Steven Spielberg (Steven Allan Spielberg, born December 18, 1946) is an American film director, screenwriter and producer, 3-time Oscar winner, co-founder of Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks SKG, one of the richest and most influential people in the film industry.
Spielberg was nominated for an Oscar 16 times: 7 as a director, 9 as a producer.
According to Forbes, his capital is $3.7 billion (as of July 2019). Bloomberg estimates his fortune higher - at $6.18 billion. Spielberg's films have grossed over $10.1 billion worldwide and made him the highest-grossing film director in the history of cinema. The films “Jaws”, “Indiana Jones”, “Jurassic Park”, “Saving Private Ryan” - become classics of cinema and firmly occupy an honorable place in the lists of “Best Films”.
And although he is not in the top 20 on the 2020 Billionaires list, Spielberg has contributed more to the film industry than anyone else from the mid-70s to this day. The biography of Steven Spielberg is an example of successful self-realization for the benefit of society. In the list of the richest celebrities “Richest celebrities” according to Forbes, the Hollywood director took 2nd place in 2020.
Steven Spielberg has been called the “Great Maestro” and “a cult director of our time.” But how could a Jewish boy from a poor, large family, who suffered from ridicule from his peers during his school years, achieve unprecedented heights? The success story of Steven Spielberg will tell you about this.
Childhood and family
The future film genius was born on December 18, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA). Both of Stephen's parents came from families of Jewish immigrants who left the Russian Empire; one of Spielberg's grandfathers was from Odessa, the other from a Ukrainian village.
Stephen's father, Arnold Meyer Spielberg (born February 6, 1917), was a veteran of World War II. His stories about the war would later inspire Stephen to make the film Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg Sr. worked at General Electric as an engineer and was involved in the creation of GE series mini-computers. He cites the development of the first computer-controlled cash register as his greatest contribution. After retiring in 1991, Arnold Spielberg consulted for technology companies and worked for the Shoah Visual History Foundation, an organization founded by his son.
Stephen's father Arnold Meyer Spielberg
Steven Spielberg's mother Leah Adler (née Posner, Adler - surname from her second husband) was born on January 12, 1920, and before meeting her husband, she worked as a professional pianist. Her career never worked out; Mrs. Spielberg made a choice in favor of family rather than music.
Steven Spielberg's parents got married in January 1945, and less than 2 years later their first child appeared in the family.
Baby Steven with his parents
It was from his mother that Stephen inherited the qualities that led him to success: overflowing vitality, a subtle sense of humor and youthful naivety.
Stephen had three younger sisters - Ann (1949), Sue (1953) and Nancy (1956), with whom the age difference was 3.7 and 10 years, respectively. His childhood spent surrounded by so many girls was not in vain - Stephen became “proficient” in female psychology.
His sisters helped Stephen work on early films, however, the tomboy practiced his ability to incite fear on them (which was useful to him later in his “cinema” activities). For example, Stephen hid under the windows of the house and howled: “Moon, moon” (the sisters were afraid of the Moon). One day he cut off the head of a Nancy doll and served it on a plate with salad.
The Spielbergs changed their place of residence more than once. Ann was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The family later moved to Haddon, New Jersey, and then to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Leah Adler recalls how during her next move, when she decided to hire a nurse for her children, nothing came of this idea. The daughters did not let their parents leave the house even for a couple of hours if they left them with Stephen.
Film director with sisters and mother
Steven Spielberg with his father and younger sisters (from right to left) Sue, Nancy and Anne
Steven Spielberg with his parents Arnold Spielberg and Leah Adler
According to the recollections of Spielberg’s mother, his room was always a “horror”: the boy periodically let his parrot fly, the floor was so dirty that “you could grow mushrooms” there. When a lizard escaped from its cage in their house, the household found it only three years later. “It seems like I never knew how to raise children,” Leah admits. “Perhaps we were more normal parents than I remember, although I doubt it.” The film director had a good relationship with his mother, and, having become successful, bought her a luxurious mansion.
Steven Spielberg's parents divorced in 1966. Steven was sensitive to the situation. Arnold Spielberg remarried in 1997, at the age of 80. In 2020 he turned 100 years old.
Leah married Bernard Adler for the second time, with whom she ran The Milky Way restaurant in Los Angeles. The establishment was very popular largely due to the charisma of the “former Mrs. Spielberg.” She joked that even her son couldn't get a table without a reservation.
Leah Adler hung posters of films her son made in her Milky Way restaurant - in the photo on the right she is next to the poster of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" (in the Russian box office "Alien")
Leah died on February 21, 2017 at the age of 97. Two years after her death, in February 2020, the family decided to reopen the doors of her restaurant.
Childhood
Stephen was born into an ordinary Jewish family with an average level of financial security. My father worked as an engineer for many years and had a good understanding of computer technology. Her mother was a pianist and often performed in local concerts. In addition to Stephen, 3 more children were growing up in the family; the mother was forced to leave her job in order to raise the children.
Steven Spielberg was cared for by three sisters as a child - Nancy, Ann and Sue. The family moved to different states 2 times due to lack of funds. The Spielbergs lived in New Jersey and Arizona. Finally settling in the small town of Scottsdale, Stephen's parents sent him to school, where he became a victim of ridicule from his peers.
The boy was the only Jew in the school. But Stephen did not despair, knowing that his family loved him very much and would provide support. Young Spielberg was right; his parents did not limit their son’s freedom. Even in preschool, Stephen's father and mother noticed his interest in cinema.
They decided to give the boy a gift - a small portable movie camera, which in the future greatly influenced Stephen’s choice of profession, who immediately began filming small short films.
Stephen enjoyed filming horror and science fiction, which often involved alien invasions. To do this, he used all available means that could be suitable for decoration. He even dressed his sisters in alien costumes and used firecrackers to create explosions for greater effect.
