Michael Moore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Moore
Moore at the 2009 Venice Film Festival
Born	Michael Francis Moore (1954-04-23) April 23, 1954 (age 71) Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Filmmaker author activist
Years active	1976–present
Spouse(s)	Kathleen Glynn ​ ​ (m. 1991; div. 2014)​

Michael Francis Moore (born April 23, 1954) is an American filmmaker, author, and activist. He is famous for making documentary films that explore important social, political, and economic issues in the United States.

Moore's films often ask tough questions about big companies, the government, and American society. He became well-known for his first documentary, Roger & Me, which showed what happened to his hometown of Flint, Michigan, after a major car company closed its factories.

He won an Academy Award for his film Bowling for Columbine. This film looked at the causes of gun violence in America. His film Fahrenheit 9/11 became the highest-grossing documentary of all time in the U.S. It examined the presidency of George W. Bush and the War on Terror.

Moore's work often creates a lot of discussion. He has been called one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

Early Life and School

Michael Francis Moore was born in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in the nearby town of Davison. His father, mother, and grandfather all worked for General Motors, a major car manufacturer. His uncle was one of the founders of the United Automobile Workers, a union that helps protect car factory workers.

Moore was raised in a Catholic family. He went to St. John's Elementary School and later attended Davison High School. In high school, he was active in drama and debate.

When he was 18, Moore was elected to the local school board. This made him one of the youngest people ever elected to a public office in the United States at that time.

Career as a Filmmaker

Before making films, Moore worked as a journalist. He started his own newspaper called The Flint Voice. The money he earned from his journalism work helped him fund his first movie.

What are Michael Moore's most famous films?

Moore is known for his unique style of documentary filmmaking. He often appears in his own movies, interviewing people and adding his own commentary.

Roger & Me (1989)

Moore at the 66th Venice International Film Festival in September 2009

Moore's first film, Roger & Me, explored what happened to his hometown of Flint after General Motors (GM) closed several car factories. The title refers to Roger B. Smith, who was the head of GM at the time. The film showed how the factory closures affected the people and the city.

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

This film investigates gun violence in the United States. It was made after the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. Moore explores why America has more gun-related deaths than other countries. Bowling for Columbine won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. When he accepted the award, Moore made a speech criticizing President George W. Bush and the Iraq War.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)

Fahrenheit 9/11 looks at the actions of President George W. Bush's administration after the September 11 attacks. The film suggests connections between the Bush family and powerful families in Saudi Arabia. It became the highest-grossing documentary in U.S. history and won the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. The film was very controversial and sparked a lot of debate.

Sicko (2007)

Moore at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Sicko

In Sicko, Moore examines the American healthcare system. He compares it to the healthcare systems in other countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and France, which offer free healthcare to their citizens. The film argues that the U.S. system is unfair because it is run by companies focused on making money. Sicko was also nominated for an Academy Award.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

This film explores the 2008 financial crisis and the American economic system of capitalism. Moore argues that the system benefits the rich at the expense of ordinary people. He called on Americans to become more involved in their democracy to create change.

More Recent Films

• Where to Invade Next (2015): Moore travels to different countries to see what ideas the U.S. could "steal" from them, such as better school lunches in France and tuition-free college in Slovenia.
• Michael Moore in TrumpLand (2016): A film of Moore's one-man stage show where he talked about the 2016 United States presidential election.
• Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018): A follow-up to his earlier film, this documentary examines the presidency of Donald Trump and the political state of America.

Writing and Other Work

Moore at UCLA to promote his book Here Comes Trouble in 2011

Besides making films, Michael Moore has written several best-selling books. His books, like his films, often criticize politicians and large corporations. Some of his most famous books include Stupid White Men and Dude, Where's My Country?.

He has also created television shows, including TV Nation and The Awful Truth. These shows used humor and satire to report on serious issues.

Moore has also directed music videos for bands like Rage Against the Machine and R.E.M..

Political Views

Michael Moore is known for his strong political opinions and activism. He believes that all citizens should be politically active for a democracy to work well. He is often described as having left-wing populist views, meaning he supports the interests of ordinary people against the powerful and wealthy.

Moore made fun of President George W. Bush's reaction when he was told about the September 11 attacks.

He has been a vocal critic of several U.S. presidents, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. He supported Barack Obama for president in 2008 but later criticized some of his policies.

In the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, Moore was a strong supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders. He believes in ideas like universal healthcare and free college education, which are often associated with democratic socialism.

Moore has also been a supporter of protest movements like Occupy Wall Street, which called for more economic equality.

Personal Life

Moore married Kathleen Glynn in 1991. She was a producer on many of his early films. They divorced in 2014.

He was raised Catholic but has said he does not agree with all of the church's teachings.

In 2005, Time magazine named Moore one of the 100 most influential people in the world. That same year, he started the Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan to help promote independent films.

Filmography

Images for kids

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  Moore at a rally in New York City, November 12, 2016

See also

In Spanish: Michael Moore para niños