Lawrence Bender (born 1957 in The Bronx) is a Jewish-American film producer. He rose to fame by producing Reservoir Dogs in 1992 and has produced all of Quentin Tarantino's films since with the exception of Death Proof.
In the 1980s, he worked as a grip on the syndicated anthology series Tales from the Darkside.
In 1989, he produced the film Intruder, in which leading roles are Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell.
In addition, he has been the producer on many other successful movies including Good Will Hunting, The Mexican, the 2007 Academy Award Winning film An Inconvenient Truth, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, and the From Dusk Till Dawn trilogy. He was an executive producer of the Legend of Earthsea TV miniseries.
Bender takes cameo roles in many of the films he produces: he was a police officer chasing Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs, a customer (billed as a "long-haired yuppie scum") at the diner in Pulp Fiction and a hotel clerk in Kill Bill Volume 2. He was also a "long-haired yuppie scum" in Four Rooms.
Since May 2005 Bender has been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.
He now works in Hollywood, California, running the day-to-day operations of his own production company, Lawrence Bender Productions.
(30 July 1997): Together with Quentin Tarantino founded record company called A Band Apart Records. It will focus on film soundtracks and its releases will be distibuted through Maverick Records, owned by Madonna (I).
He holds the distinction of being the only producer to have two films in simultaneous competition at the Berlin Film Festival: Good Will Hunting (1997) and Jackie Brown (1997).
In addition to his feature film and television work, Bender has enjoyed success in producing commercials and music videos with his production company, A Band Apart. The company has produced commercial spots for such directors as Tim Burton (I), John Woo (I) and McG. A Band Apart Music Videos represents top directors, including Nigel Dick, McG, and Wayne Isham. In 2001, the company shot 75 commercials and music videos and garnered 13 MTV Music Video Award nominations.
Is of Romanian descent.
Attended the University of Maine, where he studied civil engineering.
Former ballet dancer; after sustaining a dance injury, he moved into acting (where he studied under Sandra Seacat), and then finally producing.
Is mentioned in Jane Hamsher's book "Killer Instinct."
He is the business partner, main producer and a close friend of Quentin Tarantino.
Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000.
