Most often than not, we tend to celebrate actors and actresses for the wonderful and remarkable performances they put up in their respective roles in movies and TV series without paying the same respect to filmmakers who worked behind the scenes to make such projects a reality. Undoubtedly, Steven Spielberg is one great filmmaker who, through hard work, became famous and wealthy, so much that he is considered an idol in the world of filmmaking. Why is Steven Spielberg so famous one may ask?
In his career as a filmmaker, director, and producer, Steven Spielberg produced some of the biggest hits of the late 20th Century and early 21st Century in Hollywood that recorded high ratings, grossing so much at the box office. Most of his movies have landed him numerous awards. Steven is considered one of the founding pioneers of the new Hollywood era. There is more below.
Who is Steven Spielberg?
Steven Spielberg, the legendary multi-award-winning filmmaker is one of the most popular directors and producers in American film history. He was born Steven Allen Spielberg in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States of America on December 18, 1946. His parents were a restaurateur and pianist mother, Leah, and an electrical engineer father, Arnold Spielberg. He grew up as an Orthodox Jew, one major reason he suffered from Semitic prejudices and bullying from his fellow kids.
Owing to his father’s job with RCA in 1950, his entire family moved back and forth to Haddon Township, New Jersey, then to Phoenix, Arizona, where Steven spent three years at Arcadia High School before the family relocated to Saratoga, California. In California, Steven Spielberg concluded his high school education in 1965 at Saratoga High School. He is an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach and Brookdale Community College where he had his undergraduate education.
As a student, Steven Spielberg got a small unpaid intern job at Universal Studios with editing department where he had the opportunity to make a 26-minute, 35 mm, Amblin’ short film for theatrical release. The success of the short video generated a number of awards and the studio vice president who was highly impressed offered Steven a seven-year directing contract which ultimately made him the youngest director ever to be signed for a long-term deal with a major Hollywood studio.
He was forced to drop out of college to begin professionally directing TV productions with Universal Studio but later returned to the California State University, Long Beach, to complete his BA degree in Film and Electronic Arts in 2002.
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Why Is Steven Spielberg Famous?
Why is Steven Spielberg so famous? This one question can be clearly answered by looking at the numerous blockbuster movies he has made in sixty years. These movies, in turn, have garnered many notable award nominations, hundreds of which he has won. The star began plying his craft at age 12 with his first movie which was about a train wreck, involving his toy at the time, Lionel trains. In 1958, he won the photograph merit badge for his nine-minute 8mm film, titled The Last Gunfight followed by Escape to Nowhere. From thereon, his imaginative creativity as a director, producer, and even a screenplay writer knew no bounds as it poured in accolades into his life.
He is one of the highest-grossing box office directors, making a whopping estimated sum of $10.5 billion. No wonder he has carried home notable awards like Academy, BAFTA, Golden Globe, both Primetime and Daytime Emmy, Critics Choice, Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, among many others since the 1980s till date.
Some of his best movies are Night Gallery (1969), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Hook (1991), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Saving Private Ryan (1998), A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Catch Me If You Can (2002), War of the Worlds (2005), Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), The Adventures of Tintin (2011), Lincoln (2012), Bridge of Spies (2015), and so many unreleased projects which include West Side Story.
His works, both onscreen and behind, generate an annual income estimated at $150 million which has left the 5 feet 8 inches tall movie mogul with a huge net worth of $3.6 billion. His artistry par excellence has earned him other honorary awards such as the presidential medal of freedom in 2015, Doctor of Arts from the prestigious Harvard University in 2016, a star on Hollywood walk of fame and other numerous recognitions.
Has Steven Spielberg Won Any Oscars?
The answer to the question is a resounding Yes! Steven Spielberg has won five Oscar Awards. He has been nominated more than seventeen times for the coveted elite award. His blockbuster works on Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan won him three competitive Oscars while he was honored with two more (Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award).