At the age of 12, Stephen gained his first minor fame. Then he was an ordinary college student and an amateur film competition was taking place in a children's group. Stephen could not miss the event; together with his family, playing the main and supporting roles, he filmed the short film “Escape to Nowhere”, receiving first place.
A couple of years later, positive changes took place in Steven Spielberg’s cinematic biography; he shot the first full-length film, “Fire Lights,” which was shown at the local cinema. The plot was fantastic, about the capture of the inhabitants of the planet by aliens.
The parents of the young director allocated money in the amount of $600 for the filming. The director's mother willingly took on the duties of a free cook for the film crew. The Spielberg family did some of the scenery themselves. The exciting career of Steven Spielberg began.
School years and earlier creativity
Due to the work of the head of the family, the Spielbergs moved often. Stephen attends school in Scottsdale, then Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and then California State College.
In elementary school, Stephen was the only Jew, so he experienced some discomfort. The boy was teased and even beaten by his classmates. Partly because of this, Spielberg preferred to distance himself from the faith of his ancestors, although he grew up in a Jewish family where Jewish traditions were respected. Sergei Brin, for example, admits that he always “felt like some kind of minority, partly a consequence of the fact that I am a Jew.” Perhaps forced isolation helped Stephen feel independent and go his own way. The boy could not boast of many friends and preferred to spend his time sitting at home in front of the TV screen.
He was more than a mediocre student and was distinguished by some kind of inhibition. Spielberg’s mother admits that as a child she did not notice the inclinations of genius in him: “I had no idea that my son would become Steven Spielberg.” One day the teacher called the boy “special” and Leia wondered what the teacher meant. The mother did not punish her son for poor academic performance and did not try to change him: “If I had made an appointment with a specialist, the movie “E.T.” would never have appeared.”
In middle school, according to his mother, Stephen “awake from his adolescent slumber” and began to show better results.
The Boy Scout movement, which 12-year-old Stephen joined, helped him prove himself in the team and gain positive communication with his peers. Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire and former mayor of New York, also joined the Boy Scouts during his high school years, where he did not experience anti-Semitic attitudes. Spielberg subsequently helped design the Scout's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Boy Scout Achievement in Motion Pictures Badge (effective 1989)
Stephen achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, which only 4% of Boy Scouts achieve. After becoming famous, Spielberg briefly served as a member of the Boy Scouts of the USA Advisory Council.
His parents buy an 8mm amateur video camera for Steven, and soon the boy gets the nickname “movie camera man.” Involving his sisters in the filming, Spielberg Jr. tries his hand at filming horror films, using cherry juice to simulate bloody splashes.
At the age of 12, Spielberg took part in a youth amateur film competition, where he received his first award for the film “Escape to Nowhere.” The 40-minute film is dedicated to the First World War.
Escape to Nowhere (1961) - Steven Spielberg's first film
The main character, who dresses up as a man to take part in hostilities, was played by Spielberg's sister, Anne.
Cinema becomes a part of Stephen's life and helps him to assert himself. The next film, Firelight (1963), on which Spielberg worked with other schoolchildren, was even shown at a local cinema. The 2-hour story told about aliens who took people to replenish their “space zoo”. The parents supported their son’s self-realization in every possible way: the mother prepared food for the film crew, the father invested $600 and helped build the scenery.
In 1965, Spielberg graduated from Saratoga High School, California.
Celebrity biography
In 1946, Steven Spielberg was born in Cincinnati (America). The boy's parents were Jews. The boy's father was a successful mathematician and engineer. He stood at the very origins of the development of programming. Mom devoted herself entirely to raising small children, of whom there were four in the family. After the birth of her first child, she gave up her musical career without hesitation, although they predicted a great future for her. The woman was a successful pianist.
Stephen inherited the best character traits from his parents at the genetic level. The little boy had a pronounced love for all things beautiful and expressed his creative abilities in every possible way. The child had good perseverance and could build a detailed plan to achieve the assigned goal. Stephen was the only boy in his large family, but he had three sisters whom he was forced to take care of.
In 1950, anti-Semitic sentiments that arose during World War II were expressed in America. Because of his Jewish roots, the boy often became the object of ridicule at school. Stephen could only come to his senses and escape from his worries at home. His sisters and mother surrounded him with care and love in every possible way. The boy could talk to his father on any topic.
Since adolescence, Stephen began to get involved in cinema . The guy always dreamed of making an interesting video, and not just playing various roles. Parents gave their son a high-quality movie camera when he had his tenth birthday. It was clear to everyone that Stephen really had talent and desire for art. After such a gift, the boy definitely decided for himself that his future life would be connected with the field of cinema.
During an interview, the director said that in his youth he could not let go of the camera for days on end, as he shot amateur films one after another. Most often these were primitive horror films with bloody scenes. Regular tomato juice was used as special effects. All of Stephen's relatives and friends starred in amateur films. He gave out the roles himself.
At the age of 12, the boy took part in a youth amateur film competition, where he won. Five years later, the young man presented his first full-length film entitled “Heavenly Lights” to the audience at a local cinema. The filming cost $700, which the guy took from his parents.
A few years later the whole family moved to California. Young Stephen tried twice to enroll in the film school, which was affiliated with the University of the South. But both times the guy was refused. At the insistence of his parents, he entered a technical college. In 1968, during the holidays, Stephen shot another short film, Emblin. It was this step that contributed to Spielberg’s further advancement to world fame. The guy's talents did not go unnoticed.
In 1969, the famous company Universal Pictures signed a contract with the talented Stephen to film the first episode of a new series. A few years later, the young man made a full-length film called “Duel.” Initially, the film was intended for broadcast on television, but after its unexpected success, the film went to the big screen. The next film, The Sugarland Express, was released in theaters. The guy's work has won numerous positive reviews from world critics.
