John Wells

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John Wells

Photo credit: 
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

John Wells is an American theater, film and television producer, writer and director. He is best known for his role as executive producer and showrunner of the television series ER, Third Watch, The West Wing, Southland, and Shameless.

His company, John Wells Productions, is currently based at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California.

Wells is also a labor leader, and was elected president of the Writers Guild of America, West in 2009, after serving a prior term in that office from 1999 to 2001.

John Wells was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2017.

John Wells is an American theater, film and television producer, writer and director. He is best known for his role as executive producer and showrunner of the television series ER, Third Watch, The West Wing, Southland, and Shameless.

His company, John Wells Productions, is currently based at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California.

Wells is also a labor leader, and was elected president of the Writers Guild of America, West in 2009, after serving a prior term in that office from 1999 to 2001.

John Wells was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2017.

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Awards & Nominations

26 Nominations | 6 Emmys | 1 Honor
Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie - 2022
  • Nominee
  • John Wells, Directed by
  • MAID
  • "Sky Blue"
  • Netflix
  • John Wells Productions, LuckyChap Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television for Netflix
Hall of Fame - 2017
  • Winner
  • John Wells, as Honoree
Outstanding Miniseries or Movie - 2011
  • Nominee
  • John Wells, Executive Producer
  • Mildred Pierce
  • HBO
  • A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries
Outstanding Drama Series - 2006
Outstanding Made For Television Movie - 2006
  • Nominee
  • John Wells, Executive Producer
  • Mrs. Harris
  • HBO
Outstanding Drama Series - 2005
Outstanding Drama Series - 2004
Outstanding Drama Series - 2003
Outstanding Drama Series - 2002
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series - 2002
  • Nominee
  • John Wells, Writer
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 2001
  • Nominee
  • John Wells, Executive Producer
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 2001
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series - 2000
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 2000
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 1999
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 1998
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 1997
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series - 1997
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 1996
  • Winner
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series - 1996
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 1995
  • Nominee
  • John Wells
  • ER
  • NBC
  • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television
Outstanding Drama Series - 1990
  • Nominee
  • John Wells, Supervising Producer
  • CHINA BEACH
  • ABC

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Fill 1
Fill 1
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

John Wells is inducted into the 24th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

Marilyn Wells, John Wells and Jack Wells attend the 24th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

Shanola Hampton, Emmy Rossum, John Wells and Emma Kenney attend the 24th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

Michael Hissrich, John Wells and Jimmy Smits attend the 24th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

Richard Schiff, John Wells, Janel Moloney and Bradley Whitford attend the 24th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Camera

John Wells and Noah Wyle attend the 24th Television Academy Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
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