Known for Directing
Jeff Okabayashi is an assistant director. He began his academic journey studying mathematics at UCLA but soon realised his passion lay elsewhere. Transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN), he earned a Radio/TV Production degree in 1985. During his time at CSUN, he discovered his calling in the film industry, leading him to apply for the prestigious Directors Guild of America (DGA) Assistant Directors Training Program. Out of 3,000 applicants, Okabayashi was one of only ten selected, marking the beginning of his professional journey in filmmaking. Okabayashi's early career included work on television shows like "Heart of the City," but he quickly transitioned to feature films. His first film credit as a second assistant director was on "An Innocent Man" (1989), and he soon became known for his reliability and work ethic. This reputation led to roles on major blockbusters such as "Backdraft" (1991), "Armageddon" (1998), and "The Rock" (1996). Over the years, he has contributed to numerous high-grossing films, including "Avengers: Endgame," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Spider-Man: No Way Home," and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings". Beyond his work on set, Okabayashi is dedicated to mentoring aspiring filmmakers. He frequently returns to CSUN to speak with students, offering insights into the industry and sharing his experiences. Notably, he allowed CSUN students to work as production assistants on "Transformers: Age of Extinction," giving them firsthand experience on a major film set. His commitment to education and mentorship reflects his belief in giving back and supporting the next generation of filmmakers.
Filmography
56 films, 3 shows


Honeymoon in Vegas
1992 · 1h 36m
country: United States
On her deathbed, a mother makes her son promise never to get married, which scars him with psychological blocks to a commitment with his girlfriend. They finally decide to tie the knot in Vegas, but a wealthy gambler arranges for the man to lose $65K in a poker game and offers to clear the debt for a weekend with his fiancée.


Backdraft
1991 · 2h 17m
country: United States
Two feuding siblings carrying on a heroic family tradition as Chicago firefighters. But when a puzzling series of arson attacks is reported, they are forced to set aside their differences to solve the mystery surrounding these crimes.


The Bonfire of the Vanities
1990 · 2h 5m
country: United States
After his mistress runs over a black teen, a Wall Street hotshot sees his life unravel in the spotlight; A down-and-out reporter breaks the story and opportunists clamber to use it to their advantage.


83 Hours 'Til Dawn
1990 · 1h 30m
country: United States
A wealthy man's daughter is kidnapped and placed in a box with air for only 83 hours.


Come See the Paradise
1990 · 2h 13m
country: United States
In this drama from director Alan Parker, on-the-lam Jack McGurn flees to Los Angeles and takes a job as a projectionist at a movie theater owned by a Japanese-American man. Jack falls for the owner's daughter, Lily, but they are forced to elope to Seattle when her father forbids the relationship. The couple marry and have a daughter, but when World War II breaks out, Jack is powerless to stop his new family's forced internment.


The Image
1990 · 1h 29m
country: United States
When career-focused journalist's investigation indirectly causes a suicide, he questions his own methods and life in general.


An Innocent Man
1989 · 1h 53m
country: United States
Jimmie Rainwood was minding his own business when two corrupt police officers (getting an address wrong) burst into his house, expecting to find a major drug dealer. Rainwood is shot, and the officers frame him as a drug dealer. Rainwood is convicted of drug dealing, based on the perjured evidence of a police informant. Thrown into a seedy jail, fighting to prove his innocence is diffucult when he has to deal with the realities of prison life, where everyone claims they were framed.


From the Dead of Night
1989 · 3h 14m
country: United States
After having a near death experience Joanna finds her life in constant danger. She begins to believe that certain forces are trying to bring her back into the world of the dead. Her boyfriend Glen thinks she's crazy so Joanna turns to her ex-boyfriend, Peter. It just so happens that Peter is a strong believer in the supernatural and even teaches a course on it at a local college. Together they must confront the "walkers" so that Joanna can live to see another day.