Chris Carter (screenwriter)

Chris Carter
Carter at the July 2008 London premiere of
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Born
Christopher Carl Carter

(1956-10-13) October 13, 1956
Alma materCalifornia State University, Long Beach
Occupation(s)Writer, director, producer
EmployerTen Thirteen Productions
Known forCreator of The X-Files
Spouse
Dori Pierson
(m. 1987)
Parents
  • William Carter (father)
  • Catherine Carter (née Mulder) (mother)

Christopher Carl Carter (born October 13, 1956) is an American television and film producer, director and writer. Born in Bellflower, California, Carter graduated with a degree in journalism from California State University, Long Beach before spending thirteen years working for Surfing Magazine. After beginning his television career working on television films for Walt Disney Studios, Carter rose to fame in the 1990s for creating the Fox science fiction supernatural drama series The X-Files. The show earned high viewership ratings, and eventually led to Carter's being able to negotiate the creation of future series.

Carter has his own television production company, Ten Thirteen Productions, wherein he went on to create three more series for the network—Millennium, a doomsday-themed series which met with critical approval and low viewer numbers; Harsh Realm, which was canceled after three episodes had aired; and The Lone Gunmen, a spin-off of The X-Files which lasted for a single season. Carter's film roles include writing both of The X-Files' cinematic spin-offs—1998's successful The X-Files and the poorly received 2008 follow-up The X-Files: I Want to Believe, the latter of which he also directed—while his television credits have earned him several accolades including eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations.