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Ben Winston
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Benjamin Saul Winston (born 13 October 1981)[1] is a British producer, director and a founding partner of Fulwell 73.[2] He has won 13 Emmy Awards and been nominated 33 times. He holds the record for the individual with the most Emmy nominations in any one year, when in 2019, he received 8 nominations.[3] Business Insider described him as “the most influential producer in television.”[4]
Key Information
Winston is the executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden, the Grammy Awards, for CBS, The Kardashians for Hulu, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of it All and “Carpool Karaoke” for Apple TV+. He was the executive producer and director of the 2021 Friends: The Reunion special, which became the most viewed show in Sky One and HBO Max’s history. His special Adele One Night Only was the highest rated entertainment show on network television in 2022.[citation needed] Winston is also executive producer of Drop the Mic for TBS, Game On! for CBS and Real Pigeons Fight Crime for Nickelodeon.
He has also created and produced several music specials for artists such as Bruno Mars (CBS), Harry Styles (Apple), Elton John (Disney+), Sam Smith (Apple), Adele, Justin Bieber (ITV), Kacey Musgraves (Amazon), Ben Platt, Gary Barlow and Shawn Mendes (Netflix). He also oversaw Global Citizen: Mandela 100 a 10-hour live broadcast show from South Africa, with Beyoncé and Jay-Z. In addition, he has produced and directed documentaries, videos, and films for the band One Direction, including the Columbia Pictures film, This Is Us.[citation needed]
His executive producing credits include four Brit Awards ceremonies for ITV, two Tony Awards for CBS, the UK version of The X Factor and the recent Christmas special of the sitcom Gavin and Stacey for the BBC, which became the most-watched scripted show since 2003 and won the 2020 BAFTA for TV Moment of the Year. Winston has won an MTV Video Music Award, three Brit Awards for directing, three PGA awards, and five Critics’ Choice Awards. Variety named Winston in their list of top 20 unscripted producers in the world. He was appointed to the board of MGM Resorts in 2023.[citation needed]
Personal life
[edit]Winston was born in 1981, the youngest of three children born to Robert Winston, Baron Winston[5] and Lira Helen Feigenbaum, The Lady Winston. He is Jewish.[6]
Winston studied at the University College School and then went to University of Leeds, graduating in Broadcasting in 2004. He is married to Meredith Winston. Together, they have two daughters, Ruby (born 5 December 2016) and Grace (born 10 October 2019). Their eldest's godfather is Harry Styles.[7]
Winston is a lifelong supporter of Premier League football club Arsenal and has held a season ticket at the club for over 30 years. On 19 September 2025, Winston joined Arsenal as a non-executive director.[8][9][10]
Career
[edit]Winston started at Fulwell 73 by co-producing In The Hands of the Gods (Lionsgate) in 2007. Since then, he has produced and directed shows including The Michael McIntyre Chat Show (BBC1) Robbie Williams: One Night at The Palladium (BBC1), This is Justin Bieber (ITV1), One Direction: A Year In The Making, and the seven-hour live streamed show 1D Day.[11] He also produced and directed Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Service(2012).
Winston has worked with his friend James Corden on many productions, including James Corden's World Cup Live (ITV1), When Corden Met Barlow (BBC1), When Robbie Met James (Sky One). For Red Nose Day on BBC1, he directed and co-wrote sketches for Gavin & Stacey. He co-directed the 3D documentary movie, JLS: Eyes Wide Open which opened on over 400 screens across the UK. At the time it was the biggest grossing music cinema release of all time in the UK, but was beaten by the next film he produced, One Direction: This Is Us for Columbia Pictures.[12]
As a commercial director, his advert for "A League Of Their Own" won the gold award at Berlin Pro Max Awards in 2011. He directed the 2011 Christmas Campaign for BBC One, "Consider Yourself One of Us" as well as the award-winning campaign for the Sport Relief mile. His music videos for One Direction has won a Brit Award for British Video of the Year for four consecutive years.[13]
In 2014, he directed When Corden Met Barlow which aired on BBC One. The show included a 6-minute 45 second Carpool Karaoke segment in the documentary with singer Gary Barlow of the band Take That.[14] James Corden explained that "Ben Winston and I always thought there was something very joyful about someone very, very famous singing their songs in an ordinary situation. We just had this idea: Los Angeles, traffic, the carpool lane — maybe this is something we could pull off." Later on, Carpool Karaoke was included as a regular featured segment on The Late Late Show with James Corden and other specials. That same year, Winston also became an executive producer on The X Factor.
