Joseph David Stem (born June 26, 1973) is an acclaimed American screenwriter and producer best known for co-writing family blockbusters like Shrek 2, The Rugrats Movie, and The Smurfs alongside writing partner David N. Weiss. Born in Durham, North Carolina, he has spent over 25 years in the industry, specializing in storytelling, creative leadership, and franchise building for major studios.
J. David Stem has 16 screen credits in a career dating back to 1991. Their work spans 8 cinematic universes — most prominently The Smurfs in film with 2 titles. Signature works include Shrek 2, The Smurfs, The Smurfs 2. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 8 universes