The biography of Steven Spielberg contains information that real fame came to the purposeful guy after the release of the thriller “Jaws.” For the work done, the film director received three Oscars, as well as one Golden Globe. After this, the young man’s career took off. Popular film companies began to pay attention to Stephen's ideas and approved the release of another masterpiece. It was a science fiction movie called Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The work again received two Oscar awards and several more prestigious nominations.
University years
When Spielberg's parents divorced, the young man was faced with a choice: who to stay with, his mother or his father. 19-year-old Steven decides to join the elder Spielberg in Los Angeles, California, having planned to attend the USC School of Cinematic Arts, a film school at the University of Southern California. This educational institution
is included in the TOP 10 best film schools in the USA according to The Hollywood Reporter. The technical equipment of the school is at the highest level. Its funding comes from donations from alumni, including Jon Landau and George Lucas. Both of Stephen’s attempts to enter this university were unsuccessful; the admissions committee’s comment read: “he doesn’t know how to make films, he’s mediocre.”
It is worth learning from the director how not to stop in the face of failures, to listen to your own heart, and not to professionals who can sometimes make mistakes. Having become famous, Stephen joined the board of directors of the USC Film School.
After failure, Spielberg decides to enroll in another educational institution and becomes a student at California State University-Long Beach. This college is ranked 37th on Forbes America's Best Value Colleges list. The university boasts the third largest campus among California universities, with more than 300 organizations on campus, including 40 fraternities and sororities. Stephen fit right into the student community and joined the Theta Chi fraternity, a chapter of Zeta Epsilon. This student community is one of the oldest (founded in 1856), it values friendship and mutual assistance.
During the holidays, Spielberg films the 26-minute film Amblin. The short film opens the door to the world of big cinema for the student: at the Atlanta Film Festival in 1969, the film was noticed by representatives of the film company Universal Studios (now Universal Pictures). Stephen is invited to a free internship, and then a long-term contract is signed with the 23-year-old film debutant.
For the sake of his career, Stephen quits studying at the university. On May 31, 2002, 30 years after his first enrollment, crowned with three Oscars, Spielberg again joined the ranks of students. He graduates from California State Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts/Science Film Production and Electronic Arts.
Movies
As a young man, Spielberg made two attempts to enroll in film school at the University of Southern California. Both times, Stephen was rejected with a note on his resume that said “mediocrity.” But thoughts about cinema did not leave the young man. He did not despair and entered a technical college, during which he filmed the 26-minute film “Emblin”. It was this film that was noticed by representatives of the Universal film company.
A well-known company signed a contract with the guy. Initially, Spielberg worked on the filming of the series “The Psychiatrist”, “Night Gallery”, “Columbo. Murder by the Book”, and in 1971 he already created a small disaster film “Duel” with one actor.
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The film received good reviews, and in 1974, Universal producers invited the aspiring director to make his debut feature-length crime drama, The Sugarland Express, starring Goldie Hawn.
This film was also warmly received by the audience, and the horror film Jaws, which was released in 1975 and held the box office record for several years, brought real fame to Spielberg. Later, three sequels of the legendary film were shot, but without Spielberg's participation.
In 1979, Stephen tried his hand at comedy and directed the satirical film 1941. In 1981, the action adventure film Indiana Jones starring Harrison Ford appeared. Raiders of the Lost Ark, which became the highest-grossing film of the year, grossing $400 million.
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Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis
The historical drama about the victims of the Holocaust, Schindler's List, starring Liam Neeson, received seven Oscars, including for best director. In 1998, Steven Spielberg returned to the military theme with the film Saving Private Ryan, where Tom Hanks played the main character.
In 2001, the director completed work on the “Artificial Intelligence” project begun by Stanley Kubrick, for which he even abandoned filming “Harry Potter.” In subsequent years, the film director’s filmography was replenished with the most famous films “Catch Me If You Can”, “War of the Worlds”, “Lincoln”, “Bridge of Spies”.
In 2020, Steven Spielberg released The BFG, a family fantasy film about the friendship between a little girl, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), and a giant (Mark Rylance).
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2 years later, the science-fiction film “Ready Player One” was released about a future in which virtual reality exists on equal terms with the real world.
In addition to directing, Steven Spielberg is actively involved in the creation of numerous projects as an executive producer, screenwriter, and also an actor, appearing in episodes of his own films, especially since his appearance contributes to this: with a height of 171 cm, his weight is 70 kg.
In 2020, the names of Steven Spielberg and other cult directors, including Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, were included in the Oxford Dictionary. This is due to the latest update of the English vocabulary with new adjectives derived from the names of famous directors.
Career
60s
So, in 1968, Spielberg signed a contract with Universal to film one episode of the television series Night Gallery. During the 1960s, he worked in television, directing episodes of the television series Marcus Welby MD and Columbo: Murder by the Book.
70s
Three years later, the ambitious director presented his own full-length film, the television film “Duel.” The storyline of the film was based on the work of Richard Matheson, which was based on a true incident. Two cars “played” in the film: a passenger car and a fuel truck chasing it. The film was later re-edited with scenes completed for showing in cinemas.
The film “Duel” (1971) received the Grand Prix at the international festival of fantastic films “Avoriaz”
In 1974, the director's first work appeared on the big screen - the drama Sugarland Express, based on a true story. The Sugarland Express crew was advised by a police officer who was held hostage by a couple of criminals and was a direct participant in the events. At the Cannes Film Festival, the film won the prize for best screenplay and was nominated for the Palme d'Or.
On June 20, 1975, the blockbuster Jaws was released on movie screens. Spielberg jokes about this that he then became known not as “director Spielberg,” but as “a director who delayed an expensive project ($9 million) for 3 months.” Stephen was forgiven for this delay, and he was also forgiven for going beyond the budget. After all, in the end, the story about a shark that kept a resort town in fear collected a record amount at the box office at that time with 8 zeros: the first release brought in $100 million, the total - $470 million.
