FILM · 1979 · USA
Real Life
- Directed by
- Albert Brooks
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
29 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let him and his crew film their everyday lives, in the manner of the ground-breaking PBS series "An American Family".
29 Interesting Facts About Real Life
Interesting Facts (11)
- #001
The role-swapping family is played by the real family of Albert Brooks's older brother, Clifford Einstein.
- #002
One reason Albert Brooks wanted Charles Grodin for the father role was Grodin's film Candid Camera (1972). Brooks thought Grodin would appear not to be acting, since on that show he had to trick ordinary people into believing he was not acting.
- #003
Because of the constant noise from planes flying overhead, filming the final scene took three days. The soundstage was near Van Nuys Airport.
- #004
When Martin (the studio president) complains that the film has no real movie stars, he reminds the people on the phone of "Airport '76." There was no such film. Jennings Lang, who voices Martin, produced Airport 1975 (1974), Airport '77 (1977) and The Concorde… Airport '79 (1979), among other projects.
- #005
The film is adapted from An American Family (1973).
- #006
At the end of the film you see UPC 1650004019. If you scan it, it takes you to Alka-Seltzer (12 ct).
- #007
Filmmaker James L. Brooks, who would give Albert Brooks his best screen role in Broadcast News (1987), appears in a cameo as a driving instructor.
- #008
The real-life producer Jennings Lang also has an acting role in Real Life (1979).
- #009
Filming began in November 1977, lasted six weeks and took place in Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ.
- #010
Epilogue: "The Yeagers were paid a final $25,000. Their house was rebuilt and, as a special token of our appreciation, a north-south tennis court was added. Dr. Theodore Cleary's book sold fewer than 400 copies and was discontinued. Dr. Cleary also contracted a mysterious illness. We wish him luck." "Only historians will know how much closer this motion picture brought us all to the truth. If there are historians in the audience who need special information or biographical material, please call 1-800-555-3824 toll-free."
- #011
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #1231.
Production Story (17)
- #012
Albert Brooks was under enormous pressure to finish the film within budget, since he would be personally liable for any extra costs. On one especially difficult shooting day, as he sat completely demoralized, Charles Grodin came over and said, "I have to leave at 4 o'clock." The absurd request was enough to cheer Brooks up.
- #013
The family that swaps roles in the film is played by the real family of Albert Brooks's older brother, Clifford Einstein.
- #014
Charles H. Reid, who plays the assistant surgeon, was in fact a real veterinarian who supplied the horse seen in the film.
- #015
One reason Albert Brooks wanted Charles Grodin for the father role was Grodin's performance on Candid Camera (1972). Brooks thought Grodin would seem as if he were not acting, because on the television show he had to convince ordinary people that he was not acting.
- #016
Filming the final scene took three days because of the constant noise of planes passing overhead. The sound stage was near Van Nuys Airport.
- #017
While complaining that the film has no real movie stars, studio executive Martin reminds those on the phone call of 'Airport '76.' In fact, there is no such film as 'Airport '76.' Jennings Lang, who voiced Martin, produced Airport 1975 (1974), Airport '77 (1977) and The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979), among other projects.
- #018
It appears on the list '1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,' edited by Steven Schneider.
- #019
It is among the 500 nominees for the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Laughs list of the funniest American films, announced in 2000.
- #020
In the first production meeting scene, producer Martin Brand lists the big stars who could appear in the reality film: 'Where's Paul Newman? Where's Robert Redford? Where's Jack Nicholson?...' He then says the film would make more money with Neil Diamond as the 'star.' A producer had in fact suggested Diamond for the role of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976) (Albert Brooks had a supporting role in that film).
- #021
The film was inspired by the documentary An American Family (1973).
- #022
Director James L. Brooks, who would later give Albert Brooks his best film role in Broadcast News (1987), appears briefly in the film as a driving instructor.
- #023
Real-life producer Jennings Lang also acted in Real Life (1979).
- #024
Shooting began in November 1977, lasted six weeks and took place in Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ.
- #025
At the end of the film, UPC 1650004019 appears. Scanning this barcode takes you to an Alka-Seltzer product (12-pack).
- #026
FOREWORD: 'In 1973, the Public Broadcasting Service presented 'An American Family,' a twelve-hour series of excerpts from the life of a real family (the Bill Loud family of Santa Barbara) shown on television. Of this experiment, anthropologist Margaret Mead said: 'I think it is as new and as significant as the invention of drama or the novel... a new way in which people can learn to look at life by watching the camera's interpretation of other people's real lives.' The film you are about to see is the next step. It documents not only the life of a real family, but also the real people who filmed that family and their effect on one another.'
- #027
AFTERWORD: 'The Yeager family was paid their final $25,000. Their house was rebuilt and, as a special token of thanks, a north-south tennis court was added. Dr. Theodore Cleary's book sold fewer than 400 copies and was taken out of print. Dr. Cleary also contracted a mysterious illness. We wish him a speedy recovery.' 'Only historians will know how much closer this motion picture brought us all to the truth. If there are any historians in the audience who need special information or biographical material, please call our toll-free line at 1-800-555-3824.'
- #028
The film is spine number 1231 in the Criterion Collection.
Career & Awards (1)
- #029
It was among the 500 films on the American Film Institute's 2000 list of nominees for the 100 Funniest American Films.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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