DIRECTOR · BORN 1946
Steven Spielberg
- Born
- 18 December 1946, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Known for
- Men in Black (1997), Jaws (1975), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
99 archived facts 6 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
18 Facts About Steven Spielberg's Life and Family
- #002
Spielberg has often spoken of his interest in video games and of how the medium's development process fascinates him. In his view, interactive storytelling and the fusion of technology with games offer an inspiring space for cinema as well. This passion has led him at times to move closer to the gaming world and to follow its innovations.
- #011
Spielberg is the godfather of Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow. This bond has made him known not only as a director but also as someone capable of forming close friendships. Barrymore came into Spielberg's life through her role in E.T., while Paltrow maintained this special relationship through family friendships. Spielberg's closeness to these two actors shows that he builds strong ties off set as well.
- #012
Among Spielberg's favorite activities for relaxing at home are watching golf on television and playing Assassin's Creed. These hobbies help him step away from intense film shoots and rest his mind. His interest in video games also reflects his curiosity about technology and interactive storytelling.
- #018
Spielberg's father, Arnold Spielberg, was an innovator who worked on the first commercially sold computer in 1950. This technological legacy may have influenced Spielberg's interest in science and technology. His father's work has also been a source of inspiration for the themes of technology and human interaction that Spielberg often explores in his films.
- #022
Steven Spielberg is of Hungarian origin, and his surname comes from the Austrian city where his ancestors lived. This origin offers an important clue about his family background and identity. Spielberg has stated that he is proud of this heritage and that his family's story shaped his worldview.
- #028
In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, humans and aliens use music and computers to communicate. Steven Spielberg's father was a computer scientist and his mother was a musician. This connection was pointed out to Spielberg by host James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio, and Spielberg was very happy with this realization. This detail shows that the film's themes carry traces of Spielberg's personal life.
- #031
After being rejected twice by the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Steven Spielberg attended California State University, Long Beach. This rejection was not an obstacle in his career; on the contrary, it encouraged him to move forward on a different path. While continuing his education at Long Beach, he kept developing his talent in cinema and eventually became one of the most important directors in film history.
- #035
On May 31, 2002, Steven Spielberg graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in film and electronic arts. He had left university in 1968 to focus on his career, but in the 2000s he completed his remaining requirements with independent projects. The school waived its requirement that seniors submit a 12-minute short film by accepting his film Schindler's List. This graduation shows the importance Spielberg places on education and his perseverance.
- #042
Spielberg's father, Arnold Spielberg, served in the Southeast Asia theater during World War II. This military background may have influenced Spielberg's interest in war-themed films. His father's experiences inspired Spielberg to explore war's effects on people in films such as Saving Private Ryan.
- #047
On Veterans Day 1999, Spielberg received the Distinguished Public Service Award, the U.S. Navy's highest civilian honor, for his work on Saving Private Ryan. The award recognized the film's success in conveying the realities of war and the sacrifices of soldiers. With the film, Spielberg earned great respect not only in the film world but also in society at large.
- #049
Spielberg has been a lifelong fan of the 007 films and names Honor Blackman as his favorite Bond girl. Blackman is known for the role of Pussy Galore in Goldfinger. Spielberg's choice shows his interest in the James Bond series and his appreciation of the films' importance in cinema history.
- #051
The Capshaw-Spielberg family includes seven children: Theo was adopted by Kate Capshaw before her marriage to Spielberg and later adopted by Spielberg as well; Sasha, Sawyer, Mikaela and Destry are the couple's biological or adopted children. Jessica, from Kate Capshaw's previous marriage, and Max, from Spielberg's previous marriage, are also part of the family. This large family structure shows the importance Spielberg places on his role as a father and his effort to bring together children from different backgrounds.
- #052
Spielberg has never recorded a director's commentary for any DVD of his films. The choice reflects his wish to leave his films open to viewers' own interpretations. He may also believe that director's commentaries can spoil the film experience. The stance reflects his confidence in his artistic vision and his belief that his films should speak for themselves.
- #054
In his interview on Inside the Actors Studio, Spielberg said his favorite curse word is 'Rats!' The expression suggests he has a gentle and humorous personality. Such a curse word could also be said to fit his family-friendly image.
- #074
Spielberg announced in February 2008 that he was stepping down from his advisory role for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Behind the decision was his reaction to the Chinese government's inaction over the genocide in Darfur. Refusing to stay silent about human rights violations, the director clearly set out his stance against sport and art being used as tools of political pressure. The episode also revealed that Spielberg is not only a filmmaker but also an activist with a sense of social responsibility.
- #085
Accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 66th Golden Globe Awards, Spielberg spoke about the origins of his passion for cinema. He stated that the train crash scene in DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), which he watched with his father, ignited his interest in cinema. Saying 'I think my fate was decided that day, in 1952,' Spielberg candidly expressed how that memory shaped both his interest in electric train sets and in film. The speech laid bare how deep and personal his love of cinema is.
- #088
Spielberg had the opportunity to work with both James Brolin and his son Josh Brolin on different projects. He came together with James Brolin on Catch Me If You Can (2002), while he worked with Josh Brolin on The Goonies (1985) and Into the West (2005). This shows Spielberg's flexibility in collaborating with actors from different generations and his broad network of actors.
- #096
Spielberg says that his most productive and creative periods were the times when he was working on more than one project at once. For example, he produced E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Poltergeist (1982) in the same period. Similarly, he directed Schindler's List (1993) and Jurassic Park (1993) within the same year. War Horse (2011) and The Adventures of Tintin (2011) are another example of this multi-project management. This intense working pace lays bare his energy and his passion for cinema.
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