The release of the film “Jaws” took place in the summer and brought its creator worldwide fame
There were several mechanical models of sharks; the “doll” received the nickname “Bruce”
It is believed that the term "blockbuster" - a big-budget film aimed at a mass audience and large box office receipts - originated with the release of "Jaws." The film was nominated for an Oscar in 1976 in the Best Picture category, and in fact received 3 statuettes for Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Music.
The thriller "Jaws" remained the highest-grossing film in the history of cinema until the release of the 4th episode of "Star Wars" in 1977. The box office of "Star Wars" grossed $775 million, for which Steven Spielberg did not fail to congratulate George Lucas.
Steven Spielberg sends congratulations to George Lucas as Star Wars beats Jaws to top box office
Before the release of Jaws, Spielberg was a “director on call”; his popularity brought him freedom and the opportunity to film what he wanted
Before the film's release, Spielberg unsuccessfully approached various film studios with a UFO movie script. Stephen has been fascinated by the topic of humanity meeting alien life forms since childhood. Now the film companies themselves began to call him and ask: “What about the film about flying saucers, is it still in force?”
In 1977, Spielberg filmed Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where he acted as both screenwriter and director.
The film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was nominated for an Oscar in 8 categories and took one statuette for “Best Cinematography.”
80's
During this period, Stephen was filming an adventure film about the adventures of a resourceful archaeologist. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) made star Harrison Ford famous and established Spielberg as a “star director.”
The first film of the epic film about Indiana Jones received 9 Oscar nominations and 5 coveted statuettes.
To the delight of fans, sequels will soon be released: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), which, by the way, is Spielberg’s favorite of the trilogy. In 2004, the sequel “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was released, and the release of the 5th and last film of the film saga is planned for 2021.
In 1982, the director returned to the topic of contacts with extraterrestrial civilization and made the film “Alien.” The film becomes one of the best science fiction films, receiving 4 Oscar awards and nominations in 5 more categories.
Interestingly, Spielberg filmed the film's scenes in chronological order to get a genuine reaction from the child actors when breaking up with the alien.
At the box office, “The Extra-Terrestrial” collected more than $792 million, “outperforming” the box office of the 4th episode of “Star Wars”
In 1981, Spielberg, together with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, founded Amblin Entertainment, a private company specializing in film and television production. The studio is engaged exclusively in producing and does not produce its own films.
A still from the film E.T. (silhouette of a boy cyclist carrying an alien in the trunk) is used in the trademark of the Amblin film studio
“Gremlins” appeared in 1984, “Back to the Future” appeared in 1985 - Spielberg acted as a producer in both films. In 1988, he almost became the director of the film “Bolshoi”, but did not want to overshadow his sister Anne Spielberg, who was the film’s screenwriter.
Steven Spielberg - biography, photo, personal life, films of the director
Name: Steven Spielberg
Date of birth:
December 18, 1946
Age: 71 years old
Place of birth: Cincinnati, USA
Height: 171 cm
Weight:
70 kg
Activities: film director, screenwriter, producer
Marital status: married
Steven Spielberg: biography
The full name of this talented director, who created the highest-grossing films, is Steven Allan Spielberg. The rental of his masterpieces amounted to almost 8.5 billion dollars. He won an Oscar three times.
Steven Spielberg: childhood, family
The brilliant producer and screenwriter was born into a poor Jewish family in Ohio. Father and mother raised four children. The head of the family is an engineer; my mother accompanied concerts and played piano.
But soon the career of a pianist was forgotten for the sake of the children. But the creative seed from the mother firmly sprouted in the children. Therefore, two of them (Anne and Stephen) connected their biographies with creativity. Sister Ann became an actress, and Steve himself became a famous box-office director.
The family moved in search of a better life; in Scottsdale the boy went to school, where he encountered bullying against Jews. Parents have long noticed that their son was attracted to cinema. No matter how difficult it was, Steven received an eight mm camera from his mom and dad. There was an opportunity to practice filming your own amateur short films.
Steven Spielberg: films
The boy began by filming horror films in which blood was replaced with cherry juice. The sisters were “actresses” for their brother and portrayed aliens. And Stephen made a film about the war with the sound effects of firecrackers and burning curtains. The teenager turned 12 years old when he took part in his first film festival. One of his works was recognized as the best.
A few years later, the parents invested their money in the filming of the film “Heavenly Lights” about an alien intelligence that abducted people to show them in its menagerie. The film lasted two hours, Stephen involved local schoolchildren in the creation of the film. We did everything with our own hands, our parents helped. The film was shown in the city cinema. This is how Spielberg’s cinematic biography began.
Since the age of 19, Stephen has tried twice to pass exams for film school. The young man was denied admission, and the admissions committee issued a conclusion: “mediocrity.” The guy began to study at a technical college, continuing to do his favorite thing. His film "Amblin", which lasted 26 minutes, attracted interest in cinema. Spielberg was offered a contract.
At first, TV series were filmed, but soon the talented young man tried his hand at creating his first disaster film. The producers gave me the opportunity to make a full-length film and were not mistaken, because the audience liked this work. And the next film, Jaws, made Steven Spielberg famous.
Popularity of Steven Spielberg
Recognition of the director and real fame awaited new films. These films were the box office films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “E.T.” Both films grossed a thousand million dollars. Spielberg felt a new surge of strength and created a satire film, an adventure film, an action film and others. Since 1984, the director has created his own cinema. Many films are known to viewers all over the world, and the sensational films about the Jurassic period demonstrated the incredible imagination and imagination of the director.
Famous actors such as Liam Neeson and Tom Hanks work with Spielberg. Russian viewers are familiar not only with the titles, but also with the films themselves: “Catch Me If You Can”, “Terminal”, “War of the Worlds”, “Bridge of Spies”. Stephen has not lost his diversity of talent since childhood, so he sometimes tries himself as an actor, writes scripts for his films, and is a producer of several projects.
