Steven Spielberg is an American director and writer best known for his bestselling blockbuster films and for creating some of the most recognizable movies of all time. Spielberg has won multiple accolades and awards for his work in cinema and is considered by many to be one of the greatest directors of his generation. The level of success and popularity of his films has helped make him the most commercially successful director in the history of film.
The Ohio native first started out his career by working as a director in television for projects such as "Night Gallery" and "Columbo." Spielberg did not release his first movie until 1974 with "The Sugarland Express." However, it was 1975's "Jaws" that helped Spielberg rise in fame as the movie dominated the franchise. Furthermore, the success of "Jaws" was followed up by "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" in 1982 and the directing for the entire "Indiana Jones" movie series.
Spielberg's other movies throughout the years include "The Color Purple" in 1982, "Jurassic Park" in 1993, "Saving Private Ryan" in 1998, and "War of the Worlds" in 2005. Spielberg has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks. He is the co-founder of DreamWorks and Amblin Entertainment, which are studios that have produced dozens of high-profile movies and blockbuster hits. He is considered one of the richest directors of all time with a reported net worth estimated to be over $8 billion.
He has numerous awards that include three Academy Awards and AFI Life Achievement Award. More than a half dozen of his movies were put into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. For over four decades since the start of Spielberg's career, he has continued to write and direct newly released movies that are often at the top of the box office.
