J.J. Abrams is the creator of the ABC show Alias and co-creator of Lost. In the winter of 2008 he produced the blockbuster Cloverfield. In his directorial debut, he directed Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III and is currently in production on the eleventh film in the Star Trek franchise.

1. Emmy Awards: 3 nominations, 1 win
2. PGA Awards: 3 nominations, 1 win
3. WGA Awards: 2 nominations, 1 win

Abrams' films almost always revolve around the theme of mystery. The Lost castaways are on a mysterious island. Sydney Bristo tried to solve the Rambaldi mystery. Cloverfield had the ultimate mysterious monster. Recently at the TED Conference Abrams shared where his love of mystery was born. His grandfather gave him a mystery box which held his imagination for years. Most of his inspiration for his films and television shows sprung from the box and the love of mystery that came with it.

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• June 27, 1966: Born in New York City

• 1998: Felicity premieres on the WB

• 2001: Alias premieres on ABC

• 2004: Lost premieres on ABC

• July 14, 2006: Signs contracts with both Paramount and Warner Bros., worth over $55m