Steven Spielberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steven Spielberg
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Spielberg in 2023
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| Born | December 18, 1946 Cincinnati, Ohio, US
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| Alma mater | California State University, Long Beach (BA) |
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| Years active | 1959–present |
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Works
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| Children | 6, including Sasha, Sawyer and Destry |
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| Awards | Full list |
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Steven Allan Spielberg (born December 18, 1946) is a famous American filmmaker. He is known as one of the greatest directors ever. Many of his movies have been huge hits, making him the most successful director in film history.
Spielberg has won many awards, including three Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and two BAFTA Awards. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Seven of his films are kept in the National Film Registry because they are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He later moved to California to study film. After directing some TV shows, he made his first full-length film, Duel (1971). His first movie shown in theaters was The Sugarland Express (1974). He became very famous with the summer hit Jaws (1975).
Contents
Early Life and First Films
Steven Allan Spielberg was born on December 18, 1946. His mother, Leah, was a pianist, and his father, Arnold Spielberg, was an electrical engineer. His family was Jewish. In 1952, his family moved to Haddon Township, New Jersey. Later, in 1957, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona.
Steven loved making movies from a young age. At 12, he made a home movie about toy trains crashing. In 1958, as a Boy Scout, he made a nine-minute film called The Last Gunfight to earn a photography badge. He used his father's camera for many amateur films. At 13, he made a 40-minute war film, Escape to Nowhere, which won a prize.
He watched many films growing up, like Godzilla, King of the Monsters and Lawrence of Arabia. He said Lawrence of Arabia inspired him to become a filmmaker. In 1963, he directed his first independent science fiction film, Firelight. It cost under $600 and was shown once in a local theater.
After high school, he wanted to go to film school but was not accepted. He then went to California State University, Long Beach. In 1968, Universal Studios gave him a chance to direct a short film, Amblin'. The studio was impressed and offered him a seven-year directing contract. He left college to direct TV shows, becoming the youngest director to sign a long-term deal with a major Hollywood studio.
Early TV and Movie Work
Spielberg started his professional career with a segment of Night Gallery in 1969. Some people were unsure about his lack of experience. However, actress Joan Crawford saw his talent and praised his work.
In the early 1970s, Spielberg directed episodes for TV shows like Columbo. He used these chances to try out new filmmaking techniques. He got good reviews and impressed producers.
His first TV movie, Duel (1971), was about a salesman chased by a truck. It was so good that it was later released in movie theaters around the world. Critics loved it, calling it a thrilling suspense film.
Spielberg's first movie for theaters was The Sugarland Express (1974). It was based on a true story about a couple trying to get their baby back. This film was his first time working with composer John Williams. Even though it won an award at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival, it didn't make much money. However, critics saw his potential, with one saying "a major new director is on the horizon."
Becoming a Blockbuster Director
The Jaws Sensation
Producers gave Spielberg a chance to direct Jaws (1975), a thriller about a great white shark attacking a beach town. Filming was very hard because the mechanical shark often broke down. This forced Spielberg to be creative and suggest the shark's presence without showing it too much.
Jaws became a massive success, breaking box office records and making Spielberg a household name. It won three Academy Awards. Even famous director Alfred Hitchcock praised Spielberg for his unique camera work.
Close Encounters and Indiana Jones
After Jaws, Spielberg directed Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), a film about UFOs. He used special film and recording systems for the best quality. The movie was very popular and won two Academy Awards. Critics called Spielberg "a magician."
His next film, 1941 (1979), was a comedy about Californians preparing for a Japanese invasion. Spielberg had not directed a comedy before, and the film received mixed reviews.
In 1981, Spielberg directed Raiders of the Lost Ark, an adventure film about archaeologist Indiana Jones. It was a tribute to old adventure serials. The film was a huge hit and won five Academy Awards. It was the first movie in the Indiana Jones series.
