Robert Coppola Schwartzman, born on December 24, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, is a multifaceted American artist renowned for his contributions to film and music.
As a member of the illustrious Coppola family, he has carved out a niche as an actor, director, musician, and filmmaker, often drawing on his creative lineage for inspiration.
Known professionally under aliases like Robert Carmine to distinguish his musical endeavors from his acting pursuits, Schwartzman embodies the next generation of a Hollywood dynasty.
His work spans indie films, pop-rock albums, and innovative distribution platforms, reflecting a deep commitment to storytelling through both visual and auditory mediums.
Siblings
Robert’s older brother, Jason Schwartzman, born in 1980, stands as a prominent figure in both acting and music; Jason gained fame as the drummer for the band Phantom Planet before transitioning into a prolific acting career with roles in films like Rushmore and The Grand Budapest Hotel, and he fronts the indie rock project Coconut Records.
On the paternal side, Robert’s half-siblings include John Schwartzman, a celebrated cinematographer whose lens has captured visuals for blockbusters such as Jurassic World and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Stephanie Schwartzman, who maintains a lower public profile but remains part of the family’s creative tapestry.
From his mother’s previous marriage, Robert has a maternal half-brother, Matthew Orlando Shire, further weaving the intricate threads of the Coppola-Schwartzman-Shire lineage.
Career
Schwartzman’s professional journey ignited in the late 1990s with acting roles in family-directed projects, marking his entry into cinema as a natural extension of his heritage.
He first appeared in his cousin Sofia Coppola’s short film Lick the Star in 1998, followed by a supporting role as Paul Baldino in her debut feature The Virgin Suicides the next year, where his understated performance captured the awkward essence of adolescence.
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His breakout came in 2001 with the lead role of Michael Moscovitz in Disney’s The Princess Diaries, opposite Anne Hathaway, a rom-com that showcased his boyish charm and propelled him into mainstream visibility—though a planned name change to Robert Cage in homage to cousin Nicolas Cage was scrapped due to promotional deadlines.
Shifting gears, Schwartzman founded the rock/pop band Rooney during his high school years at Windward School in Los Angeles, debuting their self-titled album in 2003 under Geffen/Interscope Records after a serendipitous nod from punk icon Johnny Ramone for a Ramones tribute.
As lead vocalist and songwriter, he penned much of the material during a brief stint at Eugene Lang College, blending power-pop hooks with introspective lyrics across albums like Calling the World (2007) and Eureka (2010).
Embracing filmmaking, he wrote and directed Dreamland in 2016, a dramedy starring Johnny Simmons that premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, followed by The Unicorn (2018) with Nick Rutherford and Lauren Lapkus, and The Argument (2020).
In 2018, he co-founded Utopia Media, a distribution company prioritizing filmmakers, which launched the Altavod platform in 2020 to empower independent creators with better revenue models.
Accolades
Robert’s directorial debut Dreamland earned praise at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival for its poignant exploration of unrequited love, securing distribution deals that affirmed his storytelling prowess.
Similarly, The Unicorn received positive reviews for its sharp wit and relatable millennial angst, highlighted by festival screenings that celebrated its ensemble chemistry.
As frontman of Rooney, the band’s 2003 self-titled album peaked at No. 127 on the Billboard 200 and spawned radio hits like “I’m Shakin’,” earning a devoted cult following and nods from outlets like Rolling Stone for revitalizing pop-rock.
His solo effort Double Capricorn in 2011 further showcased his songwriting depth, with tracks lauded for their emotional rawness.
Beyond formal awards, Schwartzman’s impact shines through Utopia Media’s mission, which has facilitated fairer releases for over a dozen indie films, earning acclaim from filmmakers for democratizing distribution.
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