Lou Adler

Production

Lou Adler

Born 1933-12-13 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Lester Louis Adler (born December 13, 1933) is an American record and film producer and the co-owner of the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California. Adler has produced and developed a number of high-profile musical artists, including the Grass Roots, Jan & Dean, the Mamas & the Papas, and Carole King. King's album Tapestry, produced by Adler, won the 1972 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and has been called one of the greatest pop albums of all time. Adler is an executive producer of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and discovered and produced comedy albums and films for Cheech & Chong. In 2006, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his achievements in music. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 as the recipient, alongside Quincy Jones, of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

Acting credits

Adam Sandler: Love You poster
6.2

Adam Sandler hits the stage for a thrillingly unpredictable comedy special featuring songs, jokes, party-crashing dogs and plenty of love.

Adam Sandler: Love You

2024

20 Feet from Stardom poster
7.2

Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.

20 Feet from Stardom

2013

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror poster
8.2

A wild journey into the origins of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the biggest cult film of all time, its impact on popular culture and socio-political resonance to this day.

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

2025

No artwork available
NR

A documentary on Darlene Love, the singer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee known for “He’s a Rebel” and collaborations with Cher, Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick, Sam Cooke and other greats.

Darlene Love: I Know Where I've Been

2026

The Wrecking Crew poster
7.4

A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew." a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby.

The Wrecking Crew

2008

Kareem: Minority of One poster
7.2

This documentary charts the complexity and genius of the NBA's all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's legendary career, both on and off the court. Spotlighting a six-time MVP and six-time world champion, the film examines his controversial and landmark moments, his outspoken feelings about race and politics, and the evolution of the game.

Kareem: Minority of One

2015

Echo in the Canyon poster
6.8

A look at the roots of the historic music scene in L.A.'s Laurel Canyon featuring the music of iconic music groups such as The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, and The Mamas and the Papas.

Echo in the Canyon

2019

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile poster
7.0

Through modern day interviews, archival footage and vintage audio tapes, this documentary tells the story of the legendary and unfinished 1967 Beach Boys album SMiLE, intended to be the follow-up to their landmark album Pet Sounds, as well as Brian Wilson's ultimate decision to revisit the material 36 years later.

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

2004

The Last Impresario poster
5.5

Michael White might just be the most famous person you’ve never heard of. A notorious London theatre and film impresario, he produced over 300 shows and movies over the last 50 years. Bringing to the stage the risqué productions of Oh! Calcutta!, The Rocky Horror Show and to the screen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as well as introducing Merce Cunningham, Pina Bausch and Yoko Ono to London audiences, he irrevocably shaped the cultural scene of the 1970s London.

The Last Impresario

2014

The Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show poster
9.7

This short documentary, produced in celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, features interviews (most previously available elsewhere) with all the usual suspects involved in the making of the cult film.

The Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show

1995

Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin' poster
7.5

An account of the short life of genius musician Jimi Hendrix (1942-70), probably the most talented and influential guitarist of the twentieth century: his humble beginnings in Seattle, his time in New York, his rise to fame in swinging London… Live fast, love hard, die young.

Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin'

2013

Cheech & Chong's Last Movie poster
7.1

Exploring their 5-decade career performing stand-up, making records, and starring in hit films. It covers their lives, comedy partnership, and lasting influence on pop culture.

Cheech & Chong's Last Movie

2025

Herb Alpert Is... poster
7.6

From the success of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, through the founding of A&M Records, to giving away more than $150 million to arts and education programs across the country, we’ll witness the humanity and the humility inherent in everything he does, as well as come to understand the power of creativity to entertain, inspire, heal and transform.

Herb Alpert Is...

2020

AKA Tommy Chong poster
7.3

Documentary about Tommy Chong's federal prosecution under the Bush administration for selling bongs over the Internet.

AKA Tommy Chong

2006

Immediate Family poster
7.4

If you listen to 1970s pop music, you’ve undoubtedly heard these guys play, but do you know their names? This documentary highlights five talented men—Danny, Leland, Rus, Waddy, and Steve— who shunned the spotlight for themselves yet enjoyed decades of success as session musicians on iconic tracks. Interviewees include their collaborators James Taylor, Don Henley, Lyle Lovett, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins, Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, Steve Jordan, and dozens more who take us behind the scenes on the songs that shaped an era.

Immediate Family

2022

Sane Inside Insanity poster
NR

What is the secret behind the success of "Rocky Horror"? Is it the music? The actors? The comedy? It's certainly not the Special Effects. "Rocky Horror" has been around for more than 40 years, and still continues to be successful in the movie theaters as well as on stage. This documentary is highlighting the history of "Rocky Horror", which started off as a two-page script written in crayons, and ended up with two movies, tons of merchandise, millions of fans and world touring shows, grossing more than $500 million in revenue.

Sane Inside Insanity

2025

Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell poster
9.0

Documentary featuring an intimate profile of American rock legend Meat Loaf, spanning from his childhood of domestic violence, through a decade of rejection by record companies to global fame, bust-ups and a major comeback.

Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell

2015

The Making of Ladies and Gentlemen, Fabulous Stains poster
7.5

A documentary look at the 'making of' and cult success of the troubled Lou Adler directed film "Ladies And Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains" starring Diane Lane.