Spielberg returned to science fiction with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). It tells the story of a boy, Elliot, who befriends an alien. Spielberg filmed it in a special way to make the actors' performances feel real. E.T. was a massive success, earning $700 million worldwide and winning four Academy Awards. Many people, including President Ronald Reagan, were deeply moved by the film.
He also co-produced Poltergeist (1982) and contributed to Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983).
His next film was the prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). This movie was darker than the first and led to the creation of the PG-13 rating because some parts were intense for younger viewers. Even though Spielberg later said he wasn't completely happy with it, the film was a blockbuster. On this movie, he met Kate Capshaw, who later became his wife.
Award-Winning Dramas
Exploring New Stories
Between 1984 and 1990, Spielberg also produced many successful films for his company, Amblin Entertainment. These included Gremlins (1984), Back to the Future (1985), and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988).
In 1985, Spielberg directed The Color Purple, a drama about African-American women in the South. This was his first time directing a serious drama, and it was a big hit. It received eleven Academy Award nominations.
He then directed Empire of the Sun (1987), filmed in Shanghai. It was about a young British boy who becomes a prisoner during World War II. Critics had mixed feelings at first, but many later called it a great work.
In 1989, he directed Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, bringing back Harrison Ford and adding Sean Connery as Indiana Jones's father. This film was more family-friendly and was a big box office success. He also directed Always, a romantic drama that was a remake of one of his favorite childhood films.
In 1991, Spielberg directed Hook, a story about a middle-aged Peter Pan. The film earned over $300 million worldwide.
Jurassic Park and Schindler's List
In 1993, Spielberg released two huge films. First was Jurassic Park, a science fiction thriller about a park with recreated dinosaurs. It used amazing computer-generated imagery and became the highest-grossing film ever at that time. It won three Academy Awards.
The second film was Schindler's List, a powerful drama about Oskar Schindler, who saved over 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust. Spielberg waited ten years to make this film, feeling he needed to be more mature. He filmed it in Poland while still editing Jurassic Park.
Schindler's List was a commercial success, and Spielberg used his earnings to start the USC Shoah Foundation, an organization that collects stories from Holocaust survivors. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Spielberg's first Best Director award. It is considered one of the best films ever made.
In 1994, Spielberg took a break and co-founded his new film studio, DreamWorks. He returned to directing with The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), a sequel to Jurassic Park. This film also made a lot of money.
He then directed Amistad (1997), based on the true story of a slave ship rebellion. Spielberg was hesitant to make it, but felt it was important. The film did not do as well at the box office.
In 1998, Spielberg released the World War II epic Saving Private Ryan. It tells the story of soldiers trying to find a paratrooper whose brothers were killed in the war. The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of war and earned Spielberg his second Academy Award for Best Director. He and actor Tom Hanks later received a public service medal for the film.
Modern Movies and New Ideas
Science Fiction and History
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Spielberg directed A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), a science fiction film that Stanley Kubrick had planned to make. It's about an android boy who wants to become a "real boy." The film won several awards.
He followed this with Minority Report (2002), another sci-fi film starring Tom Cruise. Critics praised its detailed world and storytelling. That same year, he directed Catch Me If You Can, based on the true story of a con artist. This film was both a critical and commercial success.
In 2004, Spielberg directed The Terminal, a comedy about a man stuck in an airport. He then directed War of the Worlds (2005), an alien invasion film starring Tom Cruise. It was a big box office hit.
Spielberg's film Munich (2005) was about the Israeli government's secret response to the 1972 Munich Massacre. It was a serious film that received five Academy Award nominations.
In 2008, Spielberg returned to the Indiana Jones series with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was released 19 years after the last film. While some fans had mixed feelings about the new sci-fi elements, it was a box office success.
Animated and Historical Films
Starting in 2009, Spielberg began working on a trilogy of animated films based on The Adventures of Tintin comics. The first film, The Secret of the Unicorn (2011), was co-produced by Peter Jackson. It won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.
Spielberg also directed War Horse (2011), a film about a boy and his horse during World War I. It was praised by critics and nominated for six Academy Awards.
