Jeannot Szwarc was a French-American director, producer, and writer known for his work in American film and television. He was born in Paris, France on 21 November 1939. He was a graduate of Harvard University.
Szwarc began working as a director in American television during the 1960s, in particular on Ironside. He also directed episodes of The Rockford Files, Kojak, Night Gallery, JAG, Bones, Castle, Numbers, Columbo, Heroes, and dozens of other series.
His feature films include Bug (1975), Jaws 2 (1978), Somewhere in Time (1980), Supergirl (1984), and Santa Claus: The Movie (1985).
During the 1990s, he worked in his country of birth where he directed three feature films including La Vengeance d'une blonde (1994). Afterwards, he returned to the United States where he directed television films and series.
In 2003, Szwarc joined the crew of The WB/CW television series Smallville as a director. One of the major episodes he directed was "Homecoming", the 200th episode of the series.
Szwarc co-directed, with Miguel Sapochnik, the fifth and final season premiere of the science-fiction/crime series Fringe. He directed multiple other episodes of the series throughout its run.
Szwarc died from respiratory failure at Central Hospital of Loches, Centre-Val de Loire, France, on 14 January 2025, at the age of 85.