Biography
Jonathan Kaplan (25 November 1947 – 1 August 2025) was an American film and television director and producer. Born in Paris, he was the son of composer Sol Kaplan and actress Frances Heflin, and the nephew of actor Van Heflin. He studied at the University of Chicago and New York University’s film school before apprenticing with producer Roger Corman.
Kaplan directed feature films including Truck Turner (1974), Over the Edge (1979), Heart Like a Wheel (1983), The Accused (1988), Immediate Family (1989), Unlawful Entry (1992) and Brokedown Palace (1999). The Accused earned Jodie Foster an Academy Award for Best Actress. He directed and produced numerous episodes of the series ER (1994–2009), receiving five Emmy nominations for his work on the programme. He also directed episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Without a Trace and other series, and several music videos.