In 2012, Spielberg directed the historical drama Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln. The film showed the final months of Lincoln's life and his efforts to abolish slavery. It was highly praised and nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning two.
Recent Work
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In 2015, Spielberg directed Bridge of Spies, a Cold War thriller starring Tom Hanks. It was based on a true story about a lawyer negotiating a spy exchange. The film was popular with critics and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2016, he directed The BFG, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book. It was the first Disney-branded film directed by Spielberg.
A year later, Spielberg directed The Post (2017), about The Washington Post newspaper printing the Pentagon Papers. It starred Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.
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In 2018, he directed the science fiction film Ready Player One, based on a popular novel. It was praised for its action and visual effects.
In 2021, Spielberg directed West Side Story, an adaptation of the famous musical. It received positive reviews and seven Academy Award nominations.
Spielberg's 2022 film The Fabelmans is a story inspired by his own childhood and growing up. It received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Spielberg was originally going to direct Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but he became a producer instead. He is also planning to direct a new film about UFOs in 2025.
Behind the Scenes: Producing and More
Spielberg has produced many films and TV shows. His first film as an executive producer was I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978). In 1980, he co-founded Amblin Productions. This company produced films like Gremlins (1984), Back to the Future (1985), and Men in Black (1997). He also produced cartoons like Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs.
In 1994, Spielberg co-founded DreamWorks with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. He wanted more creative control over his projects. DreamWorks produced animated films like Shrek (2001), which won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Spielberg and Tom Hanks also produced the acclaimed HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010), both about World War II. He has also been involved in video games, helping create The Dig and the Medal of Honor series. He enjoys playing video games himself.
In 1997, Spielberg started producing for the theater. He was involved in a production of The Diary of Anne Frank. In 2022, he made his Broadway debut as a co-producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
How He Makes Movies
His Inspirations
Spielberg has been influenced by many directors, including Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean, and Stanley Kubrick. He also loved foreign films and the TV series The Twilight Zone.
His Filming Style
Spielberg often uses storyboards to plan his scenes, except for films like E.T. He likes to film quickly and get many different shots so he has lots of choices when editing. He often uses high and low camera angles, long shots, and handheld cameras. He also likes wide-angle lenses to create depth in his shots.
Common Themes
Many of Spielberg's films feature "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances." These characters often have challenges but become heroes. A common theme in his family-friendly movies is a sense of wonder and belief in the good in humanity. He also explores childhood, losing innocence, and the importance of parents. His interest in alien life comes from his father, who was a science fiction fan.
People He Works With
Spielberg often works with the same talented people. Michael Kahn has edited almost all of his films since the 1970s. He also works closely with production designer Rick Carter and writer David Koepp.
He often casts the same actors, like Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Mark Rylance, Richard Dreyfuss, and Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise once called him "the greatest storyteller cinema's ever known."
Janusz Kamiński has been the cinematographer for many of Spielberg's films, starting with Schindler's List. He won two Academy Awards for his work on Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan.
Spielberg's long partnership with composer John Williams began in 1974. Williams has composed the music for almost all of Spielberg's films. He won three Academy Awards for his music in Spielberg's movies, including Jaws, E.T., and Schindler's List.
His Life Outside Films
Spielberg met actress Amy Irving in 1976. They married in 1985 and had a son, Max. They later divorced in 1989.
He met actress Kate Capshaw when he cast her in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. They married in 1991. Kate converted to Judaism before their marriage, which Spielberg said helped him reconnect with his Jewish heritage. They live in Pacific Palisades, California and East Hampton, New York.
He has five children with Kate: Sasha, Sawyer, and Destry, and two adopted children, Theo and Mikaela. He also has a stepdaughter, Jessica Capshaw. He is the godfather to actresses Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Spielberg was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 60. In 2022, at age 75, he recovered from COVID-19.
