Warren Beatty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Warren Beatty
Beatty in 2001
Born	Henry Warren Beaty (1937-03-30) March 30, 1937 (age 88) Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Alma mater	Northwestern University
Occupation	Actor filmmaker
Years active	1956–present
Known for	Full list
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Annette Bening ​ (m. 1992)​
Children	4, including Ella
Relatives	Shirley MacLaine (sister) Sachi Parker (niece)
Awards	Full list
Signature

Henry Warren Beatty (born March 30, 1937) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has worked in movies for over sixty years.

Beatty has won many important awards. These include an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards. He also received special honors like the Irving G. Thalberg Award in 1999, the BAFTA Fellowship in 2002, and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2008.

He was nominated for 14 Academy Awards. These nominations included Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. He won Best Director for his movie Reds (1981). He was also nominated for acting in famous films like Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Heaven Can Wait (1978), Reds (1981), and Bugsy (1991).

Beatty started acting in the drama Splendor in the Grass (1961). He also acted in films like McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) and Shampoo (1975). He directed and starred in movies such as Dick Tracy (1990) and Bulworth (1998). His most recent film was Rules Don't Apply (2016).

On stage, Beatty performed on Broadway in A Loss of Roses (1960). He was nominated for a Tony Award for this role.

Early Life and Education

Henry Warren Beaty was born on March 30, 1937, in Richmond, Virginia. His mother, Kathlyn Corinne, was a teacher. His father, Ira Owens Beaty, was also a teacher and school administrator. Warren's grandparents were teachers too. His family was Baptist.

During his childhood, his family moved several times in Virginia. His older sister is the famous actress, dancer, and writer Shirley MacLaine.

Beatty became interested in movies when he was young. He often went to theaters with his sister. He especially liked The Philadelphia Story (1940) and Love Affair (1939). He even remade Love Affair in 1994, starring with his wife Annette Bening and Katharine Hepburn.

His sister, Shirley MacLaine, said that Warren likes to have control over his films. This is why he often writes, produces, directs, and stars in them. Beatty agreed, saying he always wanted to be involved in all parts of filmmaking.

Beatty played football in high school. He was offered college football scholarships but chose to study liberal arts at Northwestern University (1954–55). After his first year, he moved to New York City to study acting. He worked many different jobs to support himself during this time.

Career Highlights

1957–1969: Starting Out and Becoming Famous

Beatty began his career on TV shows like Studio One (1957). He also appeared on Broadway in A Loss of Roses (1960), which earned him a Tony Award nomination.

His first movie was Splendor in the Grass (1961), where he starred with Natalie Wood. The film was very successful. Beatty was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won the award for New Star of the Year.

Beatty in 1961

In 1967, at age 29, Beatty produced and starred in Bonnie and Clyde. He helped choose the cast, including Faye Dunaway and Gene Hackman. The movie became a huge success and was nominated for ten Academy Awards. Beatty's share of the film's profits earned him a lot of money.

1970s: More Stardom and Producing

After Bonnie and Clyde, Beatty acted in films like McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971).

In 1972, Beatty helped organize concerts to raise money for George McGovern's presidential campaign. He convinced famous singers like Barbra Streisand and James Taylor to perform. These events helped create a new way for celebrities to support political causes.

Beatty continued to take more control over his films. He produced, co-wrote, and acted in Shampoo (1975). This movie was nominated for four Academy Awards.

1978–1999: Directing and Expanding His Roles

In 1978, Beatty directed, produced, wrote, and acted in Heaven Can Wait. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won three Golden Globe Awards.

His next big film was Reds (1981). This historical movie was about an American journalist who saw the Russian Revolution. It was a big success and received 12 Academy Award nominations. Beatty won the Academy Award for Best Director for Reds. He also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Director.

Beatty at the 62nd Academy Awards (1990)

In 1990, Beatty produced, directed, and starred as the detective Dick Tracy in the movie Dick Tracy. The film was very popular and won three Academy Awards.

In 1991, he produced and starred as the real-life gangster Bugsy Siegel in the film Bugsy. This movie was highly praised and nominated for ten Academy Awards. It won for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

In 1998, Beatty wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the political comedy Bulworth. The film was well-received and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

2000–Present: Later Work

After 2001, Beatty did not appear in or direct a film for 15 years.

In 2010, Beatty directed and played Dick Tracy again in a TV special called Dick Tracy Special. This special helped him keep the rights to the character. He has said he wants to make a Dick Tracy sequel. In 2023, he appeared as Dick Tracy again in Dick Tracy Special: Tracy Zooms In.

Beatty had been planning a film about Howard Hughes for many years. This project eventually became Rules Don't Apply, released in 2016. Beatty wrote, co-produced, directed, and starred in this romantic comedy. It was his first film in 15 years.

In 2017, Beatty and his Bonnie and Clyde co-star Faye Dunaway presented the Best Picture Award at the 89th Academy Awards. They were given the wrong envelope, which led to a famous mistake where they announced the wrong winner. They returned to present the award again in 2018 and joked about the mix-up.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Beatty in 1981, with Diane Keaton and First Lady Nancy Reagan at a White House screening of Reds

Warren Beatty married actress Annette Bening in 1992. They have four children, including actress Ella Beatty. Before his marriage, Beatty had many relationships that were often talked about in the media.

Activism and Views

Beatty has been involved in many important organizations. He was a founding board member of the Center for National Policy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He also served on the Board of Trustees at the Scripps Research Institute.

He is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. In 1972, he played a key role in George McGovern's presidential campaign, organizing fundraising concerts with many celebrities. He was also friends with Republican Senator John McCain and was a pallbearer at McCain's funeral in 2018.

Filmography

Film Roles

Acting Roles

Television Work

Acting Roles

Theatre

Awards and Nominations

Beatty at the 47th Venice International Film Festival in 1990

See also

In Spanish: Warren Beatty para niños