Mike Fleiss — A Versatile Creative Force in TV and Film
Mike Fleiss, born Michael Lawrence Fleiss on April 14, 1964, in Fullerton, CA, is a prominent writer, director, and TV producer. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and is, interestingly, a second cousin to Madam Heidi Fleiss. Fleiss has excelled in creating enduring reality television franchises and producing successful blockbuster films, showcasing his talent for captivating audiences and pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling.
During his early career, Mike wrote about sports for newspapers in North California. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1991 and worked as a researcher for “Secrets Revealed” in 1993. He’s also been the executive producer of “High School Reunion” and “The Bachelor” since 1988. Additionally, along with Bruce Nash from Nash Entertainment, he produced “Before They Were Stars” and “Breaking the Magician’s Code” in 1993. Mike Fleiss has also authored two comedy books: “Hollywood With An Attitude” and “Sports With An Attitude.” He also founded Next Entertainment in 1999.
Under Next Entertainment’s banner, Mike Fleiss produces numerous TV shows, notably “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” which premiered in 2002. He is the show’s writer and creator. He also produced “The WB’s Superstar USA,” “Bachelor in Paradise,” and “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire.” Mike’s production credits also extend to popular TV shows like “Love at First Kiss,” “H&R,” and “The Cougar.”
Mike’s production credits extend beyond TV, including movies like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” “Poseidon,” “Hostel,” and “Shark Night 3D.” In directing, he has worked on films like “The Other One,” which was centered on Bob Weir, and “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne.”
In 2014, Mike Fleiss won The Best Documentary Feature at the esteemed San Francisco International Film Festival for his documentary film, “The Other One.” Additionally, in 2011, he received a nomination at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival for the Sound and Vision award for his film, “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne,” which he co-directed with Mike Piscitelli.