Without a doubt one of the most influential film personalities in the history of film, Steven Spielberg is perhaps Hollywood's best known director and one of the wealthiest filmmakers in the world. Spielberg has countless big grossing critically acclaimed credits to his name, both as producer, director and writer. Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1946. He went to Long Beach University, but dropped out to pursue his entertainment career. He gained notoriety as an uncredited assistant editor on the classic western Wagon Train. Among his early directing efforts were Battle Squad (1961), which combined World War Two Footage with footage of an airplane that is on the ground he makes you believe is moving. He also directed Escape to Nowhere, which featured kids as World War Two soldiers, including his sister Anne Spielberg. (1961) And Last Gun, The (1959), a western. All of these were short films. The next couple of years Spielberg directed a couple of movies that would be foretelling to his future career in movies. In 1964 he directed Firelight a movie about aliens invading a small town. In 1967 he directed the movie Slipstream which was unfinished. But in 1968 he directed the movie Amblin, which featured the desert prominently, and not the first Spielberg movie the desert would be so prominent in. Amblin would also become the production company he would produce many films with, including the classic E.T. Spielberg had a unique and classic early directing project, Duel (1971/I) (TV), with Dennis Weaver. The film is considered a unique classic that still baffles some. In the early 1970s Spielberg was working on TV, in Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" (1970), "Marcus Welby, M.D." (1969) and Columbo, to name a few. All of his work in television and short films, as well as his directing projects were just the beginning of the gathering storm of talent that would become the Spielberg that made the brilliant films he would later become known for internationally. As an undoubted rising star, his major directorial effort was the Sugarland Express, The (1974), with Goldie Hawn. It was his next directorial effort that made Spielberg an international superstar among directors: Jaws (1975). This classic shark attack tale started the tradition of the summer blockbuster, or at least he was credited with starting the tradition.

His next effort was the classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), a unique and very original UFO story that remains a cult classic. In 1978 Spielberg produced his first film, the forgettable I Wanna Hold Your Hand (197, and followed his first effort with Used Cars (1980), a critically acclaimed, but mostly forgotten Kurt RussellJack Warden comedy.

Spielberg hit gold again directing Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), with Harrison Ford taking the part of Indiana Jones. Spielberg produced and directed two films in 1982. The first one was Poltergeist (1982), but the highest grossing movie of all time up to that point was the alien story, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Spielberg also made money a major part of the film industry, or at least a bigger part of the industry than it was before. He was the first producer to use product placement in his films, with the infamous placement of Rieces Pieces in 'E.T.'. Spielberg was also one of the pioneers of the big grossing special effects movies, like E.T., and 'Close Encounters', where a very strong emphasis on special effects was placed for the first time on such a large scale. In 1984 Spielberg followed up 'Raiders' with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), which was a commercial success but critically did not live up to its predecessor.

As a producer Spielberg took on many projects in the 1980s, such as the silly Goonies, and was the brains behind the little monsters in Gremlins (1984). Spielberg also produced the cartoon _American Tail, An (1986)_ (qv), a quaint little animated classic. But his biggest effort as producer in 1985 was the blockbuster Back to the Future (1985), which made 'Michael J. Fox' an instant superstar. As director, Spielberg took on the book Color Purple, The (1985), with Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, with great success. In the latter half of the 1980s he also directed Empire of the Sun (1987), which was a mixed success for the occasionally erratic Spielberg. But success would not escape him for long. The late eighties found Spielberg's projects at the center of pop culture, yet again. In 1988 he produced the landmark animationlive action film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (198. But 1989 proved to be another big year for Spielberg, as he produced and directed Always (1989), as well as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Back to the Future Part II (1989). All three of the movies were box office and critical successes.

Also in 1989 Steven Spielberg produced the little known comedy drama Dad, with Jack Lemmon and Ted Danson, which gave mostly mixed results. Spielberg has also had an affinity for animation and has been a strong voice in animation in the nineties.Aside from producing the landmark Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Steven Spielberg produced the TV show Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Freakazoid, Pinky Elmira and The Brain,Family Dog, and Toonsylvania. Spielberg also produced other cartoons such as the Land Before Time, We're back, a Dinosaur Story, Balto, Casper (the live action version) as well as the live action version of the Flintstones, where Steven Spielberg was credited as Steven Spielrock.Spielberg also produced many Roger Rabbit seperate cartoons, and many Pinky and the Brain, Animaniacs and Tiny Toons specials.

Spielberg was very active in the early nineties, as he directed _Hook (1991)_ , and produced such films as the cute fantasy Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) and _American Tail: Fivel Goes West, An (1991)_ . He also produced the unusual comedy thriller Arachnophobia (1990), Back to the Future Part III (1990), and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990). While the movies were big successes in their own right, they did not quite bring in the box office or appeal as previous efforts.

