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Joseph Weisberg Biography

Birth Name:Joseph Weisberg

Profession Writer, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for New Series for "The Americans" in 2014
  • Graduated from Yale University in 1987, where he studied Russian history
  • Before becoming a writer, he worked as a high school teacher
  • Joined the CIA three years after college graduation and would eventually relocate to Washington
  • Quote: "(On his work in the CIA): "I wanted a job where I could be a cold warrior․ Where you can be a brainy, dark weirdo and do all kinds of fascinating crazy stuff․""
  • Quote: "(Regarding his job as a case officer with the CIA): "Fundamentally, lies were at the core of the relationships․ I lied to all my friends and most of the people in my family․ I lied every day․ It was painful․""
  • Quote: "(On "The Americans"): "Finding yourself rooting for the enemy is a fundamental part of the experience․ What is the enemy? What does it even mean to be the enemy? Maybe, the enemy is as human as you are․""
  • An officer with the CIA, he would use his personal experiences for the basis of the FX original drama series "The Americans․"
  • Because of the sensative nature of the material, every script he writes for "The Americans" must be reviewed by the C․I․A․'s Publication Review Board

Awards

  • 2014OFTA Television Award-Best Writing in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
  • 2015INOCA TV-Best Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016INOCA TV-Best Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016WIN Award-Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016WGA Award (TV)-Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017WGA Award (TV)-Drama Series: winner
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode: winner
  • 2018INOCA TV-Best Writing for a Drama Series: winner
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: winner
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2018WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Drama: nominated
  • 2018WGA Award (TV)-Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode of the Decade: nominated
  • 2019PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
  • 2019WGA Award (TV)-Drama Series: winner
  • 2023Peabody Award-Entertainment: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Writing in a Limited Series or Streaming Movie: nominated