Richard Dutcher
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Richard Dutcher is an American movie director, producer, writer and actor. He is notable among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of his Mormon-themed productions. Dutcher is also noted for his ability to raise money for his independent film productions.
Dutcher graduated from Brigham Young University in 1988 with a degree in film. His first film was Girl Crazy, which was sold to HBO films.
Dutcher's first commercial success was with the 2000 indie film God's Army. Dutcher took three years to raise the film's modest budget of $300,000. Dutcher wrote, directed and starred in this film about Mormon missionaries, focusing on one Mormon elder determined to finish his two-year mission even though he is dying of brain cancer. Despite a limited production budget, the film showed respectable production quality and adept acting. The film debuted with a world premiere in Sandy, Utah and was taken on tour around North America for special, limited engagements.
Dutcher followed this film in 2001 with Brigham City about the search for a serial murderer in a fictional small Utah town whose inhabitants are mostly LDS. The movie explores how residents of a close-knit religious community react to and deal with the situation.
Dutcher's fourth film, God's Army 2: States of Grace, was released November 4, 2005. While carrying the title of his first movie, States of Grace is not a true sequel. This film follows a different set of missionaries in Los Angeles, caught in the middle of gang warfare.
Currently in pre-production is Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith, a film about the life of the early LDS prophet. This movie will be Dutcher's first big-budget project, with a projected budget of $10 million, though independently financed. Initially Val Kilmer was slated to play the lead role of the church founder, but he was forced to back out due to other obligations. The producers are currently seeking another actor for the lead role, though they are still in talks with Kilmer trying to work out an arrangement.
Dutcher has been married to his wife, Gwen, since 1988. They have five children.
Richard Dutcher lived in his car during high school and was so financially strapped while attending BYU that he frequently had to choose between eating and going to the movies. Because of his love of film, he normally went to the movies.
