Denise Di Novi

Denise Di Novi (also credited as Denise DiNovi) is an American producer and director whose career spans major studio hits and distinctive auteur collaborations. Born March 21, 1956, in Sherman Oaks, California, she grew up in a creative household: her father, Gene DiNovi, was a noted jazz musician, and her mother, Patricia McNeil Di Novi, performed as a Broadway dancer.

After studying communications and earning a journalism degree, Di Novi began in newsrooms and television in Canada, including reporting work in Toronto. She soon pivoted into filmmaking, taking on publicity and production roles before becoming a key figure at Filmplan International, where she worked across multiple studio releases. When the company relocated to Los Angeles, her path led to senior production leadership and, ultimately, a prolific run as an independent producer.

Di Novi became widely known for producing films such as Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Practical Magic, and Crazy, Stupid, Love, as well as acclaimed adaptations of Little Women. Her long partnership with Tim Burton helped shape several modern cult classics, and she also produced multiple Nicholas Sparks adaptations.

Beyond features, she served as executive producer on the CBS drama The District, made her directing debut with Unforgettable (2017), and continued expanding into prestige television with FX’s The Veil (2024). She also appears as herself in several behind-the-scenes documentaries exploring Burton’s work and the Batman legacy.