Chris Carter (born October 13, 1957) is an American television and movie producer, director and writer. Produced in Bellflower, California, Carter graduated with a diploma in journalism from California State University, Long Beach before spending thirteen years working for “Surfing Magazine”. After starting his television career working on television films for Walt Disney Studios, Carter climbed to popularity in the early 1990s after creating the science fiction television series “The X-Files” for the Fox network. “The X-Files” earned high viewership ratings, and led to Carter being in a position to negotiate the development of future show.
Carter went to create three more show for the network—“Millennium”, a doomsday-themed show which met with critical acceptance and low audience amounts; “Harsh Realm”, which was canceled after three episodes had aired; and “The Lone Gunmen”, a spinoff of “The X-Files” which survived for a single season.
Screenwriter, Film director, Writer, Television producer, Film Producer, Television Director
Education
California State University, Long Beach
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Dori Pierson (m. 1983)
Children
Duron Carter, Monterae Carter
Parents
Catherine Carter, William Carter
Siblings
Butch Carter, John Carter
Nicknames
Christopher Carl Carter , Christopher C. Carter , Chris C. Carter
Awards
PGA Most Promising Producer in Television
Music Groups
Throbbing Gristle, Chris & Cosey
Nominations
Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Analyst
Movies
Red Sands, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, The X-Files, Fencewalker
TV Shows
The X-Files, The Lone Gunmen, Harsh Realm, Millennium, Brand New Life, The After
Star Sign
Libra
#
Quote
1
You long for writers like Neil Gaiman. His vision is so personal and idiosyncratic, and unexpected.
2
I had been to Vancouver a few years prior to bringing The X-Files (1993) there ... so, as a filmmaker, it wasn't a discovery for me because I had friends who knew the area and had shot there before. ...Vancouver really became my home away from home, and to this day I still own a house there.
3
The television business changed a lot from when I did The X-Files (1993) to when we did Harsh Realm (1999). Television took on the characteristics of the feature film industry, where, if the show didn't open 'big' out-of-the-gate...it was canceled, immediately.
4
It takes crazy attention to detail if you want something to be good.
5
People thought the storyline and characters for The X-Files (1993) made it a 'dark' show, but I never saw it that way. I always thought Mulder and Scully were the light in dark places.
6
Fox canceling Harsh Realm (1999) wasn't a surprise to me because it was a very expensive show...it was just disappointing the series didn't have a chance to prove itself.
7
The day I swan around in expensive suits is the day I hope someone puts a bullet in my head.
#
Fact
1
Lives in Santa Barbara, California.
2
Under tremendous time crunch, Carter did an all-night audio mix session to finish The X-Files (1993) pilot, which was to be shown to Fox executives the following morning. That night, he ended up sleeping on a couch in the Fox Studios lobby.
Two of his attempts for crossovers with other television shows failed for the same reasons. The first attempt was to crossover The X-Files (1993) with CBS's Picket Fences (1992), however, CBS feared losing ratings to the newer network. The second attempt was to crossover with the WB's Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997), but Fox also feared losing ratings to the newer network. In both cases, each show's executive producer was on board: David E. Kelley and Joss Whedon respectively.
5
His brother, W. Craig Carter, is a Full Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT.
6
Has considered titling his eventual and as-yet-unwritten autobiography "Fridays At Nine," the timeslot for the shows he's created, due to their mix of successes and failures.
TV Series created by - 206 episodes, 1993 - 2016 written by - 65 episodes, 1993 - 2016 teleplay by - 6 episodes, 1995 - 2002 story by - 4 episodes, 1995 - 2002 story - 1 episode, 2016 teleplay - 1 episode, 2016
The After
2014
TV Movie creator - uncredited / written by
The Sex Files 2: A Dark XXX Parody
2010
Video based on the characters created by
The Sex Files: A Dark XXX Parody
2009
Video based on the characters created by
The X Files: I Want to Believe
2008
television series "The X-Files" / written by
Threads of Mythology, Part 4
2005
Video documentary short
Threads of Mythology, Part 3
2005
Video documentary short
Threads of Mythology, Part 2
2005
Video documentary short
Threads of Mythology, Part 1
2005
Video documentary short
The X Files: Resist or Serve
2004
Video Game creator
The Lone Gunmen
TV Series created by - 13 episodes, 2001 written by - 2 episodes, 2001
Harsh Realm
TV Series created by - 9 episodes, 1999 - 2000 written by - 4 episodes, 1999 - 2000
Millennium
TV Series created by - 67 episodes, 1996 - 1999 written by - 7 episodes, 1996 - 1999
The X-Files Game
1998
Video Game story
The X Files
1998
screenplay / story
Inside the X Files
1998
TV Special documentary creator "X Files, The"
Secrets of the X Files, Part 2
1996
TV Special documentary creator "X-Files, The"
The XXX Files: Lust in Space
1995
Video based on the characters created by
Secrets of the X Files, Part 1
1995
TV Special documentary creator "X-Files, The"
Midnight Caller
1991
TV Series written by - 1 episode
A Brand New Life
1989-1990
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
TV Series 1 episode, 1988 written by - 1 episode, 1986
Rags to Riches
1987
TV Series written by - 2 episodes
Cameo by Night
1987
TV Movie written by
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The X-Files
1993-2016
TV Series executive producer - 207 episodes
The After
2014
