“Every generation has a favorite David E. Kelley show and that’s because David Kelley has been turning out television hits since L.A. Law forty years ago. He crafts memorable television for viewers across the globe.” said International Academy President & CEO, Bruce L. Paisner. “We look forward to recognizing his tremendous talent with the Founders Award.”
“To be recognized by the International Academy in this way is truly overwhelming. This award stands as a testament to the incredible teams and individuals I have had the honor to collaborate with over the years,” said Kelley. “I am especially grateful for the many opportunities I’ve been given in being able to share stories and push boundaries of what television can be.”
Award-winning writer/producer David E. Kelley is the mind behind some of America’s most groundbreaking and distinctive television dramas that address contemporary issues including social justice, diversity, and privilege. He is the creator of the Emmy®, Peabody, and Golden Globe Award-winning shows Boston Legal, The Practice, and Ally McBeal, and the critically acclaimed dramatic series Big Little Lies, Boston Public, Chicago Hope, and Picket Fences.
To-date, Kelley is the only Producer to ever win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Comedy and Outstanding Drama, Ally McBeal and The Practice, respectively, in the same year (1999). This year, Kelley produced Presumed Innocent, which held the top spot on AppleTV+, and Netflix’s A Man in Full, which reached #1 among the streamer’s Top 10 most-watched shows in the U.S. In addition to those recent successes Kelley has created multiple #1 shows across various streaming platforms in recent years, including Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Love & Death. His first documentary project, Hope in the Water, featuring Martha Stewart and Shailene Woodley, premiered earlier this year on PBS. Up next, Kelley is writing/producing Margo’s Got Money Troubles for Apple TV+, starring Elle Fanning.