Joel Surnow

Joel Surnow is an American writer and producer best known for being the creator of the television series 24, and the series La Femme Nikita. He also produced the Fox News Channel The Half Hour News Hour. Joel Surnow an American writer of Lithuanian descent became known for his critical work of La Femme Nikita and 24. His parents were Jewish, located in Michigan, and later Los Angeles. Soon after graduation, he began writing for film; he then swit... more

Joel Surnow is an American writer and producer best known for being the creator of the television series 24, and the series La Femme Nikita. He also produced the Fox News Channel The Half Hour News Hour. Joel Surnow an American writer of Lithuanian descent became known for his critical work of La Femme Nikita and 24. His parents were Jewish, located in Michigan, and later Los Angeles. Soon after graduation, he began writing for film; he then switched to television. His breakthrough came when he began writing for Miami Vice, in 1984. By the end of the year, Universal Studios, which owned the show, assigned Surnow to The Equalizer, as Supervising Producer, about a CIA officer turned vigilante. He has five daughters, two from a previous marriage and three with his current wife. His most recent work is the TV series 24, which he co-created and also executive produced with Robert Cochran. In 2006, 24 won Emmy awards as outstanding drama series for Surnow and his fellow producers, including... less