hangover film series. In 2019, Phillips co-wrote and directed the film Joker, a psychological thriller based on the DC Comics character. The film premiered at the 76th Venice International Film Festival, where it received the top award, the Golden Lion. Joker received multiple accolades, and Phillips earned three Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, sharing the nominations with his co-writer Scott Silver. These nominations added to Phillips's previous recognition, including a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for Borat. The breadth of his work demonstrates a focus on boundary-pushing narratives within the comedy and thriller genres.