Jonathan Mussman
VP of Production
Netflix
About Jonathan Mussman
Jonathan Mussman is vice president of production (nonfiction and live) at Netflix. Since joining in 2015, the Emmy Award-winning executive has launched the company’s original production unit and has led the Nonfiction Production & Post teams that focus on Netflix’s original documentaries, unscripted, sports, and live content. His slate includes Canelo vs Crawford, Paul vs Tyson, The Roast of Tom Brady, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, Netflix is A Joke Festival, NFL Christmas Day games, WWE Raw, Taylor vs Serrano, Dinner Time Live with David Chang and upcoming programming like Star Search, FIFA Women’s World Cup and Jake vs Tank.
Prior to Netflix, Mussman was an executive at MTV for 15 years, rising up to SVP of production. During his tenure, he developed and produced many iconic series and specials including Catfish, TrueLife, Cribs, Juvies, Video Music Awards, Movie Awards, Miley: The Movement and Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside among hundreds of others. Mussman was part of the team that created the concept of televised Pre Shows and After Shows which has since been adopted by most major networks. As a freelancer, Mussman produced numerous specials for the major broadcast networks, including live specials from the White House, The Annual Academy Awards (Oscars), American Music Awards (AMAs), and The Grammys. He helped the industry pivot to new directions as a producer on NetAid which was the very first simulcasted live music concert special on both broadcast and internet. He also served as a director on the team that brought Big Brother (CBS) to the US in its first season (one of the first reality shows to ever be produced). He started his career at Dick Clark Productions working on productions including the Golden Globe Awards, The Challengers, Super Bloopers & Practical Jokes and many others.
Many of the programs that Mussman has produced have received outstanding recognition and awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscar), British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Television Academy (Emmy), Recording Academy (Grammy), Critics Choice, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP Award) and Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD Award). Mussman was also honored as one of the Variety Ten, a recognition of ten leaders and innovators in TV & Film by Variety.
He is a long-term member in good standing of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), Television Academy (ATAS), and British Academy of Film & Television (BAFTA). Originally from Northbrook, IL, he was influenced to seek a career in the Entertainment Industry, following the footsteps of his mentor, the iconic filmmaker (and fellow Northbrook resident) John Hughes. He’s the son of a rabbi with hobbies including photography, SCUBA diving, and travel, and he lives in Southern California.
Featured in: Tuesday General Sessions (12/16)