Jeff Wadlow
University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television • Years Active — 1996–present • Mother — Emily Couric • Relatives — Katie Couric (aunt) Jeffrey Clark Wadlow (born March 2, 1976) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for writing, producing and directing feature films, including Kick-Ass 2 (2013), Truth or Dare (2018), Fantasy Island (2020), and Imaginary (2024). In 2022, Wadlow was nominated for a DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs.
Also recorded as Jeffrey Clark "Jeff" Wadlow · Jeffrey Clark Wadlow
Jeff Wadlow

Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Jeff Wadlow
- Born
- 2 March 1976
- Birthplace
- Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
- Birth Name
- Jeffrey Clark Wadlow
- Occupation
- * Film director
- Education
- Dartmouth College
- Nationality
- United States.
- Languages
- English.
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University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television • Years Active — 1996–present • Mother — Emily Couric • Relatives — Katie Couric (aunt) Jeffrey Clark Wadlow (born March 2, 1976) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for writing, producing and directing feature films, including Kick-Ass 2 (2013), Truth or Dare (2018), Fantasy Island (2020), and Imaginary (2024). In 2022, Wadlow was nominated for a DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs.
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Jeff Wadlow (born 1976) is an American actor, director and executive producer, among other activities. The actor was born in Arlington County. Jeff Wadlow studied at Charlottesville High School and Dartmouth College. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 30 September 2026
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Jeff Wadlow • Born — 2 March 1976 • Birthplace — Arlington, Virginia, U.S. • Birth Name — Jeffrey Clark Wadlow • Occupation — * Film director • screenwriter • producer • Education — Dartmouth College
Early life
Early life
Wadlow was born in Arlington, Virginia, the son of Emily Couric, a state senator, and R. Clark Wadlow. He is the nephew of journalist Katie Couric. Wadlow attended Dartmouth College, graduating with a B.A. in history and film. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television on a USC Associates Endowment Scholarship for academic achievement. Wadlow graduated from USC in 2001.
Television
Television
Wadlow was a writer and executive producer for the television series, Bates Motel, starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga, and also for the final season of the series, The Strain. He wrote two pilots picked up by CBS, The Odds in 2010 and Hail Mary in 2011, on which he was also an executive producer. In 2017, Wadlow directed and executive produced YouTube Premium series, Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television, starring Ryan Hansen and Samira Wiley. In 2021, Wadlow directed and executive produced the re-boot of the classic 1990's television show, Are You Afraid of the Dark? for Paramount/Nickelodeon. Wadlow was nominated for a DGA award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for his work on the series.
Acting
Acting
In 2001, Wadlow played a small role in Pearl Harbor and a professor on an episode of the sci-fi television series Roswell. The following year, Wadlow performed in the short, tHE tOWeR oF BabBLe (2002), which he also co-wrote and directed. In 2007, Wadlow played Billy in the independent romantic comedy, I'm Through with White Girls (2007), starring Anthony Montgomery.
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Executive Producer — Notes • 2010 — The Odds • 2011 — Hail Mary • 2013 — Bates Motel — Consulting producer, 6 episodes Writer, episodes "Ocean View" and "What's Wrong with Norman" • 2015 — Agent X — Episode: "Long Walk Home" • 2017 — The Strain — 10 episodes Writer, episode "Belly of the Beast" • 2019 — Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television — 8 episodes • 2021 — Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows — 4 episodes
Acting roles
Acting roles
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2001 — Pearl Harbor — Next Guy In Line #1 • Roswell — Professor — Episode: "Baby, It's You" • 2002 — The Tower of Babble — Derek • 2007 — I'm Through with White Girls — Billy
Other credits
Other credits
• Year — Title — Notes • 1996 — The Pallbearer — Office production assistant (as Jeffrey Clark Wadlow) • 1999 — The Big Kahuna — Set production assistant (as Jeffrey C. Wadlow)
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the headings Jeffrey Clark "Jeff" Wadlow and Jeffrey Clark Wadlow. His recorded language was English. He was the child of Emily Couric.
Film
Film
Wadlow's short film, tHE tOWeR oF BabBLe (2002), received more than two dozen awards, including: Best Short Film at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, Best Short Film at the St. Louis International Film Festival, the George Méliès Cinematography Award at the Taos Talking Picture Festival, and a Student Award at USA Film Festival. In 2005, Wadlow came up with the idea for his theatrical directorial debut Cry Wolf with the money Wadlow won in the 2002 Chrysler Million Dollar Film Competition. In 2008, Wadlow directed the film Never Back Down, starring Djimon Hounsou and Sean Faris. The movie won the MTV movie award for "Best Fight." In 2013, Wadlow also wrote and directed Kick-Ass 2, the sequel to the 2010 black comedy superhero film Kick-Ass. Wadlow wrote and directed True Memoirs of an International Assassin in 2016, starring Kevin James and Andy Garcia, which was among the first original feature films for Netflix. Wadlow directed, executive produced and co-wrote the horror film, Truth or Dare, starring Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey, in 2018. The premise of the movie surrounds the popular party game, Truth or Dare, and the deadly results that ensue from a group of friends playing while on a spring break trip to Mexico. In 2020, Wadlow directed, produced and co-wrote the film Fantasy Island, inspired by a 1970s television show with the same name. That same year, Wadlow wrote the story and co-wrote the screenplay for the action thriller Bloodshot, starring Vin Diesel and based on the 1990s comic book. In 2022, Wadlow directed and executive produced The Curse of Bridge Hollow, a Halloween movie streaming on Netflix starring Marlon Wayans. Wadlow's forthcoming horror film, Imaginary, which he directed, produced and co-wrote, was scheduled for release in 2024. The film grapples with the idea of a childhood imaginary friend, in this case a Teddy bear, turning evil. The film is Wadlow's third collaboration with Jason Blum and is financed by Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate Films.