His Views
Spielberg usually supports the Democratic Party in the US. He has been a friend of former President Bill Clinton. He supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
In 2001, he resigned from the national advisory board of the Boy Scouts of America because he disagreed with their stance against homosexuality. In 2008, he stepped down as an advisor for the 2008 Summer Olympics due to concerns about the Chinese government's actions regarding the War in Darfur.
Spielberg and his wife have also supported same-sex marriage in California. In 2018, they donated to the March for Our Lives student demonstration, which supports gun control. In 2023, after attacks on Israel, the USC Shoah Foundation (which Spielberg founded) began collecting testimonies from those affected to preserve history and fight against hate.
Film List
Spielberg has directed 36 feature films and produced many other works.
| Year | Title | Distributor |
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| 1964 | Firelight | Phoenix Theatre |
| 1971 | Duel | Universal Pictures |
| 1974 | The Sugarland Express | |
| 1975 | Jaws | |
| 1977 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind | Columbia Pictures |
| 1979 | 1941 | Universal Pictures / Columbia Pictures |
| 1981 | Raiders of the Lost Ark | Paramount Pictures |
| 1982 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | Universal Pictures |
| 1983 | Twilight Zone: The Movie | Warner Bros. |
| 1984 | Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Paramount Pictures |
| 1985 | The Color Purple | Warner Bros. |
| 1987 | Empire of the Sun | |
| 1989 | Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | Paramount Pictures |
| Always | Universal Pictures | |
| 1991 | Hook | TriStar Pictures |
| 1993 | Jurassic Park | Universal Pictures |
| Schindler's List | ||
| 1997 | The Lost World: Jurassic Park | |
| Amistad | DreamWorks Pictures | |
| 1998 | Saving Private Ryan | DreamWorks Pictures / Paramount Pictures |
| 2001 | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Warner Bros. Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures |
| 2002 | Minority Report | 20th Century Fox |
| Catch Me If You Can | DreamWorks Pictures | |
| 2004 | The Terminal | |
| 2005 | War of the Worlds | Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures |
| Munich | Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures | |
| 2008 | Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull | Paramount Pictures |
| 2011 | The Adventures of Tintin | Paramount Pictures / Sony Pictures Releasing |
| War Horse | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | |
| 2012 | Lincoln | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / 20th Century Fox |
| 2015 | Bridge of Spies | |
| 2016 | The BFG | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
| 2017 | The Post | 20th Century Fox |
| 2018 | Ready Player One | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| 2021 | West Side Story | 20th Century Studios |
| 2022 | The Fabelmans | Universal Pictures |
Awards and Recognition
Steven Spielberg has won three Academy Awards. He has been nominated nine times for Best Director, winning twice for Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. He is the only director to be nominated for Best Director in six different decades.
In 1987, he received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for his work as a creative producer. He also helped the Boy Scouts of America create a merit badge for cinematography. In 1995, he received the AFI Life Achievement Award.
In 1998, he was given the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for Schindler's List and his work with the USC Shoah Foundation. He also received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1999 for Saving Private Ryan.
Spielberg has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since 2003. In 2006, he received a Kennedy Center Honor. He was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2009, he received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for his amazing contributions to entertainment.
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In 2001, he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his work in the British film industry. In 2004, he received France's highest civilian honor, the Legion of Honour. In 2009, he was given the Philadelphia Liberty Medal.
In 2013, Spielberg was honored by the National Archives and Records Administration. In 2015, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the White House. He also has honorary degrees from several universities, including Harvard University.
His Impact on Film
Spielberg is one of the most successful film directors in history. In 1996, Life magazine called him the most influential person of his generation. Empire magazine ranked him number one on a list of the greatest film directors of all time in 2005.
Many other famous directors admire his work, including Martin Scorsese and Peter Jackson. Film critic Tom Shone said Spielberg's work shows what film does best. In a 1999 survey, Spielberg was the most popular director among British film fans.
Seven of his films are preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress because they are important to culture, history, or art. These films include Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List.
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Steven Spielberg's signature