Awards
[edit]This section needs expansion with: more awards. You can help by adding missing information. (August 2017) |
- Won
- 2016: Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Interactive Program" for The Late Late Show with James Corden co-won with James Corden (producer/host), Rob Crabbe (executive producer) and Adam Abramson (director of digital)
- 2016: Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Variety Special" category for The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special. Award co-won with Rob Crabbe (executive producer), Mike Gibbons (co-executive producer), Sheila Rogers, Michael Kaplan, Jeff Kopp and Josie Cliff (supervising producers) and James Corden (producer/host).
- Nominated
- 2016: Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Variety Talk Series" for The Late Late Show with James Corden co-nominated with Rob Crabbe (executive producer), Mike Gibbons (co-executive producer), Sheila Rogers, Michael Kaplan, Jeff Kopp and Josie Cliff (supervising producers)
- 2017: Primetime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special" for The 70th Annual Tony Awards (2016). Co-nominated with Dave Boone (writer), Mike Gibbons, Lauren Greenberg, Ian Karmel, Justin Shanes (special materials)
- 2017: PGA Award for "Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television" for The Late Late Show with James Corden. Co-nomination alongside Rob Crabbe, Mike Gibbons, Amy Ozols, Sheila Rogers, Michael Kaplan, Jeff Kopp, James Longman, Josie Cliff and James Corden
Filmography
[edit]- Director
- 2011: JLS: Eyes Wide Open 3D (Documentary)
- 2011: James Corden: May I Have Your Attention, Please? (Video short)
- 2011: One Direction: A Year in the Making (TV Movie documentary)
- 2012: Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Service (TV Movie documentary)
- 2012: When Robbie Met James (TV special)
- 2014: When Corden Met Barlow (TV special)
- 2021: Friends: The Reunion (TV special)
- Producer
- 2007: In the Hands of the Gods (Documentary, producer)
- 2007: Slave Labour (Documentary short, executive producer)
- 2010: This Is JLS (TV special, producer)
- 2011: Brit Awards 2011 (TV special, producer)
- 2011: One Direction: A Year in the Making (TV documentary, producer)
- 2012: A Very JLS Christmas (TV special, executive producer)
- 2012: Freddie Flintoff: Hidden Side of Sport (TV documentary film, associate producer)
- 2012: The Brit Awards 2012 (TV special, producer)
- 2012: Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Service (TV documentary, executive producer)
- 2012: Flintoff: From Lord's to the Ring (TV Series, associate producer)
- 2012: When Robbie Met James (TV special, executive producer)
- 2013: The Brit Awards 2013 (TV Special, producer)
- 2013: One Direction: This Is Us (Documentary, producer)
- 2013: The Class of '92 (Documentary, associate producer)
- 2013: Robbie Williams One Night at the Palladium (TV special, executive producer)
- 2014: Gary Barlow Big Ben Bash Live (TV special, executive producer)
- 2014: The Brit Awards 2014 (TV Special, producer)
- 2014: The Michael McIntyre Chat Show (TV Mini-Series, executive producer for several episodes)
- 2014: The X Factor UK (executive producer)
- 2014: When Corden Met Barlow (TV special, executive producer)
- 2014: The Guvnors (associate producer)
- 2014: One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film (Documentary, executive producer)
- 2015: American Express Unstaged: Disclosure (Short, executive producer)
- 2015: One Direction the London Sessions (TV special documentary, executive producer)
- 2015: Take That: These Days on Tour (TV special documentary, associate producer)
- 2015–2023: The Late Late Show with James Corden (TV Series, executive producer)
- 2016: Jimmy Carr: Funny Business (Video documentary, associate producer)
- 2016: The 70th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special, producer)
- 2017: Carpool Karaoke (TV Series, executive producer)
- 2017: 59th Annual Grammy Awards (TV Special, producer)
- 2017: Harry Styles: Behind the Album (Documentary, executive producer)
- 2017: Forbidden Games: The Justin Fashanu Story (Documentary, associate producer)
- 2018: Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo (co-executive producer)
- 2018: 60th Annual Grammy Awards (TV Special, producer)
- 2019: 61st Annual Grammy Awards (TV Special, executive producer)
- 2019: The 73rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special, producer)
- 2019: The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show (TV Special, executive producer)
- 2020: 62nd Annual Grammy Awards (TV Special, executive producer)
- 2020: Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall (TV Special, executive producer)
- 2020: Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (Documentary, producer)
- 2021: 63rd Annual Grammy Awards (TV Special, executive producer)
- 2021: Adele One Night Only (CBS special, executive producer)
- 2021: An Audience With Adele (ITV special, executive producer)
- 2022: The Kardashians (TV series, executive producer)
References
[edit]- ^ "Benjamin Saul Winston personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "Production | Fulwell 73 Productions | Kings Cross". fulwell73.
