DIRECTOR · BORN 1940
Brian De Palma
- Born
- 11 September 1940, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Known for
- The Black Dahlia (2006), Ennio (2022), Spielberg (2017), De Palma (2016)
50 archived facts 6 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
18 Interesting Facts About Brian De Palma
- #001
Brian De Palma received a special thanks credit on Martin Scorsese's 1973 film Mean Streets, an important connection in cinema history. De Palma introduced Scorsese and Robert De Niro to each other, bringing the iconic pair together for the first time. That introduction marked the beginning of a long and productive collaboration in the film world. The gesture shows De Palma as a figure who built bridges within the film community, not merely a director.
- #005
In the 1970s, Brian De Palma made an uncredited contribution to his close friend George Lucas's Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). When Lucas decided at the last moment to add the opening text crawl, De Palma helped write the text anonymously. This opening crawl played a critical role in conveying the film's complex space-opera story to the audience. De Palma's support shows that he did not focus only on his own projects but also contributed to his friends' productions.
- #009
Brian De Palma was originally set to direct Taxi Driver (1976). The project changed hands, however, and the film became one of the unforgettable works of cinema history under Martin Scorsese's direction. De Palma's most important contribution in this process was introducing Scorsese to screenwriter Paul Schrader. That introduction played a critical role in the emergence of the film's screenplay. De Palma's gesture shows his connections within the film community and his openness to collaboration.
- #010
Brian De Palma is a great fan of Bruce Springsteen, and this admiration led him to collaborate with the musician. De Palma directed the music video for Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark'. The video successfully reflected Springsteen's stage energy and his interaction with his fans. This collaboration also demonstrated De Palma's visual storytelling ability outside cinema and became a work that left its mark on the music world.
- #014
Brian De Palma has formed a close friendship with Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino cites De Palma as one of the directors who had a great influence on him. This friendship reveals a bond of respect and admiration between two generations of directors. De Palma's cinematic language of suspense and violence is clearly felt in Tarantino's films. This relationship shows how wide De Palma's influence in the film world is.
- #017
Brian De Palma has stated that he was in a friendly rivalry with director Martin Scorsese. From the 1970s onward, the two directors watched each other and drew inspiration from each other as leading figures in Hollywood. This rivalry contributed to the development of their cinematic visions. This dynamic between De Palma and Scorsese is one of the most interesting friendships in cinema history.
- #018
Brian De Palma was among the names considered to direct The Truman Show (1998). The project was ultimately entrusted to Peter Weir. De Palma's association with this project is consistent with his interest in themes of media and surveillance. The Truman Show, a production that questions the boundaries between reality and fiction, overlaps with De Palma's cinematic interests.
- #021
Brian De Palma formed close friendships with some of Hollywood's most famous directors. His friendships with Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas and Martin Scorsese show that he stood at the center of the film world. These friendships were not only personal relationships but also laid the groundwork for creative collaborations. Alongside these names, De Palma became an important part of the New Hollywood movement of the 1970s.
- #022
Although Brian De Palma helped several times with the making of George Lucas's Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), he was skeptical of the result at the film's first screening. Even though De Palma wrote the film's opening crawl, he took a critical stance, saying, "What's this Force nonsense?" This episode is recounted in the book Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003). De Palma's reaction shows that he could remain critical even of his era's biggest box-office success.
- #028
Brian De Palma turned down the offer to direct Flashdance (1983) and chose to make Scarface (1983) instead. Flashdance was later directed by Adrian Lyne and became a major box-office success. This decision shows that De Palma prioritized his artistic vision over commercial concerns. Scarface eventually became a cult classic and one of De Palma's best-known productions.
- #030
Brian De Palma had the chance to see Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece Vertigo (1958) at Radio City Music Hall in New York the year it was first released. This experience left a deep impact on his film career. Vertigo's narrative, full of obsession, identity and visual trickery, foreshadowed the themes De Palma would frequently explore in his own films. This early experience played an important role in shaping De Palma's cinematic tastes.
- #033
Brian De Palma has not shot a film in the United States since Mission to Mars (2000). His last five feature films were shot in countries including France, Bulgaria, Jordan, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands. This international production process shows that De Palma moved away from the Hollywood studio system toward an independent, European-centered approach to cinema. This change reflects his desire to preserve his artistic freedom.
- #042
Brian De Palma considers John Lithgow the easiest actor he has ever worked with. Lithgow gave an unforgettable performance in De Palma's Blow Out (1981). De Palma's remark shows his admiration for Lithgow's professionalism and talent, and their collaboration stands as an example of two artists working in harmony.
- #044
Brian De Palma directed two major films based on stories about Al Capone: Scarface (1983) and The Untouchables (1987). Scarface was an updated remake of the 1932 film of the same name, moving the story from 1920s Chicago to 1980s Miami. The Untouchables was based on Eliot Ness's memoirs and told the story of the special agents who brought about Capone's downfall. The two films demonstrate De Palma's interest in crime and justice and his mastery at creating period atmosphere.
- #046
Brian De Palma's cinema was celebrated with a retrospective program at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 2002. Held from February 6 to March 4, the event shows how much De Palma is respected by French film lovers. The retrospective also reveals that his auteur identity is appreciated in Europe as well.
- #048
Brian De Palma's cinema was honored with a retrospective program at the Cinémathèque française in Paris in 2018. Held from May 31 to July 4, the event highlights De Palma's place in French film culture. The retrospective shows how highly his films are regarded internationally.
- #049
For his book Are Snakes Necessary?, written with Susan Lehman, Brian De Palma initially wanted to use the title Just Desserts. The book was ultimately published as Are Snakes Necessary?. The title change shows De Palma's decision-making in the creative process and his collaboration with his editors. The book contains De Palma's observations on the world of cinema.
- #050
Brian De Palma stated that two projects he developed with Steven Spielberg, Congo and Starfire, were rejected by the studios. The projects show the pair's desire to collaborate, but they failed to win studio approval. The rejections suggest Hollywood's reluctance to take risks and that De Palma and Spielberg's visions may have been ahead of their time.
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