George Miller (filmmaker) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Miller
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Miller in 2017
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| Born | 3 March 1945 Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia
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| Education | Sydney Boys High School, Ipswich Grammar School |
| Alma mater | University of New South Wales |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
Sandy Gore
(m. 1985; div. 1992)Margaret Sixel
(m. 1995) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Bill Miller (brother) |
| Awards | Full list |
George Miller is an Australian filmmaker born on March 3, 1945. He is famous for creating and directing the entire Mad Max film series, which started in 1979. Two of his Mad Max films are considered among the greatest action movies ever made.
Over his long career, George Miller has won many awards, including an Academy Award. He first worked as a doctor before becoming a filmmaker. He also co-founded a production company called Kennedy Miller Mitchell.
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Early Life and Education
George Miller was born in Chinchilla, Queensland, Australia. His parents, Jim and Angela Miller, were immigrants from Greece. His father's family changed their last name from Miliotis to Miller when they moved to Australia.
Miller went to Ipswich Grammar School and Sydney Boys High School. He then studied medicine at the University of New South Wales with his twin brother, John. While in medical school in 1971, he and his younger brother Chris made a short film called St. Vincent's Revue Film. It won first prize in a student competition.
In 1971, George met Byron Kennedy at a film workshop. They became good friends and started a production company together, Kennedy Miller Productions. George finished his medical training in 1972. He spent his free time working on short films. After Byron Kennedy passed away in 1983, Miller kept his friend's name in the company. It was later renamed Kennedy Miller Mitchell in 2009 to include producer Doug Mitchell.
Filmmaking Career
The Mad Max Films Begin (1971–1985)
George Miller's first film was a short called Violence in Cinema: Part 1 (1971). It caused a lot of discussion because of how it showed violence. In 1979, Miller directed his first full-length movie, Mad Max. He wrote the script with James McCausland. The film was made independently and became a huge international success.
Because Mad Max was so popular, it led to a series of films. Miller directed two more Mad Max movies starring Mel Gibson: Mad Max 2 (also known as The Road Warrior) in 1981, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985.
Between the second and third Mad Max films, Miller directed a part of the movie Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). A helicopter accident during the filming of this movie, which he was not present for, made him rethink how stunts were done in his future films. He also helped produce and direct several TV mini-series in Australia.
Becoming an Established Director (1987–1995)
In 1987, Miller directed The Witches of Eastwick. This movie starred famous actors like Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Cher, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Making this film was challenging for Miller, but Jack Nicholson encouraged him to keep going.
After The Witches of Eastwick, Miller mostly focused on producing Australian films. He produced movies like Flirting and Dead Calm, and TV mini-series like Bangkok Hilton. These films helped launch the career of actress Nicole Kidman.
Miller returned to directing with the movie Lorenzo's Oil (1992). He co-wrote this true story about a medical drama with Nick Enright. The film starred Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon and received great reviews. Miller was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay.
Babe and Happy Feet Films (1995–2011)
In 1995, Miller produced and co-wrote the popular comedy-drama Babe. The film was a big success and earned seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Miller for Best Adapted Screenplay. Miller then wrote and directed the sequel, Babe: Pig in the City (1998). Critics praised his work on the sequel, with one calling it the best film of 1998.
Miller also created the animated musical film Happy Feet (2006), which is about penguins in Antarctica. The movie was a huge hit, earning over $363 million worldwide. It also won Miller his first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Critics admired the film's depth and moral message.
In 2007, Miller planned to direct a Justice League film, but it faced delays and was eventually put on hold. In 2011, the sequel Happy Feet Two was released.
Recent Successes (2015–Present)
In 2012, Miller began filming Mad Max: Fury Road, the fourth movie in the Mad Max series. The film, starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, was released on May 15, 2015. It was a big box office success and received widespread praise, with many calling it one of the greatest action films ever made. The New York Times called it a "Critic's Pick." The movie received 10 Academy Award nominations, and Miller was nominated for Best Director.
In October 2018, it was announced that Miller would direct Three Thousand Years of Longing. This film, starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022. Critics described it as a heartfelt adventure story.
In 2020, it was reported that Miller would next direct Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a spin-off from the Mad Max series. This film, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival to great reviews. Critics praised Miller's inventive filmmaking and his vision for the Mad Max world.
Personal Life
George Miller was married to actress Sandy Gore from 1985 to 1992, and they have a daughter. Since 1995, he has been married to film editor Margaret Sixel. They have two sons. Margaret Sixel has worked on many of Miller's films.
Miller has stated that he is a feminist. He is also a supporter of the Australian Film Institute and the Brisbane International Film Festival. He is a co-patron of the Sydney Film Festival. One of his favorite films is the 1940 version of Pinocchio.
Awards and Recognition
George Miller has received many honors throughout his career.
- In 1996, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
- He has received several honorary degrees from universities, including the University of New South Wales and Griffith University.
- In 2009, he was awarded the French Order of the Arts and Letters.
- In 2016, he was the head of the jury for the main award at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.
- In 2018, he was added to the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.
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See also
In Spanish: George Miller para niños
