John McNaughton

• Name — John McNaughton • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois, U.S. • Occupation — Film director, television director • Years Active — 1970–present • Style — * Horror • thriller • drama • comedy John McNaughton is an American film and television director, best known for directing the controversial Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) and Wild Things (1998). His works encompass a wide array of genres such as horror, thriller, drama and comedy. Other directorial credits include The Borrower (1991), Mad Dog and Glory (1993), and Normal Life (1996).

His first feature film, made in 1986, was Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a film McNaughton directed, co-wrote, and co-produced. Numerous complications plagued the controversial film, delaying its theatrical release until 1989. The film made Time magazine's and Roger Ebert's ten best lists and won best picture honors at Fantasporto, Sitges Film Festival and the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film. His other works include the films Mad Dog and Glory and Wild Things, the documentary Condo Painting as well as episodes of Homicide: Life on the Street, John From Cincinnati, Masters of Horror and the pilot episode for Push, Nevada.

McNaughton studied fine arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in television production and a minor in photography.

TV movies • Year — Title — Notes • 1994 — Girls in Prison • 1997 — Firehouse — Credited as Alan Smithee • 1999 — Lansky • 2003 — Expert Witness — Unaired pilot TV series • Year — Title — Notes • 1994–1996 — Homicide: Life on the Street — 5 episodes • 2002 — Push, Nevada — Episode "The Amount" • 2003 — Without a Trace — Episode "Maple Street" • 2006 — Masters of Horror — Episode "Haeckel's Tale" • 2007 — John from Cincinnati — Episode "His Visit: Day Three"