Award-winning documentary filmmaker Mike Tollin is never far from his Havertown roots, even when his best friends call him the “Hollywood guy,” writes J.F. Pirro for Main Line Today.

Tollin, who grew up in Havertown, helmed 2020’s The Last Dance, a 10-part ESPN series on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  

At 65, Tollin is at work on his latest project on baseball legend Derek Jeter. The Captain will air next year on ESPN.

Tollin’s name is also attached to Wild Hogs, Coach Carter, Varsity Blues, Summer Catch, and Big Fat Liar.

He was nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy for 1995’s Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream.

His pipeline of upcoming works is very full, including:

• A Disney+ hockey movie, Great Scott
• Documentaries on the 2008 U.S. basketball team and NFL quarterback Drew Brees
• A scripted comedy series starring boxer Mike Tyson
• A six-part nonsports series on Discovery called Justice USA

“It’s nice to have a niche, but it’s also nice to have the ability and freedom to go beyond,” Tollin says. “I don’t say I can do whatever I want — but I can try. And then the universe tells me what I can do.”

Read more in Main Line Today about filmmaker Mike Tollin.