From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the documentary director. For the article about the curler, see Jamie Johnson (curler).

James Wittenborn Johnson (b. 1979) is one of the great-grandsons of the founder of Johnson & Johnson Inc. He received attention when he made a documentary in 2003 called "Born Rich" which was purchased by HBO. The film was described as "a documentary on children of the insanely rich, directed by one of their own, Johnson & Johnson Inc. heir Jamie Johnson." It consists primarily of Johnson interviewing his friends and peers about the experience of living life free of financial constraints. These interviews are offset by Johnson's exploration of his own experience and family. Jamie's uncle is screenwriter and novelist Dirk Wittenborn, whom Jamie credits with encouraging him to make a documentary about the experience of wealthy children.

The documentary was nominated for two Emmy Awards including 'Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming' for the director, Jamie Johnson. The other nomination was in the category 'Outstanding Nonfiction Special' for the producers: Sheila Nevins (executive producer), Dirk Wittenborn (produced by) and Jamie Johnson (producer).

Johnson's newest project, The One Percent, had its world premiere at the TriBeCa Film Festival on April 29, 2006. The 80-minute feature discusses the challenges America faces as a society in which one percent of the people control nearly half the total wealth. The film features Robert Reich, Bill Gates Sr., Milton Friedman, and many others, coming from various socioeconomic strata, including residents of Chicago's infamous Cabrini Green housing project and Hurricane Katrina victims. The film was co-produced by Johnson and Nick Kurzon and is currently seeking a distributor.

Both Born Rich and The One Percent were promoted on the Oprah Winfrey television show. He was showcased along with Nicole Buffett, granddaughter of billionaire Warren Buffett.

Johnson is a graduate of the Pingry School and New York University, where he majored in American History.

• Jamie Johnson at the Internet Movie Database
• Jamie Johnson at On The Inside
• Born Rich at HBO

This article about a United States film director is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.