Matt Williams is best known as the creator and Executive Producer of the hit series?Roseanne?and the co-creator and Executive Producer of?Home Improvement, one of the most successful programs in television history. Williams started his television career when he joined?The Cosby Show?during its premiere season and worked as a writer/producer on the show for three subsequent seasons. During his time with?Cosby, his work was honored with Emmy and Humanitas nominations, as well as sharing a Peabody Award for outstanding achievement in television writing. He also served as co-creator of the Cosby spin-off,?A Different World.
In 1989, Williams formed the bi-coastal production company Wind Dancer Films with principals Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean. Under the Wind Dancer banner, in addition to?Home Improvement, Williams co-created and executive produced?Carol & Company, starring Carol Burnette;?Buddies?with Dave Chappelle;?Thunder Alley;?Soul Man; and?Costello. Once again, his work received Emmy and Humanitas nominations and won numerous People's Choice Awards. He is currently an Executive Producer of the hit series?Ready Jet Go!, an animated children’s program for PBS.
In film, Williams co-wrote and produced Disney's award-winning?Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. He also served as Executive Producer for the critically acclaimed drama?Firelight?with Sophie Marceau; produced and directed?Where The Heart Is, starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd; produced Nancy Meyer's romantic comedy?What Women Want, with Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt; and co-wrote, produced and directed?Walker Payne?starring Jason Patric and Sam Shepard.
Williams and Wind Dancer Films collaborated with Identity Films on the feature film?As Cool As I Am, starring Sarah Bolger, Claire Danes, and James Marsden. Williams and Wind Dancer Films, along with Mandalay Vision, also produced the feature film Bernie, directed by Richard Linklater and starring Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey. Williams produced?The Keeping Room, a feature film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Hailee Steinfeld, Brit Marling and Sam Worthington.






? Jordan Matter
Adjunct Associate Professor, Film