When we think about legendary directors, only a few come to mind. Yet if we think of directors who are still alive today and in their fullest form, the list is significantly reduced. One director that will certainly make this list is the one and only: Steven Spielberg.
The director, who is lucky enough to be deemed as a modern great of the industry, has an array of classic films under his belt. When he isn't directing, he writes. When he isn't writing, he produces. When he isn't doing that, he's doing all three. Spielberg is the man responsable for bringing the likes of 'Indiana Jones' to the big screens, as well as directing famous films such as 'Schlindler's List' and 'Jurassic Park' to name but a few.
Despite his age, the director has not stopped doing what he loves, and his works as a director and producer continue to be released on the big screen. We hope he continues to bring out more and more classics for us to enjoy, so as a way of saying thank you we pay tribute to Steven Spielberg with a few interesting facts about his life and his works.
1 Rosebud
Steven Spielberg is an avid collector of props that have appeared in films. As Citizen Kane is such an important part in cinema history, the director wasn't going to settle for not having a souvenir. Spielberg purchased the only remaining Rosebud sleigh used in Orson Welles film. The director paid $60,500 for the sleigh.
2 "Uncle Morty"
There is no doubt that Steven Spielberg has many connections, both in the industry and as friends. It also seems he has famous family members too. For example, he is the godfather to the two actresses Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow. In fact, Paltrow and Spielberg are so tight that she calls him "Uncle Morty".
3 Passion for Bond
Spielberg doesn't hide the fact that one of his ambitions is to direct a Bond film. But to this day, this ambition is still yet to happen. The producer Albert R. Broccoli was the man to deny the director of his dream job not once but twice. The first time he told him he lacked experience. The second, after Spielberg's success with 'Schindler's List' the producer denied him the opportunity again as he couldn't afford his mammoth salary.
4 "Bloody money"
Without a doubt, one of Spielberg's greatest films is 'Schindler's List'. The director has said many times before that it is one of his most personal pieces of work. It is so personal that he didn't accept any of his salary for the film because he considers it to be "blood money". Instead, he donated all of his earnings for the film to The Shoah Foundation.
5 Pick and choose
Films directors are always in high demand, and often find themselves having to turn down many projects throughout their careers. For Spielberg this has been a common occurrence, and he obviously doesn't have the time to direct all the films he has been linked with. For example, for whatever reasons, the director has had to decline the offer to direct films such as 'Cape Fear', 'The Mask of Zorro' and 'Rain Man'.
6 Faithful Democrat
It's evident that Spielberg is one of the richest people in Hollywood, but this doesn't mean he splashes his money on pointless things, he invests in things important and close to him that he thinks will be beneficial.The director is loyal to the Democrat Party and he often donates large sums of money to help support the party's political campaigns.
7 Oscar collector
The legendary director does not only have a large collection of film props, but he also has been in possession of several Oscar statues, that weren't actually his. He purchased the Oscar awards that Clark Gable and Bette Davis both won and he donated them back to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a generous effort to preserve the history of film.
8 Eagle Scout
Steven Spielberg is many things, but not many people would know that he is an Eagle Scout. In fact, he was so committed to the cause that he was on the advisory board for the Boy Scouts of America. However, despite being a Scout for a fair few years, he ended up quitting due to the way the organisation discriminated against homosexuals.
9 Decorated
Throughout his life, Spielberg has received a number of awards, but has also been given some more decorated awards that only a few are lucky to be given. For example, the director was given an honorary British knighthood for his contribution to the industry. Furthermore, he has been awarded the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his representation of the history of the country in 'Schindler's List'.