When one thinks of the greatest filmmaker of all time, Steven Spielberg immediately comes to mind. Since his breakthrough movie, Jaws, in 1975, Spielberg has gone on to be one of the most influential directors and storytellers in history. His films have won numerous awards, captivated audiences worldwide, and made billions of dollars at the box office. In this article, we will explore Spielberg’s life, career, films, and legacy.
Early Life
Steven Spielberg was born on December 18, 1946, in Cincinnati, Ohio. At a young age, Spielberg realized his passion for films when his father, Arnold, gave him an 8mm film camera. His parents divorced when Spielberg was a teenager, so he and his sisters, Nancy and Anne, moved with their mother, Leah, to Phoenix, Arizona. While there, Spielberg shot several short films starring his three sisters and cast his neighborhood friends as actors.
Education
Spielberg was accepted to study at California State University, Long Beach and then transferred to the University of Southern California in 1968, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Television. During his time at USC, Spielberg produced two of his earliest works: the short film Amblin’ and a 26-minute comedy entitled The Last Gunfight.
Career
Spielberg’s big break came in 1974 when he was hired to direct a low budget horror film entitled Jaws. The film went on to become one of the biggest box office successes of all time and made Spielberg into a household name. Following Jaws, Spielberg directed a variety of films, often in the science-fiction and adventure genres, such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Jurassic Park (1993) and Schindler’s List (1993).
Critical Reception
Spielberg has been critically acclaimed throughout his career. Several of his films have made the AFI Top 100 Movies of all time list, such as Jaws (number 8), Schindler’s List (number 12), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (number 32), Saving Private Ryan (number 33), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (number 86). He also won numerous awards for his work, including three Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan, as well as multiple Golden Globes and Directors Guild of America Awards.
Philanthropy
Spielberg is also highly regarded for his philanthropic activity. He founded the Righteous Persons Foundation (RPF), which provides grants to build and sustain a vibrant, diverse Jewish community in the United States. The foundation also supports a variety of Jewish causes, including education, research and advocacy. In addition, Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw founded the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation which records and preserves the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, preserving their stories for generations.
Legacy
Without a doubt, Steven Spielberg has made an indelible impression in the world of film. With his Oscar wins, box office records, innovative visual effects and storytelling, Spielberg has become one of the most influential filmmakers in history. He continues to captivate audiences with his work to this day, such as his most recent projects, Ready Player One and his 2019 remake of West Side Story.
From his early childhood viewing of 8mm films to becoming one of the most successful and influential filmmakers of all time, Spielberg has earned his place alongside the greatest filmmakers that have ever lived. His films have been revered for their timeless storytelling and captivated audiences for decades. Steven Spielberg is a living legend and there is no doubt he will continue to be for years to come.