Steven Spielberg is one of the most renowned and celebrated filmmakers of all time. Born on December 18, 1946, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Spielberg grew up in a Jewish family in Arizona and later in California. From a young age, he had a passion for storytelling, and by his teenage years, he was already making short films with his friends.
Spielberg’s youth was marked by a series of personal struggles and setbacks. His parents’ divorce when he was a teenager had a profound impact on him, and he struggled with feelings of isolation and abandonment. Despite this, he found solace in his passion for filmmaking and continued to hone his craft throughout his teenage years.
Career Beginnings at Universal Studios
In 1965, Spielberg enrolled at California State University, Long Beach, but dropped out after just one semester to pursue a career in the film industry. He began his career as an unpaid intern at Universal Studios, where he worked on various projects and learned the ins and outs of the film business. It wasn’t long before his talent caught the attention of the studio executives, and he was given the opportunity to direct his first television episode, “Eyes,” for the show “Night Gallery.”
Directorial Debut with “Duel”
In 1971, Spielberg made his feature film debut with “Duel,” a made-for-television movie that would become a cult classic. The film tells the story of a man who is stalked by a mysterious truck driver while driving through the desert. “Duel” was a critical and commercial success and established Spielberg as a rising star in Hollywood.
The following year, Spielberg directed “Something Evil,” a made-for-television horror film that received mixed reviews from critics. However, his next film, “The Sugarland Express” (1974), marked a turning point in his career. The film, which starred Goldie Hawn, was a critical success and earned Spielberg a nomination for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Breakout Success with “Jaws”
But it was Spielberg’s next film, “Jaws” (1975), that would catapult him to international fame and establish him as one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation. “Jaws” tells the story of a man-eating shark that terrorizes a small New England beach town. The film was a massive commercial success, breaking box office records and becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release. It also earned Spielberg his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
Spielberg continued to make films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982). These films cemented his status as one of the greatest filmmakers of his time and helped to define the blockbuster era of Hollywood.
Throughout his youth and young adult years, Spielberg faced a number of personal and professional challenges. But his passion for filmmaking, his drive to succeed, and his talent and vision as a director allowed him to overcome these obstacles and become one of the most influential and beloved filmmakers of all time.
Here are some fascinating photos of young Steven Spielberg.
