Craig Johnson (director)

Craig Johnson
Johnson in 2014
Born
Bellingham, Washington, U.S.
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter
Known forTrue Adolescents, The Skeleton Twins
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​

Craig Johnson is an American screenwriter and film director, known for his films True Adolescents (2009) and The Skeleton Twins (2014).[1]

Early life and education

Johnson was originally from Bellingham, Washington,[2] where he studied theatre at the University of Washington and worked for several years in theatre, in sketch comedy and as an educational presenter at the Pacific Science Center.[2]

In 2002, he moved to New York City to study filmmaking at the Tisch School of the Arts.[2]

Career

Johnson's thesis project for that program, True Adolescents, was released in 2009 as his first feature film.[2] His second feature film, The Skeleton Twins, was released in 2014.[2]

In 2017, Johnson directed Wilson, an adaptation of Daniel Clowes' graphic novel, starring Woody Harrelson and Laura Dern. The film was released by Fox Searchlight Pictures and received mixed reviews at Sundance Film Festival.[3]

In 2018, Johnson wrote and directed Alex Strangelove, a teen comedy released by Netflix, starring Daniel Doheny and Antonio Marziale. The film received generally positive reviews.[4]

In 2025, Johnson directed The Parenting, a horror-comedy starring Lisa Kudrow, Brian Cox, Edie Falco and Dean Norris. The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO.[5][6]

Other activities

Johnson has also been credited in local stage and radio productions in Minnesota, including Yellow Tree Theatre’s "Pandemic Programming" series during 2020–21.[7]

Personal life

As of 2009, Johnson was living in Brooklyn, New York.[8] Johnson is openly gay.[1] On May 23, 2015, he married television writer Adam Roberts, his boyfriend of 9 years, in Los Angeles.[9]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Writer
2009 True Adolescents Yes Yes
2014 The Skeleton Twins Yes Yes
2017 Wilson Yes No
2018 Alex Strangelove Yes Yes
2025 The Parenting Yes No

Television

Year Title Episode(s)
2015 Looking "Looking for Sanctuary"
2020 Love Life "Bradley Field"
"Magnus Lund"
2021 Special "Ryan Joins the Crips"
"Prom Queens"
"Why Is No One Ready?"
"Here's Where the Story Ends"
Gossip Girl "Final Cancellation"
2022 Minx "God save the Queen of Dicks"
2025 School Spirits "Ghost Who's Coming to Dinner"
"Ghost Pointe Blank"

References

  1. 1 2 "Second-Time Director: Craig Johnson and The Skeleton Twins" Archived 2022-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. Filmmaker, December 19, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Bellingham native Craig Johnson talks about new film, “The Skeleton Twins”[link removed]. Bellingham Herald, September 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ Rooney, David (January 22, 2017). "'Wilson' Review—Sundance 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  4. ↑ Harvey, Dennis (April 17, 2018). "Film Review: 'Alex Strangelove'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  5. ↑ Marsh, Calum (March 13, 2025). "'The Parenting' Review: Meet the Poltergeist". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  6. ↑ Rooney, David (March 12, 2025). "'The Parenting' Review: Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Lisa Kudrow in Max Horror Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Pandemic Programming 2020–21". Yellow Tree Theatre. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ "SXSW Interview: "True Adolescents" Director Craig Johnson". Indiewire. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Nunn on One Movies: Craig Johnson talks directing Alex Strangelove". Windy City Times. July 3, 2018. Archived from the original on June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
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