Biography

Early life and education

Pizzo grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of a Sicilian immigrant, and attended Indiana University where he received his bachelor's degree in political science. Pizzo was originally going to become a lawyer, but his father encouraged him to do something he enjoyed. While at IU, Pizzo joined the Sigma Nu fraternity, where he met future collaborator David Anspaugh.

Pizzo later attended film school at the University of Southern California.

Career

Pizzo began his film/television career with Warner Brothers Television in the story development group, then moved to Time-Life Films. After serving as Vice President of Feature Film Productions there he worked with former fraternity brother Anspaugh to create Hoosiers, about a small-town Indiana high school winning the state basketball title. Hoosiers earned two Oscar Award nominations. It was named best sports film of all time by both ESPN and USA Today. It is also in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.

Later films include Rudy, about a young man with dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame; and The Game of Their Lives, about the U.S. Soccer Team beating the English team against all odds. Pizzo also was an associate producer on the made-for-TV movie Father Figure.

Pizzo is working on various projects, including a movie based on the life of baseball player Ricky Hill, and also serves on the boards of the Heartland Film Festival, Kinsey Institute, and the New Harmony Writers’ Project.

Personal life

Pizzo and his family lived in Ojai, California, for about thirty years. Pizzo and his wife moved back to Bloomington to raise their kids. He has two sons, ages 14 and 17 (as of 2012).

Pizzo is an avid Indiana University basketball supporter and season ticket holder.

Awards

Pizzo received an honorary doctorate from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana, and was named Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest civilian award of the State of Indiana, and various other awards.

Film credits

• Hoosiers (1986) — screenwriter, producer
• Rudy (1993) — screenwriter, co-producer
• The Game of Their Lives (2005) — screenwriter, co-producer
• My All American (2015) - screenwriter, director

[ Source: Wikipedia ]