Steven Spielberg: biography of personal life
There is no consistency in the biography of Spielberg's personal relationships. He had an affair with actress Amy Virgin for three years. The woman left him, but then the couple decided to get back together and even got married. A son was born, but after some time the couple became participants in a high-profile divorce proceeding. The wife sued her husband for a hundred million dollars.
Two years later, Stephen walked actress Kate Capshaw down the aisle. Now the couple has a daughter, Sasha, a son, Sawyer, and a daughter, Destri. In addition to them, the famous director’s family raised Kate’s daughter from her first marriage, Jessica, Stephen’s son from his wife Amy Virgin, and Theo, a boy adopted by the couple. They later adopted Michaela. Children are drawn to creativity in different ways: through video games, as actresses and actors, musicians and models.
Spielberg continues to create popular films, only now they have become family films or about people of the future. The list of future works will include Spielberg's favorite genre - a dramatic thriller with Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. The director did not change his beloved Indiana Jones; it is planned to film the fifth part of the sequel.
Steven Spielberg has many significant awards. One he is very proud of. He was awarded the title of honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II herself. He is an honorary member of the American Society for his ethical treatment of aliens. The director created the computer game Medal of Honor.
Author bio: Natsh
Awards
Oscar-winning Spielberg has a number of other honorary awards, including the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award (1995), a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2003), and the US Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015). The success story of Steven Spielberg is that as a child he was nicknamed “Camera Man”, and when he reached the heights, he received the Award “For his contribution to the development of the use of the motion picture camera.”
Here are just some of the prestigious titles and awards that the director has received:
- "Most Influential Person in Entertainment" (1997) and "Best Director" of the 20th Century by Entertainment Weekly (1999)
- Distinguished Civil Service Award (US Navy's highest civilian award) (1999)
- #1 "Greatest Directors of All Time" by Empire Magazine (2005)
- Lincoln Award for Leadership, Great Strength of Character, Individual Conscience and Unwavering Commitment to the Principles of Democracy (2014)
- Medal of Freedom awarded by the US National Constitution Center (2018)
"For his invaluable contribution to the British film industry", he was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) (2000). However, as a non-UK citizen, the director cannot use this title and call himself "Sir Steven Spielberg", unlike, for example, British businessman Richard Branson.
Spielberg is a Knight of the British Empire, but cannot use the honorific "Sir"
In 2020, a film about the cult director “Spielberg” will be released.
Steven Spielberg Quotes
Here are the most popular statements of the American filmmaker:
- “Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest mistake of our lives. They interrupt our own story, disrupt our ability to think or dream, to imagine something wonderful, because we are too busy walking from the cafeteria back to the office with our eyes on our cell phones.”
- “Through careful manipulation and good storytelling, you can make everyone clap at the same time, hope at the same time, and fear at the same time. But you can't force everyone to interpret the result the same way. And it’s interesting that everyone will see the story in their own way.”
- “I wanted to make another movie that could make us laugh, cry and feel good. I wanted to do something else that could make us smile. This is a time when we need to smile more and Hollywood films should do that for people during difficult times."
- “My first reaction whenever I delve into an episode of history that I know little about is anger that my teachers never taught me this.”
Charity
Not only was Spielberg's work appreciated, the director is famous for his philanthropic activities. For his contribution to the promotion of humane values, Spielberg was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015) and the America's Democratic Legacy Award 2018.
The film director’s philanthropic index is quite high: 3 points out of 5 according to Forbes. Spielberg is periodically ranked among the ten most generous representatives of show business.
The filmmaker is widely known for his educational work to ensure that the moral lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten.
Since 1988, the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive, dedicated to the preservation of Jewish documentaries, has been named after him.
Stephen donated the royalties received for Schindler's List to found the USC Shoah Foundation The Institute for Visual History and Education - the Shoah Foundation at the University of Southern California (1994). The foundation's goal is to collect interviews with Holocaust survivors. The USC Shoah Foundation's video archive already contains more than 52,000 testimonies used around the world for its Holocaust education mission.
Founded by Spielberg in 1994, the USC Shoah Foundation's mission is to overcome prejudice, intolerance and bigotry.
Spielberg donated part of the royalties from Schindler's List (and subsequently from the films Munich and Lincoln) to create The Righteous Persons Foundation, founded in 1995. The organization helps preserve Jewish history and develop the Jewish community. The Foundation finances projects that help bridge the gap between people of different nationalities. In total, Spielberg spent about $85 million to support Jewish culture.
Here are some of the director's major donations:
- $1.5 million to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Asia (2004)
- $1.5 million to victims of Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive hurricane in US history (2005)
- $1 billion for humanitarian aid in Israel (2006)
- $10 million for the construction of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - the Hollywood Film Museum. One of the museum’s galleries will be named in honor of the philanthropist, who contributes to the development of the film industry not only with his films, but also directly with financial assistance.
Steven Spielberg is also the honorary chairman of the charities Children at Heart and the Starlight Children's Foundation.
Confession
In 1971, the first short film “Duel” was released, in the filming of which only one actor took part. She received positive reviews and recognition from the audience. In 1974, representatives invited Stephen to make a full-length film, “The Sugarland Express,” with then-famous actor Goldie Home.
The director was not afraid of such an offer and agreed. The film was filmed and released, where it was quite warmly received by the audience. Great fame came to Spielberg in 1975: his horror film “Jaws” was released. The film created a real sensation and brought huge profits to its creators. It was at this point that people started talking about Spielberg.
After a little time, Stephen submitted ideas for new films, which interested the producers. And they made the right decision when they decided to realize the ideas of director Spielberg. In 1977, the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind appeared, which grossed $300 million. And in 1982, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was released, which grossed $700 million at the box office.