The Adrenaline Film Project
The Adrenaline Film Project
Wadlow founded The Adrenaline Film Project in 2004 during the Virginia Film Festival. An annual event, the project involves teams of amateur filmmakers (aged high school and college) writing, casting, directing, and editing short films in a 72 hour time frame under the mentorship of Wadlow and other industry leaders. Each film, with a duration or five minutes or less, is screened at the end of the competition to be judged for the three cash awards: audience, mentor and jury prizes.
Short films
Short films
• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Notes • 2002 — The Tower of Babble — Story — George Méliès Cinematography Award NYIIFV Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film SLIFF Award for Best Dramatic Short USA Film Festival, Student Award Nominated – Deauville Film Festival – Best Short Film • Manual Labor — Also editor, Wine Country Film Festival – Best Short Film (Domestic) • 2004 — Catching Kringle — Story — Jury Award for Best Short Film – Animated
Feature films
Feature films
• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Producer — Notes • 2005 — Cry Wolf • 2007 — Prey • 2008 — Never Back Down • 2013 — Kick-Ass 2 • 2014 — Non-Stop — Executive • 2016 — True Memoirs of an International Assassin • 2018 — Truth or Dare — Executive • 2020 — Fantasy Island • Bloodshot • 2022 — The Curse of Bridge Hollow — Executive • 2024 — Imaginary • 2026 — The Devil's Mouth
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Jeff Wadlow”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q3176610: Jeff Wadlow
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Jeff Wadlow. Virginia Film Festival. February 4, 2020.
- 2.DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2021 -. www.dga.org.
- 3.'The J Team' and Are You Afraid Of The Dark?: Curse Of The Shadows Receive Nominations in 2022 DGA Awards.
- 4.Media, Katie Couric. Katie’s Nephew Remembers His Mother, Emily, and Shares His Medical Expertise on Pancreatic Cancer. Katie Couric Media. 2023-11-29.
- 5.Jeff Wadlow News & Biography. www.empireonline.com.
- 6.Alumni. Film & Media Studies. 2021-05-20.
- 7.USC Cinematic Arts Notable Alumni. cinema.usc.edu.
- 8.Jeff Wadlow biography and filmography Jeff Wadlow movies. Tribute.
- 9.Jeff Wadlow biography and filmography
- 10.Hollywood director Jeff Wadlow on his film Fantasy Island and more. www.telegraphindia.com.
- 11.Nightmare Anniversary: "CRY_WOLF" and The AIM Alternate Reality Game!.
- 12.Kit, Borys. Universal in Talks for 'Kick-Ass 2'. The Hollywood Reporter. May 8, 2012.
- 13.Rugunya, Daniel. Jim Carrey Refused To Promote Kick-Ass 2 And The Film's Creator Was Surprisingly Happy About It. TheThings. 2023-02-21.
- 14.Sneider, Jeff. Kevin James to Star in 'True Memoirs of an International Assassin'. TheWrap. 2015-05-06.
- 15.Grobar, Matt. Lionsgate Acquiring Blumhouse Thriller ‘Imaginary’ To Be Directed By Jeff Wadlow – EFM. Deadline. 2023-02-06.
- 16.Barna, Ben. Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow shares his scariest scene of all time. Interview Magazine. 2018-04-13.
- 17.Debruge, Peter. ‘Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island’: Film Review. Variety. 2020-02-14.
- 18.Walsh, Katie. Review: Vin Diesel and ‘Bloodshot’ deliver what you'd expect in a silly sci-fi action film. Los Angeles Times. 2020-03-11.
- 19.Radish, Christina. Truth or Dare Ending Explained by Director Jeff Wadlow. Collider. 2018-04-16.
- 20.Director Jeff Wadlow Talks Netflix’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow (EXCLUSIVE). fandomwire.com. 2022-10-19.
- 21.Danoff, Owen. Blumhouse’s Upcoming Horror Movie Imaginary Drops Spooky New Poster. ScreenRant. 2024-01-17.
- 22.Mantilla, Ryan Louis. Blumhouse’s Imaginary Unveils Chilling New Poster. ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. 2024-01-17.
- 23.creepykingdom. Interview: 'The Curse of Bridge Hollow' Director Jeff Wadlow. Creepy Kingdom. 2022-10-14.
- 24.Andreeva, Nellie. CBS Picks Up Medical, PI Drama Pilots. Deadline. 2011-01-25.
- 25.‘Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television*’ Goes Out In A Big Way. UPROXX. 2019-01-30.
- 26.[Interview] Executive Producer and Director Jeff Wadlow Talks Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows. Gayly Dreadful -- Bursting out of your closet with the latest horror reviews. 2021-02-11.
- 27.Zachary, Brandon. Are You Afraid of the Dark: Curse of the Shadows' Jeff Wadlow Delves Into the Frights. CBR. 2021-02-13.
- 28.Where Are They Now? : Jeff Wadlow. Horror Society. 2016-04-22.
- 29.I'm Through with White Girls. www.nndb.com.
- 30.JennyM. Virginia Film Festival Announces Light House Studio to Take Over Adrenaline Film Project. Virginia Film Festival. 2018-09-07.
- 31.Adrenaline Film Project. Virginia Film Festival. 2014-10-03.
- 32.Adrenaline Film Project looking for participants. www.cbs19news.com.
- 33.'Are You Afraid Of The Dark?' Gets Season 2 Trailer & Premiere Date On Nickelodeon. Deadline Hollywood. January 8, 2021.
References
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Studied at
1- Dartmouth CollegeOrganisation
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
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