TV Movie executive producer
The X Files: I Want to Believe
2008
producer
The Lone Gunmen
2001
TV Series executive producer - 13 episodes
Harsh Realm
1999-2000
TV Series executive producer - 9 episodes
Millennium
1996-1999
TV Series executive producer - 67 episodes
The X Files
1998
producer
Inside the X Files
1998
TV Special documentary executive producer
Secrets of the X Files, Part 2
1996
TV Special documentary executive producer
A Brand New Life
1989
TV Series executive producer
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
1988
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
Rags to Riches
1987-1988
TV Series co-producer - 12 episodes
Cameo by Night
1987
TV Movie producer - as Christopher C. Carter
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
The X-Files
1994-2016
TV Series 13 episodes
The After
2014
TV Movie
The X Files: I Want to Believe
2008
Threads of Mythology, Part 4
2005
Video documentary short
Threads of Mythology, Part 3
2005
Video documentary short
Threads of Mythology, Part 2
2005
Video documentary short
Rags to Riches
1987
TV Series 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The X Files: I Want to Believe
2008
Man Sitting in Hospital Hallway (uncredited)
The Lone Gunmen
2001
TV Series
Man on Street Corner
The X-Files
1995-2000
TV Series
Cinema Audience / Another Agent
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The X-Files: Re-Opened
2015
TV Special documentary short thanks
Book of the Senseless
2015
Short special thanks
Raiding the Lost Ark: A Filmumentary
2012
Documentary many thanks
End Game: Making 'Millennium' Season Three
2004
Video documentary short special thanks
Turn of the Tide: Making 'Millennium' Season Two
2004
Video documentary short special thanks
Chasing the Dragon: Academy Group Inc.
2004
Video documentary short special thanks
Tilt
2003
Short special thanks
The Big Brass Ring
1999
special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Millennium After the Millennium
2016
Documentary
Himself
43:45 - The Makings of a Struggle
2016
Video documentary
Himself - Creator / Writer / Director / ...
Season X
2016
Video documentary
Himself - Creator / Writer / Director / ...
Last Call with Carson Daly
2016
TV Series
Himself
The X-Files: Re-Opened
2015
TV Special documentary short
Himself - Creator / Writer / Director
The Real History of Science Fiction
2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
That Hashtag Show
2013
TV Series
Himself
On Story
2013
TV Series
Himself
FOX 25th Anniversary Special
2012
TV Movie
Himself
America in Primetime
2011
TV Series documentary
Himself - Creator, The X-Files
Make or Break TV
2008
TV Series documentary
Himself
Up Close with Carrie Keagan
2008
TV Series
Himself
Threads of Mythology, Part 4
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
Threads of Mythology, Part 3
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
Threads of Mythology, Part 2
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
Threads of Mythology, Part 1
2005
Video documentary short
Himself
End Game: Making 'Millennium' Season Three
2004
Video documentary short
Himself - Creator & Writer & Exec. Producer
Turn of the Tide: Making 'Millennium' Season Two
2004
Video documentary short
Himself - Creator & Writer & Exec. Producer
Inside 'Harsh Realm'
2004
Video documentary short
Himself - Creator / Writer / Executive Producer
Millennium: Creating the Logo & Title Sequence
2004
Video documentary short
Himself
Order in Chaos: Making Millennium - Season One
2004
Video documentary
Himself
The X Files: The Making of 'The Truth'
2004
Video documentary
Himself
The 100 Greatest Scary Moments
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Inventing Grace, Touching Glory
2003
Documentary
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
2001
TV Series
Himself
The 1999 Annual Golden Laurel Awards
1999
TV Special
Himself - Winner
The Making of 'The X Files: Fight the Future'
1998
Video documentary short
Himself
The X-Files Movie Special
1998
TV Special documentary
Himself
Inside the X Files
1998
TV Special documentary
Himself
Millennium: Fact & Fiction
1997
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The 23rd Annual People's Choice Awards
1997
TV Special
Himself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Dramatic Series
Secrets of the X Files, Part 2
1996
TV Special documentary
Himself
The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
1995
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Best TV-Series - Drama
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2000
Showmanship Award
Publicists Guild of America
Television
1999
Nova Award
PGA Awards
Most Promising Producer in Television
The X Files (1993)
1996
Monitor
International Monitor Awards
Film Originated Television Series - Director
The X Files (1993)
1995
Universe Reader's Choice Award
Sci-Fi Universe Magazine, USA
Best Direction for a Genre TV Series
The X Files (1993)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1999
BAFTA TV Award
BAFTA Awards
Best International (Programme or Series)
The X Files (1993)
1999
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Night
The X Files (1993)
1998
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
The X Files (1993)
1998
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
The X Files (1993)
1998
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The X Files (1993)
1998
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Night
The X Files (1993)
1997
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
The X Files (1993)
1997
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
The X Files (1993)
1996
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Episodic Drama
The X Files (1993)
1996
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
The X Files (1993)
1996
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Night
$40 Million
