JOHN EALER

John Ealer is a seasoned executive producer and showrunner who specializes in producing, directing, and writing documentary series for broadcast and streaming outlets such as HBO, CNN, Netflix, AMC, Bloomberg, History, and Discovery.

Most recently, John was the executive producer of 2025’s RELATIVE SECRETS with Jane Seymour for AMC networks, a groundbreaking series that combines true crime and genealogy to solve real-life family mysteries.

As senior production executive for Cream Productions, John also recently spearheaded 2024’s AN OPTIMIST’S GUIDE TO THE PLANET WITH NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU, a show that circled the globe finding the inspiring people and breathtaking solutions for a world in crisis.

John was showrunner, director and head writer for CNN’s 2021 smash hit, HISTORY OF THE SITCOM, an eight-part docuseries featuring over 180 interviews, including iconic figures like Tracy Morgan, Lisa Kudrow, Kelsey Grammer, Constance Wu, George Lopez, Jason Alexander, Yvette Lee Bowser and Norman Lear. John shepherded the show from its inception and development, through COVID-19, up until its launch in July.

John was also the showrunner, director and head writer for CNN’s critically acclaimed 2021 six-part doc series, THE STORY OF LATE NIGHT. Featuring over 90 interviews with late-night TV luminaries (including Amber Ruffin, Seth Meyers, Trevor Noah, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, James Corden, Whoopi Goldberg, Chelsea Handler and Dick Cavett), John was instrumental in leading not only the creative execution, but also in spearheading the archival licensing strategy to achieve an unprecedented level of access to the materials critical to the series.

In the 2010’s, before his recent forays into pop culture history, John produced, wrote and / or directed acclaimed and Emmy-nominated period docudramas with unparalleled production value. Netflix’ ROMAN EMPIRE (Seasons 2 and 3) viscerally re-told the stories of Julius Caesar and Caligula. AMC’s THE AMERICAN WEST (EP, Robert Redford) tracked the story of iconic outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid. AMC’s THE MAKING OF THE MOB (Seasons 1 and 2) took on the legends of Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, and Sam Giancana, among others. History’s FRONTIERSMEN (EP, Leonardo DiCaprio) revisited the complicated legacies of America’s pioneers. THE WORLD WARS and THE MEN WHO BUILT AMERICA helped redefine the docudrama genre.

John’s other directorial credits include VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, a gritty feature-length documentary about post-war Kosovo (Slamdance Film Festival, 2008). His director of photography credits include the dramatic feature TOWARDS DARKNESS (2007, Tribeca Film Festival) and special venue presentations like THE SHUTTLE LAUNCH EXPERIENCE at Kennedy Space Center and b at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

John began his career as a documentary cameraperson and counts among his most memorable work experiences the 24-hour conjoined twin separation surgery he shot in 2003 for ABC / Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Winner of two Los Angeles Emmy Awards, John holds an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BA from the University of Iowa.