Steven Spielberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steven Spielberg KBE
Spielberg in 2023
Born	Steven Allan Spielberg (1946-12-18) December 18, 1946 (age 79) Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Education	California State University, Long Beach (BA)
Occupation	Film director producer screenwriter
Years active	1959–present
Works	Filmography unrealized projects
Spouse(s)	Amy Irving ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 1989)​ Kate Capshaw ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	6, including Sasha, Sawyer, and Destry
Parent(s)	Arnold Spielberg (father)
Relatives	Anne Spielberg (sister) Nancy Spielberg (sister) Jessica Capshaw (stepdaughter)
Awards	Full list
Signature

Steven Allan Spielberg, born on December 18, 1946, is a famous American filmmaker. He is known as one of the greatest and most influential directors in movie history. Spielberg helped create the idea of the "blockbuster" film, which are huge, popular movies. He has won many awards, including three Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. In February 2026, he achieved the rare "EGOT" status. This means he has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Forbes magazine has called him the wealthiest celebrity.

Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He later moved to California to study film. After directing several TV episodes, he made the TV movie Duel (1971). His first movie for theaters was The Sugarland Express (1974). This film also began his long partnership with composer John Williams. Spielberg became very famous with the summer blockbuster Jaws (1975). He continued to direct popular films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), and the original Indiana Jones trilogy (1981–1989). He also directed serious dramas such as The Color Purple (1985).

In 1993, Spielberg directed two huge hits: the science fiction film Jurassic Park and the historical drama Schindler's List. Jurassic Park was the highest-grossing film at that time. Schindler's List is often called one of the greatest films ever made. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Schindler's List and for the World War II film Saving Private Ryan (1998). Spielberg has also directed many other films, including A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Minority Report (2002), Lincoln (2012), and The Fabelmans (2022).

Spielberg helped start Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures. He has produced many successful films and TV shows. These include Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and Transformers (2007–present). Many of his films are considered classics and some are among the highest-grossing films ever. Seven of his films are preserved in the National Film Registry because they are "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

Steven Spielberg's Early Life and Inspirations

Steven Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 18, 1946. He was the oldest of four children. His mother, Leah Adler, was a talented pianist. His father, Arnold, was an electrical engineer who worked with computers. His family had a Jewish background. Spielberg's grandparents came from Ukraine. He has three younger sisters: Anne, Sue, and Nancy. His grandmother taught English to people who had survived the Holocaust. One man taught young Steven numbers by showing him the numbers tattooed on his arm. Spielberg later said he didn't fully understand the importance of this lesson until he was older.

In 1952, his family moved to Haddon Township, New Jersey. Later, in 1957, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Steven had his bar mitzvah when he was thirteen. His family was active in their Jewish community. Spielberg's parents often spoke about the Holocaust, a terrible historical event where many Jewish people suffered. His father lost many relatives during this time. Steven sometimes felt uneasy about his Jewish heritage when he was younger. He even faced unkindness from others in high school because he was Jewish. As he grew up, his family moved often, and they were sometimes the only Jewish family in their new neighborhoods.

Steven's parents took him to see a movie called The Greatest Show on Earth when he was young. He thought they were going to a circus! He was scared by a train crash scene in the movie. At age 12, he used his toy trains to recreate the crash and filmed it. This was his very first home movie. He became a Boy Scout and even earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For a photography badge, he made a short Western film. He used his father's camera to make many amateur movies. At 13, he made a 40-minute war film with his friends, which won an award. His father's stories about World War II taught him that war was not glorious. This made him want to tell true stories about war in his future films.

Every Saturday, Steven went to the movie theater in Phoenix. He loved films like Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Lawrence of Arabia. He said Lawrence of Arabia inspired him to become a filmmaker. In high school, he made a 140-minute science fiction film called Firelight. His father helped pay for it. This early film later inspired his movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Firelight was shown once in a local theater and earned a small profit.

