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IMDbPro

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

  • Producer
  • Director
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi in Meru (2015)
Wife and husband Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin team to direct death-defying documentaries about mountain climbing, like 'Meru' and the Oscar-winning 'Free Solo.' Their latest 'Return to Space' follows the next evolution of NASA as private businesses like Elon Musk's SpaceX seek to carry the torch of human exploration. The directors explain to IMDb why these three films represent their artistic vision and approach to storytelling.
Play clip3:43
Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin in Three Films
3 Videos
11 Photos
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi was born on 30 December 1978 in New York City, New York, USA. She is a producer and director, known for The Rescue (2021), Free Solo (2018) and Meru (2015). She has been married to Jimmy Chin since 26 May 2013. They have two children.
BornDecember 30, 1978
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornDecember 30, 1978
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 35 wins & 45 nominations total

    Photos11

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    Known for

    The Rescue (2021)
    The Rescue
    8.3
    • Producer(p.g.a.)
    • 2021
    Alex Honnold in Free Solo (2018)
    Free Solo
    8.1
    • Producer
    • 2018
    Meru (2015)
    Meru
    7.7
    • Producer
    • 2015
    Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love (2008)
    Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love
    6.5
    • Producer
    • 2008

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Producer



    • Terminal
      • executive producer
      • Production Unknown
    • Sail
      • executive producer
      • Post-production
    • From the Edge
      • producer
      • Filming
    • Bartali
      • producer
      • Pre-production



    • Love+War (2025)
      Love+War
      6.8
      • producer
      • 2025
    • Lost in the Jungle (2025)
      Lost in the Jungle
      6.4
      • producer
      • 2025
    • Lost in the Amazon (2024)
      Lost in the Amazon
      5.1
      • producer
      • 2024
    • Endurance (2024)
      Endurance
      7.5
      • producer (p.g.a.)
      • 2024
    • The Crux (2024)
      The Crux
      8.0
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Photographer (2024)
      Photographer
      7.8
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Angel City (2023)
      Angel City
      6.8
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2023
    • Wild Life (2023)
      Wild Life
      7.1
      • producer
      • 2023
    • Jimmy Chin in Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin (2022)
      Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin
      7.6
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2022
    • Return to Space (2022)
      Return to Space
      7.3
      • producer
      • 2022
    • Nirmal Purja in 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)
      14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible
      7.7
      • executive producer
      • 2021
    • The Rescue (2021)
      The Rescue
      8.3
      • produced by (p.g.a.)
      • 2021
    • Free Solo 360 (2018)
      Free Solo 360
      8.9
      Video
      • producer
      • 2018
    • Alex Honnold in Free Solo (2018)
      Free Solo
      8.1
      • producer
      • 2018
    • The Fourth Phase (2016)
      The Fourth Phase
      7.0
      • executive producer
      • 2016

    Director



    • From the Edge
      • Director
      • Filming
    • Everest North
      • Director
      • Pre-production
    • Bartali
      • Director
      • Pre-production



    • Love+War (2025)
      Love+War
      6.8
      • Director
      • 2025
    • Lost in the Jungle (2025)
      Lost in the Jungle
      6.4
      • Director
      • 2025
    • Lost in the Amazon (2024)
      Lost in the Amazon
      5.1
      • Director
      • 2024
    • Endurance (2024)
      Endurance
      7.5
      • Director
      • 2024
    • Photographer (2024)
      Photographer
      7.8
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 2024
    • Jodie Foster and Annette Bening in Nyad (2023)
      Nyad
      7.1
      • Director
      • 2023
    • Wild Life (2023)
      Wild Life
      7.1
      • Director
      • 2023
    • Jimmy Chin in Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin (2022)
      Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin
      7.6
      TV Series
      • directed by
      • 2022
    • Return to Space (2022)
      Return to Space
      7.3
      • Director
      • 2022
    • The Rescue (2021)
      The Rescue
      8.3
      • Director
      • 2021
    • Abstract: The Art of Design (2017)
      Abstract: The Art of Design
      8.3
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 2017–2019
    • Op-Docs (2011)
      Op-Docs
      6.6
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 2018
    • Alex Honnold in Free Solo (2018)
      Free Solo
      8.1
      • Director
      • 2018
    • Enhanced (2018)
      Enhanced
      TV Series
      • Power
      • 2018
    • Incorruptible (2015)
      Incorruptible
      6.0
      • Director
      • 2015

    Writer



    • From the Edge
      • Writer
      • Filming



    • Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love (2008)
      Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love
      6.5
      • writer
      • 2008
    • A Normal Life (2003)
      A Normal Life
      8.9
      • Writer
      • 2003
    • A Normal Life (2003)
      A Normal Life
      8.3
      • Writer
      • 2003

    Videos3

    Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin in Three Films
    Clip 3:43
    Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin in Three Films
    Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love
    Trailer 2:46
    Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love
    Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love
    Trailer 2:46
    Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love
    Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love
    Trailer 2:46
    Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official site
      • Vimeo
    • Alternative names
      • Chai Vasarhelyi
    • Born
      • December 30, 1978
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Spouse
      • Jimmy ChinMay 26, 2013 - present (filed for divorce, 2 children)
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Article

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Directed 2 actresses in Oscar nominated performances: Annette Bening and Jodie Foster.

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