- ^ Grein, Paul (23 June 2025). "Ben Winston Reveals Why the Grammys Are the 'Hardest Show on Television to Make' and All About That Summer Olympics 'Handover' Special". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ Kanter, Jake. "How 34-year-old Ben Winston became one of the most influential TV producers on the planet". Business Insider. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ The Times of Israel: "Ben Winston – the man behind One Direction’s Jewish factor!" By Francine Wolfisz 28 August 2013
- ^ Freedman, Harry (11 February 2022). "Obituary: Lady Lira Winston". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ Heart (1 April 2022). Harry Styles put his god daughter in As It Was for the cutest reason. Retrieved 12 October 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Arsenal announces leadership and board update". Arsenal F.C. 19 September 2025. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ Ornstein, David (19 September 2025). "Tim Lewis to leave position as Arsenal executive vice-chair". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ Joseph, Sam (20 September 2025). "Who's on Arsenal's new-look board? A new CEO, more KSE influence and an Emmy winner". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ "1D Day: Here's Everything You Need To Know About One Direction's Live Stream". MTV News. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ One Direction film This Is Us tops UK and US weekend box office The Independent: One Direction film This Is Us tops UK and US Weekend box office
- ^ "All Four One Direction Members Respond To Their New Brit Award". MTV News. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "BBC One – When Corden Met Barlow". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
External links
[edit]- Ben Winston at IMDb
Ben Winston
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early life
Benjamin Saul Winston was born on 13 October 1981 in London, England, the youngest of three children in a Jewish family. His father, Robert Winston, Baron Winston, is a renowned professor, medical scientist, and Labour peer celebrated for pioneering advancements in fertility treatment and reproductive health, including work on in vitro fertilization (IVF). His mother, Lira Winston (née Feigenbaum), supported the family's active involvement in Jewish community life.[8][9] Winston grew up in the affluent Hampstead Garden Suburb area of north-west London, immersed in a traditional Jewish household that emphasized community engagement and cultural heritage. The family attended North West London Jewish Day School for his primary education, and he participated in the Orthodox youth movement Bnei Akiva, fostering a strong sense of Jewish identity from an early age. This environment shaped his childhood, with regular involvement in synagogue activities and Jewish traditions, though he later noted that his father's demanding career in medicine—often involving weekend hospital shifts that Winston occasionally joined—steered him away from pursuing a similar path in science.[10][8] From a young age, Winston developed a lifelong passion for football, becoming a devoted supporter of Arsenal F.C. along with his entire family, including his father, who shared the enthusiasm for the Premier League club. This interest began in childhood and persisted, leading him to hold a season ticket for over 30 years and even manage youth teams for Jewish organizations like Maccabi GB and London Lions. He later transitioned to formal secondary education at University College School in Hampstead.[10][11]Education
Ben Winston attended University College School, an independent boys' school in Hampstead, London, for his secondary education.[8][10][12] In 2000, Winston enrolled at the University of Leeds, where he pursued a degree in Broadcasting Studies, graduating in 2004.[13][8][14] During his time at Leeds, Winston gained hands-on experience in media production through coursework that emphasized practical skills in filming, equipment handling, editing, and control room operations, immersing him in the broadcasting environment.[13] He also engaged in extracurricular activities, including serving as president of the Jewish Society (JSoc), which helped build his leadership skills alongside his academic pursuits.[10] These university experiences sparked his initial interest in television and film production, providing foundational inspirations for his future career by combining creative and technical training in media.[13][8]Professional career
Founding of Fulwell 73
In 2005, at the age of 23, Ben Winston co-founded the production company Fulwell 73 alongside his childhood friends Leo Pearlman, Gabe Turner, and Ben Turner, whom he had known since their time together at a Jewish summer camp and through shared interests in football.[15][16] The company was named after Sunderland AFC's 1973 FA Cup victory and the Fulwell area near the club's former Roker Park stadium, reflecting the founders' passion for the sport.[15] Winston's recent degree in broadcasting from the University of Leeds provided foundational skills that informed the venture's early direction.[13] From its inception, Fulwell 73 concentrated on documentary-style content and music-related productions, beginning with low-budget efforts like fundraising videos for UK Jewish charities produced from a friend's flat in Camden Town, where the team operated without salaries.[10] An early television series, The Freestyle Show (2004), showcased freestyle footballers in a zoo-like format and introduced the UK's first televised download chart, featuring musical guests such as rapper Sway.