In 1979, Spielberg began to master the comedy genre. This is how the film “1941” appeared. In 1981, the film Indiana Jones starring popular actor Harrison Ford was released. The film brought in more than $200 million in revenue, earning positive responses from viewers.
Then the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was released, becoming the most profitable film at the box office this year. Then 3 more films were released, the last of which was released in 2008.
Spielberg began mastering the comedy genre back in the late 80s.
Personal life
Steven Spielberg is a father of many children, the father of seven children: three sons and four girls. Moreover, the director is the biological father of only four children. But first things first.
Steven Spielberg's first marriage: 1985-1989
The director's first wife is Amy Irving, an actress and dancer, 7 years younger than Stephen (born 1953). They met on the set in 1976. She was then 23 years old, he was 30. Petite - her height is only 163 cm - and Spielberg’s charming girlfriend did not take advantage of her “official position”. The girl did not want to build her professional career using a romantic relationship with the director and did not star in his films.
The couple broke up in 1980 when the actress left Stephen for another man, singer and actor Willie Nelson. But their feelings flare up with renewed vigor and in 1985 the couple walks down the aisle.
Steven Spielberg with his first wife Amy Irving
On June 13, 1985, Stephen has an heir - his son Max Samuel.
Steven Spielberg's first son Max Samuel with his mother Amy Irving
The celebrity marriage lasted until 1989. The star couple divorced when their son was barely 4 years old. It was not easy to decide to take this step, because Spielberg himself experienced his parents’ divorce and understood that such a situation was difficult for a child to perceive.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Irving admitted that while married to Stephen, she felt like “a politician’s wife”: “There were certain things that were expected of me that were definitely not mine. One of my problems is that I am honest and straightforward, and I have to pay for it.”
The divorce of Steven Spielberg and Amy Irving is included in the TOP 10 “Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces.” It cost Spielberg $100 million
It is interesting that Irving insisted on drawing up a marriage contract, but Stephen was so in love with her that he considered the conclusion of this document pointless. But Amy persuaded Stephen to draw up a contract, and he, practically on a napkin during dinner at a restaurant, wrote down its main points. It was this piece of paper that later helped Irving become a millionaire. Amy now continues to work on stage in Broadway productions and spends much of her time with friends and family, especially her two sons (the second from her remarriage).
Steven Spielberg's second marriage: 1991 - present.
In 1984, Stephen met actress Kate Capshaw. Some sources indicate another year of their acquaintance - 1988. And again, a fateful acquaintance occurs on the set: Kate came to audition for the film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. She managed to beat 120 applicants and get the role of the main character's girlfriend.
Kate Capshaw, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford on the set of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Soon the actress not only gets the main role, but also a place in the heart of the film's director. Their marriage did not take place soon, only in 1991. Taught by bitter experience, Spielberg draws up a marriage contract under which Kate will receive $20 million if she decides to divorce him after 5 years of marriage.
Kate Capshaw already had a daughter, Jessica Capshaw (08/09/1976) from her first marriage (1976-1980) with Robert Capshaw, she was 15 years old at that time.
Jessica Capshaw is the daughter of Steven Spielberg's second wife from his first marriage.
Kate Capshaw also adopted a boy, Theo Theo (born 08/21/1988), who would later be adopted by Stephen. Theo became an actor, best known for his roles in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never Again (2011).
Theo with his famous father
In 1990, before the parents’ wedding, Stephen and Kate’s daughter, Sasha Rebecca, Sasha Rebecca (05/14/1990), was born. Now Sasha is an actress and writer.
Sasha and Theo have an age difference of less than two years; as children they got along well, performed in theater productions and sang in cover bands. In 2010, they founded their own rock band, Wardell, in which Theo plays guitar and Sasha sings.
Steven Spielberg's own daughter Sasha Rebecca and adopted son Theo
The wedding of the actress and director took place on October 12, 1991. At the time of the ceremony, the bride was 37 years old, the groom was 45. After marrying Spielberg, Kate Capshaw converted to Judaism. According to the husband, it was his wife who helped him gain national identification.
Steven Spielberg with his second wife Kate Capshaw
6 months after the wedding, a son, Sawyer Avery, appears in the family (Sawyer Avery, 03/10/1992). In adulthood, he, like his father, is engaged in directing and also acts in films.
son of Stephen Sawyer Avery
In 1996, the couple adopted a girl originally from South Africa, Mikaela George (02/29/1996). Michaela is currently finishing her education and is active on social media and often posts photos of her drawings.
Spielberg's adopted daughter Mikaela George
Almost simultaneously, another one appears in the family, Stephen’s biological daughter Destry Allyn (Destry Allyn, 12/01/1996). Spielberg's wife was 43 years old at the time of her birth. Destry is passionate about the film industry and works as a model from time to time.
Spielberg's daughter's name "Destry" is on the list of "Most Unusual Celebrity Baby Names"
The word “Destri” is not translated in any way, and the spelling is similar only to “destroy” - “to destroy.”
In 2020, Spielberg will celebrate his 28th wedding anniversary. The paparazzi note that their feelings have not faded during this time, since they “catch” a couple hugging on the street while walking.
Let's add that Spielberg is the godfather of Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew Barrymore.
Steven Spielberg with goddaughters Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow
Drew began calling Spielberg “godfather” ever since he helped her, at 7 years old, get the leading role in the film “E.T.”
stills from the film "E.T. Extraterrestrial"
Spielberg's godfather takes care of Drew Barrymore. After her 1995 Playboy shoot, the director sent her a quilt for her 20th birthday with a note that read, “Cover up.”
After candid filming, Drew Barrymore received a blanket as a gift from her godfather
Achievements in the field of cinematography
Steven Spielberg's numerous Oscars impress even seasoned critics. Great successes in the guy’s career began after he signed a contract with Universal. For the first few years, the young man worked on the filming of the popular TV series “Night Gallery”, “Psychiatrist”, “Columbo. Murder by the Book, Something Sinister. In 1971, Stephen first decided to create an action-packed disaster film, The Duel. Only one actor starred in the film. After showing his work, Stephen received long-awaited positive feedback.