Steven once took a tour of Universal Studios. He managed to get a three-day pass. After that, he spent two months there, learning all he could. His family later moved to Saratoga, California. When he was a teenager, his parents divorced. Steven moved to Los Angeles with his father. He said that this difficult time made him use his imagination even more. He felt that creating an alien character would help him deal with his parents' separation. He always wanted to be a filmmaker, not focusing much on school. He was not accepted into one film school. He then went to California State University, Long Beach. In 1968, Universal Studios asked him to direct a short film called Amblin'. A studio executive was so impressed that he offered Steven a seven-year directing contract. Steven left college to start directing TV shows for Universal. He became the youngest director to sign such a big deal with a Hollywood studio. In 2002, he returned to college to finish his degree.

Steven once met a famous director named John Ford. Ford gave him advice about filmmaking. He told Steven to pay attention to where the horizon was placed in paintings. Ford explained that understanding how to frame a shot, like placing the horizon at the top or bottom, was important for a good filmmaker.

Steven Spielberg's Filmmaking Journey

1969–1974: Early Television and Film Work

Spielberg started his professional career directing a segment for the TV show Night Gallery in 1969. Some people were unsure about his lack of experience. However, actress Joan Crawford saw his talent and praised his unique ideas.

In the early 1970s, Spielberg directed episodes for several TV shows. These included Columbo and Marcus Welby, M.D.. He used these opportunities to try out new filmmaking techniques. His work impressed producers, and he started earning a steady income.

Universal then signed Spielberg to direct four TV films. The first was Duel (1971). It was about a salesman chased by a scary truck driver. The film was so good that Universal decided to release it in movie theaters internationally. Duel became Spielberg's first movie released in cinemas. He also directed The Sugarland Express (1974), his official theatrical debut. This film starred Goldie Hawn and was the first time he worked with composer John Williams.

1975–1980: Becoming a Blockbuster Director

Producers gave Spielberg a chance to direct Jaws (1975). This thriller was about a great white shark attacking people at a beach. Filming in the open ocean was very difficult, and the mechanical shark often broke down. Despite the challenges, Jaws was a huge success. It broke box-office records and made Spielberg a household name. The film won several Academy Awards. Spielberg said the broken shark actually made the movie better, as he had to find creative ways to suggest the shark's presence.

After Jaws, Spielberg directed Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). This film was about UFOs and aliens. Spielberg used special filming techniques for the best picture quality. It was one of the few films he both wrote and directed. Close Encounters was very popular and won two Academy Awards.

His next film was 1941 (1979), an action-comedy about Californians preparing for a Japanese invasion. Spielberg had not directed a comedy before. The film earned over $92 million worldwide, but many critics did not like it.

1981–1992: An Established Filmmaker

Spielberg directed Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), an adventure film created by George Lucas. It starred Harrison Ford as the hero, Indiana Jones. The film was a big box-office hit and won five Academy Awards. Critics loved its imagination and fast pace. Raiders was the first movie in the Indiana Jones series.

Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with Spielberg at The White House

He returned to science fiction with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). This heartwarming story was about a young boy, Elliot, who befriends an alien. Spielberg filmed it in a special way to make the actors' performances feel very real. E.T. was a massive success, earning $700 million worldwide. It won four Academy Awards.

His next film was the Indiana Jones prequel, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). This film was darker than the first. It even led to the creation of the PG-13 rating because some scenes were intense for younger viewers. Spielberg later said he was not entirely happy with this film. However, it was a blockbuster hit and won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects. During this film, Spielberg met his future wife, Kate Capshaw.

Between 1984 and 1990, Spielberg produced many films for his company, Amblin Entertainment. These included Gremlins (1984), Back to the Future (1985), and Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). He also directed The Color Purple (1985), a drama about African-American women in the American South. This film was a box-office hit and received eleven Academy Award nominations.

Spielberg then directed Empire of the Sun (1987). It was the first American film shot in Shanghai since the 1930s. The story was about a young British boy who becomes a prisoner during World War II. Critics had mixed reactions, but some called it a "great work."

Spielberg, March 1990

In 1989, he directed Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Harrison Ford returned as Indiana Jones, and Sean Connery played his father. This film was more family-friendly than Temple of Doom. It was a big success, earning $474 million. Spielberg also directed the romantic drama Always (1989), which was not as successful.

In 1991, Spielberg directed Hook, a film about a grown-up Peter Pan played by Robin Williams. The film earned over $300 million worldwide.