[15] These initial projects highlighted the company's innovative approach to blending sports, music, and unscripted storytelling. The company's first major feature was the 2007 documentary In the Hands of the Gods, co-produced by Fulwell 73 and distributed by Lionsgate, which followed five young British freestyle footballers on a six-week journey across the Americas to meet their idol, Diego Maradona.[17] The film achieved the largest opening weekend for a documentary in UK history at the time and marked a breakthrough in gaining industry visibility.[18] Fulwell 73's formative years were marked by significant challenges, including chaotic productions—such as repeated giveaway winners and missed ad breaks on early shows—and a rejected pitch for a football program that MTV allegedly stole after eight months of meetings, prompting legal threats from the founders.[15] Following the release of In the Hands of the Gods, the company endured a dry spell, with Winston and his partners taking odd jobs and pooling resources for poker games to sustain operations.[15] Despite these hurdles, the period fostered growth through persistent networking, leading to key partnerships in the UK entertainment sector, including early collaborations with broadcasters like MTV and Lionsgate that laid the groundwork for future expansions.[10][5]Key television productions
Ben Winston served as executive producer for The Late Late Show with James Corden from its premiere in 2015 until its conclusion in 2023, overseeing a format that emphasized interactive comedy sketches, musical performances, and celebrity-driven segments to revitalize late-night television.[1] Under his leadership through Fulwell 73, the program garnered multiple Emmy Awards and cultivated a global audience by integrating viral social media elements with traditional talk show structure.[19][20] Winston co-created and produced the Carpool Karaoke segments, initially inspired by a road trip he took with Corden, debuting on The Late Late Show in 2015 and gaining massive popularity with the 2016 Adele episode, which amassed over 42 million YouTube views in its first week.[21] The format's success led to a spin-off series on Apple Music from 2017 to 2019, featuring artists like Mariah Carey and Cardi B, which earned five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series.[22][23] As director and executive producer, Winston helmed Friends: The Reunion in 2021 for HBO Max and Sky One, a nostalgic special that reunited the original cast and drew over 5.3 million viewers on Sky One, marking it as the channel's most-watched program ever.[24][25] On HBO Max, it generated the platform's largest single-day sign-ups of 2021 and ranked among the top-viewed originals, boosting subscriptions significantly.[26][27] Winston executive produced the 2019 Christmas special of the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, co-written by Corden and Ruth Jones, which attracted 18.49 million viewers and became the most-watched scripted UK television episode since 2003.[1][28] The episode's cultural resonance earned it the BAFTA TV Moment of the Year award in 2020.[1] Winston has also produced high-profile music specials, including Adele: One Night Only in 2021 for CBS, which featured a live performance and Oprah Winfrey interview, drawing 9.9 million viewers and ranking as the network's top entertainment program of the year.[29] He executive produced a Harry Styles concert special for Apple in 2017, capturing live performances from Manchester, further showcasing his expertise in artist-driven television events.[1]Other ventures and recent projects
In 2023, Ben Winston was appointed to the board of directors of MGM Resorts International, becoming the 12th member of the board and bringing his expertise in television production to the company's strategic oversight.[30] Winston's involvement in live events expanded significantly with his role in producing the Grammy Awards telecasts, including serving as executive producer for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024 and the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, where he oversaw performances and presentations featuring artists like Joni Mitchell and Travis Scott.[31][32][33] This marked his continued collaboration with CBS on high-profile music broadcasts, building on prior years' productions. Earlier in his career, Winston contributed to music documentaries through Fulwell 73, notably as a producer on the 2013 concert film One Direction: This Is Us, which provided an intimate look at the band's global tour and rise to fame.[34] He also directed early music videos for the group, such as "Story of My Life," further establishing Fulwell 73's footprint in the music industry.[35] Following the end of The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2023, Fulwell 73 pursued expansions into sports and live events, highlighted by its merger with LeBron James's SpringHill Company, announced in November 2024 and completed in February 2025 to form Fulwell Entertainment, enhancing capabilities in unscripted content, sports programming, and large-scale live productions.[36][37][6] This partnership injected $40 million in new capital to support growth in these areas, positioning the combined entity for projects like branded entertainment and athletic docuseries. A major recent project for Winston is his appointment as executive producer and creative director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, announced in October 2025 by LA28, where he will collaborate with producer Scott Givens to blend Hollywood production values with Olympic spectacle.[38][39] This role draws on his experience with live events, including the Paris-to-LA handover segment from the 2024 Olympics.Personal life
