Morgan Neville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morgan Neville
|
|
|---|---|
Neville at the Deauville
American Film Festival in 2013 |
|
| Born | October 10, 1967 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Film producer, director and writer |
| Years active | 1993–present |
|
Notable work
|
20 Feet from Stardom Best of Enemies Won't You Be My Neighbor? |
Morgan Neville (born October 10, 1967) is an American filmmaker who creates documentaries. These are movies that tell true stories about real people and events.
His film 20 Feet from Stardom was a huge success. It won an Academy Award (also known as an Oscar) in 2014. It also won a Grammy Award for being the best music film of the year.
You might also know his 2018 film, Won't You Be My Neighbor?. This popular documentary tells the story of Fred Rogers, the friendly host of the children's TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It became the highest-earning biographical documentary ever made.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Morgan Neville was born in Los Angeles, California. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he started his career as a journalist. He wrote for publications in New York City and San Francisco.
In 1993, he decided to switch to making films. He started his own company, Tremolo Productions, in 1999. He still runs the company today, creating movies and TV shows.
Telling Stories Through Film
Finding Stories in Music
Many of Neville's films are about music and musicians. He has made documentaries about famous artists like Johnny Cash and Muddy Waters. He believes music is a great way to tell bigger stories about life and culture.
Neville once said that the best music films are not just about music. He explained, "Music is just the language we're speaking to tell a story about culture." For him, music is like a "Trojan horse" that lets him explore all kinds of interesting topics.
Exploring Important Ideas
Besides music, Neville also makes films about other parts of culture, like politics and the media. His 2015 film Best of Enemies is about a series of famous TV debates between two writers, Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley. The film looks at how politics and television have changed over time.
His film about Fred Rogers, Won't You Be My Neighbor?, focuses on the power of kindness. It shows how being understanding can make a big difference in a community.
Notable Works
Neville has directed and produced many popular films and television series.
Famous Films
- 20 Feet from Stardom (2013): An Oscar-winning film about backup singers for famous musicians.
- Best of Enemies (2015): A look at the historic debates between two political thinkers.
- The Music of Strangers (2015): Follows the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble.
- Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018): A beloved documentary about TV host Fred Rogers.
- Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021): A film about the life of chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain.
- Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022): Explores the history and cultural impact of Mickey Mouse.
Popular TV Shows
- Abstract: The Art of Design: A series that looks into the minds of famous designers.
- Ugly Delicious: A food show that explores how different cultures make similar dishes.
- Song Exploder: A series where musicians break down their songs and explain how they were made.
Personal Life
Morgan Neville lives in Pasadena, California, with his wife and their two children.
