Lee Caplin

In 2013, Caplin produced James Franco's directorial debut, As I Lay Dying, adapted from Faulkner's 1930 novel of the same name The film premiered at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival. In 2014, Caplin partnered with James Franco once more to produce The Sound and the Fury (2014 film), the second film adaptation of Faulkner's 1929 novel of the same name. The film was selected to screen out of competition at the 71st Annual Venice International Film Festival.

In 2005, Caplin's mother, Ruth Sacks Caplin, wrote an adaptation of a 1971 Elizabeth Taylor novel. Caplin purchased the film rights and produced Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, directed by Dan Ireland, starring Academy Award-nominated Joan Plowright opposite Rupert Friend in the title roles. Stephen Hunter of The Washington Post described Plowright's performance as "possibly her best role in the flickers," and Roger Ebert called the film "a delight…in ways both expected and rare."

In 2003, Caplin worked closely with Aaron Schneider to bring Faulkner's 1942 short story, Two Soldiers, to the screen. Schneider's adaptation went on to win the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 76th Academy Awards.

Caplin founded Picture Entertainment Corporation (PEC) in 1984. Beginning with projects like The Great American Art Game and Andy Warhol: Made in China, Caplin went on to executive produce Ali, starring Will Smith, with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Columbia Pictures in 2001. Will Smith and Jon Voight both received Academy Award nominations for their performances.

Caplin currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, concert pianist Gita Karasik, whom he married in 1975. Together, they have one son, Daniel Alexander (born 1988).

Caplin moved with his family to Charlottesville, VA in 1951 when his father accepted a professorship at the University of Virginia School of Law. In 1961, his father was appointed Commissioner of Internal Revenue under the Kennedy Administration, and the family again relocated to Washington, DC. Caplin graduated from St. Albans School in 1965. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Duke University in 1969, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1972, where he was an editor of the Law Review.

Lee Evan Caplin (born September 8, 1946) is an American entertainment and communications industry executive. He is the founder of Picture Entertainment Corporation, and currently serves as chairman and CEO. Caplin also founded iSTAR (Immersive Studio for Altered Reality) at FIU (Florida International University) within CARTA (Communications, Architecture & the Arts) in Miami. He previously co-founded and served as a director with Jay Penske of Velocity Services Inc., which was later renamed Mail.com Media Company and eventually renamed Penske Media Corporation, which owns Variety and Rolling Stone magazines.

Caplin was a Founding Faculty member of the California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB). He, with Luis Valdez, established CSUMB's Cinematic Arts & Technology department. He continues to lecture and offer courses in film and television, communications, art, business, and law. Caplin is co-owner of Keystone Studios, the successor to America's first motion picture studio, founded by Mack Sennett in 1912.