1993–1998: Directing Powerful Dramas

Spielberg receiving the Golden Lion by Italian filmmaker Gillo Pontecorvo at the 50th Venice International Film Festival, 1993

In 1993, Spielberg directed Jurassic Park, based on Michael Crichton's popular book. The film was about a wildlife park filled with de-extinct dinosaurs. It used amazing computer-generated imagery and became the highest-grossing film of its time. It won three Academy Awards.

Also in 1993, Spielberg directed Schindler's List. This powerful film told the true story of Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saved over 1,000 Jewish people during the Holocaust. Spielberg waited ten years to make this film, feeling he needed to be mature enough. He brought his wife and children with him during filming in Poland. The film was a commercial success, and Spielberg used his earnings to start the Shoah Foundation. This organization collects stories from Holocaust survivors. Schindler's List won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Spielberg's first for Best Director. It is considered one of the best American films ever made.

In 1994, Spielberg took a break from directing to spend time with his family. He also 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 was also a high-grossing film of the year.

Spielberg speaking at the Pentagon on August 11, 1999, after receiving the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service

His next film was Amistad (1997), based on the true story of events on a slave ship in 1839. Spielberg was initially hesitant to direct it. The film starred Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. It struggled to find a large audience, and Spielberg admitted it became "too much of a history lesson."

Spielberg's 1998 film was the World War II epic Saving Private Ryan. It was about a group of US soldiers trying to bring home a paratrooper whose brothers were killed in the war. The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of war. It earned $481 million worldwide, and Spielberg won his second Academy Award for Best Director.

2001–2012: Exploring New Technologies and Stories

Spielberg returned to science fiction with A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001). This film was based on a story that director Stanley Kubrick had wanted to make. It was about an android boy who dreams of becoming a "real boy." The film won five Saturn Awards.

He followed A.I. with the sci-fi thriller Minority Report (2002), starring Tom Cruise. The film was praised for its amazing special effects and storytelling. It earned over $358 million worldwide. Also in 2002, he released Catch Me If You Can, based on the true story of a con artist. Leonardo DiCaprio played the main character. This film was a critical and commercial success.

Spielberg with director and friend George Lucas in 2006

In 2004, Spielberg directed The Terminal, a comedy starring Tom Hanks. It was inspired by a true story about a man stranded in an airport. In 2005, he directed War of the Worlds, based on the classic novel. This film, starring Tom Cruise, was a box-office hit, grossing over $600 million worldwide.

Spielberg's film Munich (2005) was about a secret mission by the Israeli government after a tragic event at the 1972 Olympics. The film received five Academy Award nominations.

Spielberg with Tom Hanks promoting The Pacific in Washington, D.C.

In 2008, Spielberg returned to the Indiana Jones series with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This film, released nineteen years after the last one, was a box-office success.

Starting in 2009, Spielberg began working on a trilogy of animated films based on The Adventures of Tintin comics. The first film, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, was released in 2011. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature. He also directed War Horse (2011), a drama about a boy and his horse during World War I.

Spielberg with Bill Clinton, 2009

In 2012, Spielberg directed the historical drama Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln. The film was highly praised and earned over $250 million worldwide. It was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, winning two.

2013–Present: Recent Works and Future Projects

Spielberg in 2017.

In 2015, Spielberg directed Bridge of Spies, a Cold War thriller starring Tom Hanks. The film was popular with critics and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mark Rylance.

In 2016, Spielberg made The BFG, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book. It starred Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant. The film received fair reviews.

A year later, Spielberg directed The Post (2017), about The Washington Post newspaper printing the Pentagon Papers. It starred Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. The film received positive reviews.

Spielberg collaborated with playwright Tony Kushner for West Side Story (2021) and The Fabelmans (2022)

Spielberg directed the science fiction film Ready Player One (2018), based on the popular novel. The story takes place in 2045, where many people use virtual reality to escape the real world. The film was praised for its action and visual effects.

In 2019, Spielberg filmed West Side Story, an adaptation of the classic musical. It was released in December 2021 to positive reviews and received seven Academy Award nominations. Spielberg said this would be the last musical he would direct.