In 1974, the producers of Universal offered the aspiring director to shoot his first full-length crime drama. The film was called "The Sugarland Express". Starring Goldie Hawn.
After the enormous success of the film “Jaws,” the producers became interested in the idea of the young and creative director Spielberg to create a new film about alien creatures. Thanks to this, viewers saw popular science films that are filled with real miracles, primitive horror and incredible adventures. The first film was able to collect a fortune.
At the end of 1979, Spielberg tested his directing skills in the comedy genre and shot the satirical film 1941. Two years later, audiences were shown the action adventure Indiana Jones. In Search of the Lost Ark." The main role was played by the talented Harrison Ford.
In 1984, the director created his own film company, Amblin Entertainment, which has produced more than a hundred exciting films. The following list of works from Spielberg’s filmography received the most popularity:
- "Mask of Zorro"
- "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
- "Back to the Future".
Stephen had a good attitude towards literature, which is why he decided to start filming the most interesting works. Viewers liked the films “Empire of the Sun” and “The Color Purple.”
An unusual play of imagination can be seen in world-famous paintings:
- "Jurassic Park. Lost World".
- "Captain Hook".
It was only in mid-2001 that the successful Stephen was able to complete work on the large Artificial Intelligence project. For this reason, he even refused to film the film “Harry Potter”.
Portrait of a Director
"Nervous workaholic"
Spielberg says he gets "very nervous" when making a film. Well, he has the right, as a creative person who often shoots several projects at the same time. The quality does not suffer from its “multi-machine” nature.
Watching movies helps him get in the mood for productive work. True, not their own. Here is a list of paintings that inspire Stephen before writing scripts:
- "Seven Samurai";
- "Lawrence of Arabia";
- "It's a Wonderful Life"
- "Seekers".
The director is known for being able to work very quickly on set and come up with ideas. He may have picked up this habit after filming Jaws, when slower filming could lead to technical problems.
the director prefers to shoot scenes in one take
Spielberg assures that he did not invite stars to his films for the sake of the box office, but gave the role to the actor who was best suited for it: “I invited Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan because he was born to play Captain Miller.”
"I'm very greedy!"
— “Jurassic World” entered the top five highest-grossing films in cinema history — however, you’re probably not surprised by this...
- Of course I’m surprised! I generally don’t know how to predict the success or failure of the films in which I participate, and here there was every reason for modest results: director Colin Trevorow had previously shot only low-budget films, and there was, of course, a certain risk: could he cope with the grandiose process? Dealt with the shine.
— The first “Jurassic Park” became a world sensation because it connected the life of dinosaurs and modern civilization. What was it about the last film in the series that caught your attention?
- An enhanced charge of fantasy. When I was filming “Park...”, technology did not always keep up with what I came up with. It was necessary to either completely abandon the ideas, or, at best, implement them in a general plan, without details. The great Hitchcock said that the worst thing is the anticipation of horror. As the director of Jaws and Jurassic Park, it was my responsibility to build up that anticipation by every means possible. Nowadays there are much more visual means. Capturing the audience's imagination has become easier.
“The Big and Friendly Giant” is the master’s new masterpiece, a story about the friendship of a child with a man of impressive size. Still from the film
— Do you regret the times when cinema did not entertain with special effects, but told stories?
“But it didn’t go anywhere - all the developments were not lost, but migrated to television, which from a producer of a secondary product turned into a full-fledged art industry, which took away both deep characters and detailed presentation from cinema. My oldest daughter, Jessica, has been on TV a lot, and she's seen first-hand how television becomes more powerful every year. There is no point in crying about losses: just as cinema was disconnected from the theater, becoming independent, so television was disconnected from cinema. And, mind you, the process did not stop there: Internet art is making itself known more and more loudly: the series “House of Cards,” for example, was made by the network retailer Netflix. Life separates us and forces us to do our own thing.
— But your films have visuals, history and emotions...
- This is because I am very greedy (laughs) and don’t want to miss anything. “Saving Private Ryan” begins with the scene of the landing of American soldiers in Normandy, and for me the visual sequence was infinitely important, a picture that is self-sufficient. “Schindler's List” combines naked emotions, a creepy story, and equally creepy visuals. This does not mean that I design in advance what will be the main thing - it just turns out that way.
The theme of relationships between children and unusual creatures was started by the director in “The Extraterrestrial.” Photo: globallookpress.com
Steven Allan Spielberg
Photo 1 - Steven Alan Spielberg
This year, the outstanding master and innovator in the world film industry celebrates his seventieth anniversary.
Photo 2 - Steven Alan Spielberg
Steven Spielberg does not receive refusals to shoot his films. There are fantastic and true rumors about him.
The master of horror scenes states in an interview that what he is most afraid of is the moving elevator, relationships between people and children.
Photo 3 - Stephen in his childhood
Steven Alan Spielberg was born on December 18, 1946 in the American city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Has Ukrainian roots. His grandmother lived in Odessa. Mother Leah Adler (Posner) is a restaurateur and pianist. Father Arnold Spielberg is an electrical engineer. As a child, Stephen was often mischievous. His hooligan antics instilled fear in his sisters and aroused the enmity of the surrounding neighbors. He was the only Jewish boy in the class. His peers did not maintain relationships with him, Stephen was in isolation, in an atmosphere of prejudice.
The road from school turned into torture. Passing by his peers, he heard ridicule, barbs, and often received blows.