In 1993 Spielberg directed Jurassic Park (1993) which would go on to be the highest grossing movie of all time, for a short time. While the movie was a top grosser at the box office, the movie did not have the universal appeal of his previous efforts. But big box office spectacles were not his only line of business. He produced and directed _Schindler's List (1993)_ (qv_, a stirring film about the Holocaust. He won best director at the Oscars, and also got best picture.

In the mid-nineties Spielberg founded the production company Dreamworks, responsible for many box office successes in the nineties and the new century. Spielberg as a producer was very active in the late nineties spearheading such films as Mask of Zorro, The (199, Men in Black (1997), and Deep Impact (199. But on the directing front Spielberg was in top form in the late nineties. Spielberg directed and produced the epic, Amistad (1997), a spectacular film that was shorted at the Oscars and in release due to the fact that its release date was moved around so much in late 1997.

But 1998 found one of Spielberg's best films in years come to the theaters: Saving Private Ryan (199. This movie was an almost perfect film about World War Two that is spectacular in almost every respect. The movie was stiffed at the Oscars, losing best picture to 'Shakespeare in Love'. In the nineties Spielberg produced a series of films, including Evolution (2001), Haunting, The (1999), and Shrek (2001). Spielberg also produced two sequels to Jurassic Park, which met with big box office but an increasingly critical crowd of movie-goers. In 2001 he produced the mini-series about World War Two entitled "Band of Brothers" (2001) (mini). Also in that year, Spielberg was back in the director’s chair for Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001), a movie with a message and a huge budget. The movie did reasonably at the box office and received mixed signals from critics.

As of right now Steven Spielberg is teaming up with Tom Cruise for the expected box office hit Minority Report (2002). While the movie is showing off good special effects and a stellar pairing of two titans of the silver screen the critics have not all been too friendly. Perhaps this is a further sign that Spielberg's days of big box office are on the decline. As well as producing Men in Black II (2002), Spielberg's next two projects are producing and directing Catch Me If You Can (2002), with Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio, and _Indiana Jones 4 (2005)_ . While Spielberg has proven a brilliant filmmaker in the past his latest efforts have been mixed, but only the future will tell how he is looked upon as a presence in film.

And while Spielberg has been extremely active in films there are many other things he has done as well. Spielberg produced the short lived TV series Seaquest DSV, an anthology series entitled Amazing Stories, created the video game series Medal of Honor set during World War Two, and was a starting producer of E.R. Spielberg if you haven't noticed has a great interest in World War Two. Recently he produced the mini series Band of Brothers, which was based on true events of a rifle company that parachuted into France. Him and Tom Hanks collaborated on The Shooting War, about World War Two combat footage, and produced a documentary about the Holocaust called A Holocaust szemei. With all if this to Spielberg's credit it is no wonder that he is looked at as one of the greatest ever figures in entertainment. Spielberg is a great filmmaker without a doubt, and it does not seem he is anywhere near done making films, and with all of the money he has he probably could do anything he wanted to. And recently Spielberg graduated from Long Beach State University with a degree in filmmaking. His possibilities are still limitless.

Trademarks: powerful flashlights in dark scenes. And he frequently uses music by John Williams. Often shows shooting stars. Often portrays the father as reluctant, absent or irresponsible. He often uses images of the sun. Consistent references to WWII, frequent references to Disney movies, music and even theme parks. Often uses piano as an element in key scenes. Important images, or characters, are often showed through the rear-view mirror of a car.



And here's some trivia: Member of Theta Chi Fraternity, Zeta Epsilon chapter - Long Beach State University. Class of 1969.

Is a supporter of the Democratic party.

Is one of the two richest individuals in Hollywood.

He and his close friend George Lucas each have personal fortunes in excess of 2 billion dollars $US.

Received the "Bundesverdienstkreuz mit Stern" (the highest civil distinction the Federal Republic of Germany has to give away) for his sensible representation of Germany's history in his movie Schindler's List (1993). [199

Jonathan Norman was sentenced to 25 years to life, for stalking Spielberg and threatening to rape him. [June 199

Chosen by Entertainment Weekly as the most powerful person in entertainment in 1997. [31 October 1997]

Involved in road accident and treated for an injured shoulder. [23 September 1997]

American Film Institute Life Achievement Award [1995]

Children, with Kapshaw, Theo Spielberg (b. 1988, adopted), Sasha Spielberg (b. 1990), Sawyer Spielberg (b. 1992), Mikaela Spielberg (b. 1996, adopted) and Destry Spielberg (b. 1996). Is stepfather of actress Jessica Capshaw (b. 1976).

Son, with Irving, Max Spielberg (b. 1985)

He claims Richard Dreyfuss is his alter-ego.

Attended California State University, Long Beach after being turned down by USC.

Graduated from Arcadia High School in Phoenix.

Applied to USC Cinema School twice and was turned down both times.

Steven donated $100,000 to the democratic party. [1996]

Awarded second annual John Huston Award for Artists Rights by the Artists Rights Foundation. [1995]

Co-founder (with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen) of DreamWorks SKG.