Family
Ben Winston married Meredith Tillman in 2010 at Coworth Park Hotel in Ascot, England.[40] The couple welcomed their first daughter, Ruby, on December 5, 2016, with singer Harry Styles serving as her godfather.[41] Their second daughter, Grace, was born on October 10, 2019.[41] Winston and his family reside in Los Angeles, where he balances professional commitments with frequent visits to the United Kingdom to maintain close ties to his roots.[10]Interests and affiliations
Ben Winston has been a devoted fan of Arsenal F.C. since childhood, attending matches with his father from the age of five or six.[42] He has held a season ticket for over 30 years, initially at Highbury and later at the Emirates Stadium, often traveling to away games including European fixtures.[43][44] On September 19, 2025, Winston was appointed as a non-executive director on Arsenal's board, a role he described as a "dream come true" given his lifelong support for the club.[43][44] Winston's involvement in the Jewish community began in his youth through participation in Bnei Akiva, an Orthodox Zionist youth movement where he formed lasting friendships that later influenced his professional partnerships.[10][45] These connections led to the founding of Fulwell 73 in 2005 with three friends from the movement, and early in his career, he produced unpaid fundraising videos for UK Jewish charities from a shared flat in Camden.[10][46] He has continued engaging in community events, such as speaking at South Hampstead Synagogue in 2025 alongside James Corden to discuss leadership.[47] In philanthropy, Winston established the Lira Winston Fellowships in memory of his late mother, Lira, who dedicated her life to education and leadership; the program selects and trains aspiring school leaders, with the first cohort unveiled in 2024.[47][48] The initiative partners with organizations like PaJeS to support fellows in Jewish education and community building, aiming to perpetuate values of guidance and excellence.[49] His philanthropic efforts in the arts and media sectors were recognized in 2025 when he was named a Music Visionary of the Year by the UJA-Federation of New York, alongside Harvey Mason Jr., for contributions to music and community support.[50]Awards and nominations
Emmy Awards
Ben Winston has amassed a total of 13 Primetime Emmy wins and 33 nominations as of 2025, primarily recognizing his contributions to late-night television, variety specials, and music events through Fulwell 73 Productions.[51] His accolades underscore his innovative approach to interactive and live programming, with many honors tied to The Late Late Show with James Corden and spin-off segments like Carpool Karaoke.[1] In 2019, Winston achieved a historic milestone by receiving a record eight Primetime Emmy nominations in a single year, the most for any individual, for work on The Late Late Show with James Corden and Carpool Karaoke.[51] These included nods for Outstanding Variety Talk Series, Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media Within an Unscripted Program, and multiple technical categories related to Carpool Karaoke segments.[52] Among his notable wins, Winston earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool in 2019, celebrating the 2018 special's blend of music and storytelling during James Corden's Liverpool visit with Paul McCartney. He secured a Primetime Emmy for The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2016 for Outstanding Interactive Program for its pioneering digital extensions and received multiple nominations for Outstanding Variety Talk Series in subsequent years for episodes featuring viral sketches and celebrity interviews.[53] Winston's involvement in major award telecasts has also yielded recognition, with nominations for producing Grammy Awards broadcasts, such as the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021 for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). He won Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, highlighting his direction of high-profile musical performances and tributes. The 67th Annual Grammy Awards (2025) earned multiple Primetime Emmys at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Special. Additionally, Friends: The Reunion (2021), which Winston directed and executive produced, received nominations including Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.| Year | Category | Project | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Outstanding Interactive Program | The Late Late Show with James Corden | Win |
| 2018–2022 | Outstanding Variety Talk Series (multiple) | The Late Late Show with James Corden | Nominations |
| 2019 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special | Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool | Nomination |
| 2021 | Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) | Friends: The Reunion | Nomination |
| 2021 | Outstanding Variety Special (Live) | 63rd Annual Grammy Awards | Nomination |
| 2024 | Outstanding Variety Special (Live) | 66th Annual Grammy Awards | Win |
| 2025 | Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special (among others) | 67th Annual Grammy Awards | Win |
