Randal Kleiser facts for kids

John Randal Kleiser (born July 20, 1946) is an American director, producer, and screenwriter who has created some of Hollywood's most memorable movies. He is famous for directing the hit musical Grease (1978), the adventure film The Blue Lagoon (1980), the sci-fi classic Flight of the Navigator (1986), and the Disney adventure White Fang (1991).

From Student Films to Hollywood

John Randal Kleiser was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. From a young age, he was interested in movies. He went to Radnor High School and later studied film at the University of Southern California (USC).

While at USC, Kleiser was friends with another future famous director, George Lucas. Kleiser even acted in one of Lucas's student films called Freiheit. Kleiser's own student film, Peege (1973), was a big success. It was about the special connection between a grandson and his grandmother. The film won awards and was later chosen by the U.S. Library of Congress to be preserved in the National Film Registry, a collection of America's most important films.

Starting a Career in TV

After college, Kleiser began directing television movies. He directed The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976), which starred a young actor named John Travolta. Kleiser also directed the Emmy Award-winning TV movie The Gathering (1977).

His work with John Travolta was very important. Travolta was so impressed with Kleiser that he recommended him to direct the movie musical Grease. This became Kleiser's first major feature film and a huge success.

Directing Famous Feature Films

After the success of Grease, Kleiser directed many other popular movies. He took audiences to a deserted island with Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon (1980) and directed the sci-fi adventure Flight of the Navigator (1986). Flight of the Navigator was one of the first movies to use a special effect called digital morphing, where one image smoothly transforms into another.

His other well-known films include:

• Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
• White Fang (1991), a Disney movie based on the classic book.
• Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), a fun comedy sequel.

Kleiser also worked with Disney to direct the 3-D film Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! for their theme parks. This popular attraction brought back many of the actors from Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.

Selected Filmography

Here are some of the most famous movies Randal Kleiser has been involved with as a director, writer, or producer.

Awards and Recognition

Randal Kleiser's work has been recognized with several award nominations.

• Nominated for Best Director at the Saturn Awards for Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.
• Nominated for Best Director at the Saturn Awards for Flight of the Navigator.

See also

In Spanish: Randal Kleiser para niños