The Making of Ladies and Gentlemen, Fabulous Stains

1999

California Dreamin': The Songs of The Mamas & The Papas poster
7.8

This special celebrates the harmonious pop-rock group, blending full-performance clips, rare home movies and exclusive interviews with the members.

California Dreamin': The Songs of The Mamas & The Papas

2005

Sam Cooke: Legend poster
7.1

Singer, songwriter, business man, family man, civil rights activist: Sam Cooke transcends all barriers of race, faith and talent. This first-ever biography of the definitive soul singer looks at his extraordinary career and personal life - from his gospel-singing roots through his R&B and pop music career.

Sam Cooke: Legend

2003

Music, Money, Madness… Jimi Hendrix Live In Maui poster
6.5

Jimi Hendrix Experience’s storied visit to Maui, their performance on the dormant lower crater of Haleakala volcano on the island and how the band became ensnared with the ill-fated Rainbow Bridge movie produced by their controversial manager Michael Jeffery.

Music, Money, Madness… Jimi Hendrix Live In Maui

2020

Carole King: Natural Woman poster
7.2

Weaving previously unseen and rare performances and home movies with a new, exclusive interview with King, American Masters – Carole King: Natural Woman delves into her life and career. New interviews with friends and colleagues, including fellow songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Tapestry producer Lou Adler, drummer Russ Kunkel, guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, daughter and manager Sherry Goffin Kondor, lyricists Toni Stern and Carole Bayer Sager, and former manager Peter Asher, complete the biographical tapestry.

Carole King: Natural Woman

2016

You've Got A Friend: The Carole King Story poster
7.0

Documentary telling, in her own words, the story of Carole King's upbringing in Brooklyn and the subsequent success that she had.

You've Got A Friend: The Carole King Story

2014

Jan & Dean: The Other Beach Boys poster
NR

An in-depth look at the tumultuous career of Jan & Dean.

Jan & Dean: The Other Beach Boys

2002

Behind the camera

Brewster McCloud poster
6.3

Brewster is an owlish, intellectual boy who lives in a fallout shelter of the Houston Astrodome. He has a dream: to take flight within the confines of the stadium. Brewster tells those he trusts of his dream, but displays a unique way of treating others who do not fit within his plans.

Brewster McCloud

1971

Up in Smoke poster
6.6

An unemployed pot-smoking slacker and amateur drummer, Anthony Stoner ditches his strict parents and hits the road, eventually meeting kindred spirit Pedro de Pacas. While the drug-ingesting duo is soon arrested for possession of marijuana, Anthony and Pedro get released on a technicality, allowing them to continue their many misadventures and ultimately compete in a rock band contest, where they perform the raucous tune "Earache My Eye."

Up in Smoke

1978

Up in Smoke poster
6.6

An unemployed pot-smoking slacker and amateur drummer, Anthony Stoner ditches his strict parents and hits the road, eventually meeting kindred spirit Pedro de Pacas. While the drug-ingesting duo is soon arrested for possession of marijuana, Anthony and Pedro get released on a technicality, allowing them to continue their many misadventures and ultimately compete in a rock band contest, where they perform the raucous tune "Earache My Eye."

Up in Smoke

1978

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains poster
6.3

Corrine Burns retreats far into plans for her band, The Fabulous Stains, after her mother's death.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains

1982

Corduroy Plants poster
NR

As time explodes, it leaves Debris. Check it out. The new film 'Corduroy Plants. (C) 2026 Shakey Pictures, Inc.

Corduroy Plants

2026

Monterey Pop poster
7.3

Featuring performances by popular artists of the 1960s, this concert film highlights the music of the 1967 California festival. Although not all musicians who performed at the Monterey Pop Festival are on film, some of the notable acts include the Mamas and the Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Jefferson Airplane, the Who, Otis Redding, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix's post-performance antics -- lighting a guitar on fire, breaking it and tossing a part into the audience -- are captured.

Monterey Pop

1968

Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie! poster
5.2

It's the legendary toker jokers Cheech & Chong as you've never seen them before - in their very first animated movie. Catch all the buzz as their most outrageously funny routines and laugh-out-loud lines from their Grammy Award-winning albums come to life, including "Dave's Not Here," "Let's Make A Dope Deal" and more. With help from a trippy, bud-lovin' body crab named Buster, Cheech & Chong "the masters of smokin' word" deliver the ultimate comedy high and give you the munchies for more.

Cheech & Chong's Animated Movie!

2013

Basketball Jones poster
6.0

Basketball Jones is a 1974 animated short film based on the Cheech and Chong song. The cartoon was created to promote the song's release in the United States. It is about a teenager named Tyrone Shoelaces and his love of basketball.

Basketball Jones

1974

Carole King: Home Again - Live in Central Park poster
8.7

On Saturday May 26th, 1973 before 100,000 plus fans on the Great Lawn of Central Park in New York City, a generational talent singer-songwriter at the undeniable top of her game enjoyed a humbling homecoming a mere 14 miles from the house in Brooklyn where she grew up. The historic event highlighted the earth-moving power she’d unleashed with her watershed Tapestry (already being touted as one of the highest selling albums in history a mere two years after its release), all the way through her soon-to-be released song-cycle album Fantasy, (her fourth consecutive Lou Adler-produced album to land in Billboard’s Top Ten), Carole King’s performance that day was, according to Jack Nicholson, one of only two current events “proper” to be seen at in public.

Carole King: Home Again - Live in Central Park

2023