Spielberg's 2022 film The Fabelmans is a fictionalized story inspired by his own childhood. It received widespread critical acclaim and won the People's Choice Award. It also received seven Academy Award nominations.

Spielberg at Berlinale at 2023

Spielberg was planned to direct Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but he stepped down. He remained a producer for the film, which was released in 2023. In February 2025, Spielberg began shooting his film, Disclosure Day, which is reportedly about UFOs. The film stars Emily Blunt and Colin Firth, and is scheduled for release in theaters on June 12, 2026. In February 2025, it was announced that The Goonies 2 was being developed with Spielberg producing. In November 2025, it was announced that Spielberg was serving as an executive producer for Gremlins 3, which is scheduled for release on November 19, 2027.

Other Creative Projects

Producing Films and Television

Spielberg has produced many films and TV shows through his companies, Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures. Some of these include Gremlins (1984), Back to the Future (1985), and Men in Black (1997). He also produced animated films like An American Tail (1986) and cartoons such as Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs.

In 1994, he found success producing the medical drama TV series ER. Spielberg also helped design the Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios Florida. He and Tom Hanks produced the acclaimed miniseries Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010), both about World War II. He also executive produced the Transformers film series. In January 2023, it was announced that Spielberg was executive producing a documentary about John Williams, the famous composer.

Video Games and Theatre

Spielberg has been a fan of video games since 1974. He helped create and design the adventure game The Dig (1995) and Steven Spielberg's Director's Chair (1996). He is also the creator of the Medal of Honor video game series. He collaborated with Electronic Arts on games like Boom Blox.

Spielberg also ventured into theatre producing. In 2022, he made his Broadway producing debut with the musical A Strange Loop. He has since produced other stage musicals.

Steven Spielberg's Filmmaking Style

Influences and Methods

Spielberg often says that director John Ford is a big influence on his work. He tries to watch a John Ford film before starting his own movies for inspiration. He also admires the work of Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean, and Stanley Kubrick. He considers Lawrence of Arabia the film he has seen the most times.

Spielberg often uses storyboards to plan his scenes. However, for films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, he avoided storyboards to allow for more spontaneous acting. He likes to shoot quickly and from many angles. This gives him many choices when editing the film. He often uses wide-angle lenses to create depth in his shots.

Spielberg chooses his film projects based on stories that deeply connect with him. He looks for themes that he is proud to add to his body of work. His films often feature "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances" who become heroes. A common theme in his family-friendly movies is a sense of wonder and the belief that goodness will win. He also explores the importance of childhood and the relationships between parents and children. His interest in alien life comes from his father, who was a science fiction fan.

Key Collaborators

Spielberg has collaborated on numerous projects with Tom Hanks since Saving Private Ryan

Michael Kahn has edited almost all of Spielberg's films since 1977. Spielberg also works often with production designer Rick Carter and writer David Koepp. Producer Kathleen Kennedy is another long-time collaborator. Spielberg often casts the same actors in his films, including Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Mark Rylance, Richard Dreyfuss, and Tom Cruise.

Tom Hanks has worked with Spielberg on many films and TV projects. Their first film together was Saving Private Ryan (1998). Hanks also starred in Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Lincoln (2012). They also executive produced the war miniseries Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

Janusz Kamiński has been the cinematographer for many of Spielberg's films. He won two Academy Awards for his work on Schindler's List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan. Kamiński's style often includes handheld camera work, especially in Spielberg's dramas.

Spielberg's long partnership with composer John Williams began with The Sugarland Express (1974). Williams has composed music for almost all of Spielberg's films. He won three of his five Academy Awards for his scores for Spielberg's films: Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Schindler's List.

Steven Spielberg's Personal Life

Spielberg met actress Amy Irving in 1976. They dated and later married in 1985. Their son, Max, was born that year. They later divorced.

Spielberg met actress Kate Capshaw when he cast her in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984. They married on October 12, 1991. Kate converted to Judaism before their marriage. Spielberg has said that her conversion helped him reconnect with his Jewish heritage. He and his family live in Pacific Palisades, California and East Hampton, New York.