He has one of the original Rosebud sleds from Citizen Kane (1941) in his house.

Godfather of Drew Barrymore.

Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Spielberg was named Best Director of the 20th Century in an Entertainment Weekly on-line poll, substantially beating out runners-up Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick. [September 1999]

Son of Arnold Spielberg.

Received the Distinguished Public Service Award, the U. S. Navy's highest civilian honor, on Veterans Day 1999 for his work on the movie Saving Private Ryan (199.

Sits on USC School of Cinema-Television's Board of Councilors.

When he was a child, he sneaked onto the lot of Universal Studios during a tour and befriended an editor who showed him a few things about filmmaking.

Gwyneth Paltrow calls him Uncle Morty.

During filming of their episode of "Night Gallery" (1970), Spielberg gifted Joan Crawford with a single red rose in a Pepsi bottle. During an on-set conversation with Detroit Free Press reporter Shirley Eder, Crawford' pointed out Spielberg and said, "Go interview that kid, because he's going to be the biggest director of all time!" They remained good friends up until her death in 1977.

Awarded the honour of Knight of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in New Years Honours 2001 by the Queen for his contribution to the British film industry. As a non-Commonwealth citizen he will not be able to use the title. [December 2000]

States that the work of David Lean has had a profound effect on his career.

Spent five months developing the script Rain Man (198 with Ron Bass, but had to commit to his handshake deal to direct Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Spielberg gave all of his notes to Barry Levinson.

Almost directed Big (198 with Harrison Ford starring, but didn't want to steal the thunder of his sister, Anne Spielberg, who co-wrote the script.

Is credited for starting the summer blockbuster tradition with 1975's first $100 million megahit, Jaws (1975).

Personally offered the American Beauty (1999) script to Sam Mendes, who ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Director on the film, which was Mendes' debut feature.

Has used editor Michael Kahn on all but one of his films.

Flew Will Smith to his Hamptons home via helicopter to offer him the part in Men in Black (1997).

Often casts new actors based on their performances in other works. Rarely does auditions for major roles.

Was asked to approve use of the theme music from Jaws (1975) for Swingers (1996); when he saw a cut of the film, he saw Vince Vaughn, whom he chose to play Nick Van Owen in Lost World: Jurassic Park, The (1997).

He is an Eagle Scout and was on an advisory board for the Boy Scouts of America. He left this position because he did not agree with the fact that the Boy Scouts of America discriminated against homosexuals.

Was directing a childbirth scene when he received a call that Amy Irving was giving birth to their son Max.

In the 2001 issue of Forbes' "400 Richest People In America", it is reported that Spielberg's fortune is $2.1 billion.

Born at 6:16 PM EST

Purchased Bette Davis's Oscar for the movie, Jezebel then donated it to the Academy

Was irked when footage from his movie Duel (1971) was used as stock footage in an episode of "The Incredible Hulk" (197. But since Universal Studios owned the rights to both the Hulk series and Duel film, taking legal action was not possible. However, he subsequently updated his contracts to include a clause that would protect his future material from being used as stock footage.

On May 31, 2002 graduated from California State University Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in film and electronic arts. He dropped out of college in 1968 to concentrate on his career, but finished his degree via independent projects. He donned cap and gown and marched in the commencement ceremony with his fellow graduates.

Receives honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Yale University, 27 May 2002.

When Spielberg recieved his undergraduate degree (about 35 years after he had first entered college) the orcestra played the theme from the "Indiana Jones" series of films as he walked up to and across the stage.

Always utlizes friend George Lucas's special effects group Industrial Light and Magic for his visual effects.

Owns the rights to the Stephen King novel, the Talisman. As of 2002, the book has not been made into a film.

Father served in World War II in South East Asian Front

Michael Kahn, ACE has edited all of Spielberg's theatrical features since "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", their first collaboration.

In the 2002 edition of Forbes' "400 Richest People In America", his fortune is estimated at $2.2 billion, a $100 million improvement over the 2001 estimate.

Ranked #1 in Premiere's 2003 annual Hollywood Power List. It is the third time he received the top ranking (the others being in 1994 & 1995). He had ranked #6 in 2002.

In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the humans and aliens use music and computers to communicate. Spielberg's father was a computer scientist, and his mother was a musician. This fact was only recently pointed out to him on Inside the Actor's Studio by host James Lipton - he was unsurprisingly delighted when he realized the connection.

Is set to produce a mini-series for HBO that will set out to debunk the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The mini-series, written by David Leland, will focus on the historical reality of life in 500 A.D., when Arthur was thought to be king, and will have no round table, Merlin, Lancelot, Excalibur or knights. Camelot itself will be shown to have been a simple Roman fort, and Arthur (named Artos in the film) will be portrayed as a humble blacksmith whose forging skills win him the English throne. It is expected to air sometime in 2004. [2003]

The first film he directed that was not scored by John Williams was "Twilight Zone - The Movie", which was scored by Jerry Goldsmith.



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