First successes
Photo 4
Stephen's life changed when his father gave him an 8mm movie camera. Thanks to this gift, it was possible to make dreams and fantasies come true. As a twelve-year-old Boy Scout, he won his first prize for photography. The money helped create the film “The Last Gun,” in which he wrote, directed, and starred family members for the first time. To cover the $50 spent, the enterprising guy set the price for tickets and sweet water during a screening of the film for neighbors in the living room of his house. According to his recollections, the proceeds were $55.
Photo 5 - Stephen on set
Success inspired me. In order to become participants in Stephen’s unusual occupation, nicknamed “man-movie camera,” former enemies became obedient henchmen.
At the age of 13, he wrote a script about a battle in East Africa and independently shot a forty-minute video - “Escape to Nowhere.”
Photo 6
1963 The first serious work was a two-hour film about the abduction of people by a UFO, “Firelight.” The film was shown at a local cinema.
Contrary to accepted dogma
Studying at California State Long Beach University was a burden to his passion for directing and his fantastic ideas for creating large-scale films in a completely new direction.
Photo 7
Inspiration and efficiency filled him with ideas and irresistibly subordinated him to a single goal - to convey his plans to the consciousness of the viewer. The main thing is to amaze, stun, make you believe in the veracity of what is happening on the screen, and feel like a participant in the thick of things. With each new work, Spielberg gained confidence in his abilities.
Photo 8 - Steven Spielberg's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Grand opening
star winner of three Oscars for the films “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan” took place on January 10, 2003
For over forty years, Steven Spielberg has been one of the most successful and influential directors on the planet. With the power of his intellect and unconventional thinking, he presents ingenious solutions in representing the historical realities of different eras.
Photo 9 – the path to glory. Stephen's youthful ambitions (photo left). At the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival (photo on the right).
Thanks to computer special effects, his youthful dreams turn into grandiose spectacles on the silver screen.
Photo 10 – during a break in the filming of the horror film “Jaws”.
Photo 11 – shooting of the next episode
The film Jaws, released in 1975, grossed more than $470 million worldwide. He independently wrote the clarinet part for the film's soundtrack. The music and what is happening on the screen makes the viewer shudder with horror and fear. This was the director's intention. The success of the film brought him fame as an unsurpassed master in creating horror films.
Photo 12 – with the release of the film “Jaws”, the term “blockbuster” appeared
According to Empire magazine's 2004 ranking, Jaws is one of the ten best films of all time.
Director's triumph
In 1994, the poignant drama “Schindler's List” was released. It took Spielberg 10 years to work on the script. The film is the most expensive black-and-white film in history. Spielberg donated the fee for the creation and distribution of the film to the Shoah (Holocaust) Foundation, because believed that he should not dissemble before his conscience. Accepting money would mean a desecration of the memory of the victims.
Photo 13 – reward for titanic work
The reward for the master’s titanic work was seven Oscars, including for best film and director. Rental profits exceeded $321 million.
Photo 14
In the same year, another successful work, Jurassic Park, was released in the genre of science fiction and adventure.
The 1998 war drama Saving Private Ryan won five Academy Awards and earned Spielberg his second Oscar for directing. It was second in the world in terms of box office receipts. (Over $481 million).
Photo 15
The 2005 War of the Worlds, based on the works of Herbert Wales, grossed more than $591 million.
Photo 16
With the participation of Spielberg as a screenwriter, director, actor, producer, and editor, 245 films were created.
His latest project, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's story "The BGF" ("The Big Friendly Giant"), was shown to audiences out of competition at the 69th Cannes International Film Festival. The film is scheduled to be shown on the big screen in July 2020.
The Edge of Talent
Photo 17
About himself as a director, Spielberg said: “I always try to think about the audience when I make my films. The whole point is that I myself am a spectator like everyone else. Being a director means living many lives for me. I think this is the same reason people go to the movies. Money has never really been important to me. They came as a result of success, but were not my original goal."
As of January 2020, his net worth was estimated at $3.6 billion. The box office receipts of all the master's films exceed eight billion dollars.
Steven Spielberg has a frantic pace of work. Usually there are several scenarios in the schedule at the same time. How to keep everything under control? “You just struggle until filming starts, then editing happens, and then the holidays start.”
Public recognition of merit
Photo 18
For his enormous contribution to world cinema and coverage of the Jewish genocide in 2008, Steven Spielberg was awarded the highest distinction in France - the Legion of Honor. In 2009, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom for his active promotion of the basic principles of democracy in the United States.
Queen Elizabeth II made him a Knight Commander for his invaluable contribution to the development of British industry.
Other articles about cinema:
- Father of Cinema Auguste Lumière
- Anatoly Papanov
- Sergey Bezrukov
- Oscar record holders
- Winners of the Oscar for Best Actor in the last 10 years
Cinema, Art, Interesting, Interesting facts, Personalities, Great men
Comments YaNikon
10.06.2017 21:50:00
Spielberg is a genius. Perhaps not all of his films will be legends (you can’t watch Jaws after so many years without laughing), but he brought many new techniques to cinema, seriously influenced the development of special effects and is generally very good)
Not Spielberg
10.08.2019 23:53:11
How many talented directors!
Schindler's List is a must-see movie. Just at least so that people begin to appreciate more what they now have and to thank in their souls the people who, at the cost of their lives and health, gave peace without war. Add a comment
Films based on literary subjects
Spielberg not only shot original stories, but also often took on film adaptations of popular book works.
Films were made:
- "Jurassic Park: The Lost World."
- "Jurassic Park".
- "Captain Hook".
"Schindler's List", which was dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, earned enormous popularity and received 7 Oscars. Spielberg was also awarded this high award. In 1998, the director completed the war film Saving Private Ryan, which starred Tom Hanks. In 2001, Stephen completed work on the film “Artificial Intelligence”.
Spielberg's historical drama, which received a huge number of awards and nominations
In the following years, 10 popular films were released, including “The Terminal”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “War of the Worlds”, etc. In many projects, Stephen acted not only as a director, but also as a screenwriter and occasional actor.
