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Steven Spielberg Facts

Steven Spielberg Facts
Steven Spielberg is an American film director, producer, and filmmaker, considered to be one of Hollywood's most influential directors of all time. He was born Steven Allan Spielberg, on December 18th, 1946, in Cincinnati Ohio, to Leah Posner, a concert pianist, and Arnold Spielberg, an electrical engineer. Steven was raised in the Orthodox Jewish faith and suffered from anti-Semitic bullying while growing up. By the age of 12 Steven had made his first home movie and he continued to make 8mm films while a teenager. By graduation from high school his long term goal was to become a film director.
Interesting Steven Spielberg Facts:
Steven Spielberg earned his photography merit badge as a Boy Scout for his short film The Last Gunfight.
Steven Spielberg attended California State University in Long Beach for film after being turned down by the University of Southern California for his 'C' average.
Steven was offered an unpaid editing department internship at Universal Studios while still a student.
Steven Spielberg made a short film titled Amblin and the studio vice president was so impressed by his work that he gave Steven a 7-year directing contract.
Steven Spielberg was the youngest person to sign with a major Hollywood studio for a long term directing deal at the time.
In 1969 Steven Spielberg was hired to direct an episode of Night Gallery - this became his first TV job. He was only 21 years old at the time.
In 1975 Steven Spielberg directed the cult classic film Jaws. The film grossed over $470 million at the box office and made him famous as a director.
In 1977 Steven Spielberg wrote and directed the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He received his first Oscar nomination for the film for Best Director.
In 1981 Steven Spielberg made the movie Raiders of the Lost Arc, starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.
Steven Spielberg directed the movie E.T. the Extraterrestrial in 1982. It became the highest grossing film of all time when it was released in theatres.
In 1993 Steven Spielberg released Jurassic Park, which became the first in a series of dinosaur movies. It became a highly successful franchise.
In 1993 Steven Spielberg released Schindler's List, a drama about the Holocaust.
Steven Spielberg released Saving Private Ryan in 1998 and it became a huge hit.
Steven Spielberg won two Oscars for Best Director for the films Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan.
In 2005 Steven Spielberg released War of the Worlds. It became a box office success grossing more than $591 million.
Steven founded the company Amblin Entertainment in 1981, and Dreamworks SKG in 1994.
In 2015 President Barack Obama awarded Steven Spielberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Steven Spielberg was married to Amy Irving from 1985 to 1989. They have a son Max together.
Steven Spielberg married Kate Capshaw in 1991. They have 5 children together, two of which are adopted.
Steven Spielberg has been awarded numerous honors and awards for his career as a filmmaker, including Academy Awards, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and many others.


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