He has five children with Kate Capshaw: Sasha Rebecca (born 1990), Sawyer Avery (born 1992), and Destry Allyn Spielberg (born 1996). He also has two adopted children: Theo (born 1988) and Mikaela George (born 1996). His stepdaughter is Jessica Capshaw (born 1976). He is the godfather to actresses Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Spielberg was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 60. In 2022, he recovered from COVID-19. In 2013, Spielberg bought a large yacht called The Seven Seas. He later ordered a new, even larger yacht.

Steven Spielberg's Public and Political Views

Spielberg has generally supported Democratic Party candidates. He has donated money to the Democratic party. He is a close friend of former president Bill Clinton. Spielberg endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

In 2001, Spielberg resigned from the national advisory board of the Boy Scouts of America. He disagreed with the organization's rules at the time. In 2007, the Arab League voted to boycott Spielberg's movies after he donated money for relief efforts in Israel during a conflict.

In February 2008, Spielberg resigned as an advisor to the 2008 Summer Olympics. He did this because he felt the Chinese government was not doing enough about a conflict in Darfur. Spielberg said his conscience would not allow him to continue business as usual.

In September 2008, Spielberg and his wife supported same-sex marriage in California. In 2018, they donated $500,000 to the March for Our Lives student demonstration, which supported stricter gun control in the United States.

Steven Spielberg's Filmography

Spielberg has directed 37 feature films and produced many other works since the 1960s.

Awards and Honors for Steven Spielberg

Spielberg receiving a public service award presented by US Secretary of Defense William Cohen, 1999

Spielberg has won three Academy Awards. He received nine nominations for Best Director and won twice for Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. His third Oscar was for Best Picture for Schindler's List. 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.

Spielberg helped the Boy Scouts of America create a merit badge in cinematography. This encouraged young people to learn about filmmaking. In 1989, he received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. Spielberg was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995.

In 1998, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This award recognized his film Schindler's List and his work with the Shoah Foundation. Spielberg was also given the Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1999 for Saving Private Ryan.

Spielberg's shoeprints and handprints in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Spielberg received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. In 2006, he was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inducted Spielberg in 2005. In 2009, he received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his contributions to entertainment.

In 2001, Queen Elizabeth II gave him an honorary knighthood for his services to the British film industry. He was also awarded France's highest civil honor, the Legion of Honour, in 2004. In October 2009, Spielberg received the Philadelphia Liberty Medal. On November 24, 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Spielberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

In June 2022, Spielberg won his first Tony Award for co-producing the Broadway musical A Strange Loop, which won Best Musical. In February 2026, Spielberg achieved EGOT status. This happened when he received the Grammy Award for Best Music Film for producing Music by John Williams.

Directed Academy Award Performances Under Spielberg's direction, these actors have received Academy Award nominations and wins for their performances in their respective roles.

Steven Spielberg's Legacy in Film

Spielberg's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Spielberg is seen as one of the most influential and successful film directors ever. Many of his films were among the highest-grossing movies of their time. Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park each became the highest-grossing film when they were released. In 1996, Life magazine called Spielberg the most influential person of his generation. Empire magazine ranked him as the number one greatest film director of all time in 2005. Time magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in 2013. As of December 2024, Forbes estimates his net worth at $5.3 billion, making him one of the richest people in entertainment.

Many famous directors admire Spielberg's work, including Martin Scorsese and Peter Jackson. Film critic Tom Shone said that Spielberg's work shows what film does best. Jess Cagle, a former editor, called Spielberg "arguably the greatest filmmaker in history."

Some critics have said that Spielberg's films can be too sentimental. Others have argued that his works sometimes lack depth. However, film critic Roger Ebert defended Spielberg, noting his efforts to honor and preserve the memories of Holocaust survivors through the Shoah Foundation.

Seven of Spielberg's films are preserved in the National Film Registry. These include Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan. They are recognized for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Steven Spielberg Quotes

• "I dream for a living."
• "Failure is inevitable. Success is elusive."
• "People have forgotten how to tell a story."
• "There is no such thing as science fiction, there is only science eventuality."

Images for kids

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  Waxwork of Spielberg at Madame Tussauds, London

See also

In Spanish: Steven Spielberg para niños