Chris Columbus (filmmaker)

Chris Columbus
Columbus at New York Comic Con in 2013
Born Chris Joseph Columbus
(1958-09-10) September 10, 1958
Spangler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Residence Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California
Education John F. Kennedy High School
Alma mater New York University
Occupation Filmmaker
Years active 1984–present
Notable work
Spouse(s) Monica Devereux (m. 1983)
Children 4

Chris Joseph Columbus[1][2] (born September 10, 1958) is an American filmmaker. Columbus is known for directing films such as Home Alone (1990), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), and for writing films such as Gremlins (1984) and The Goonies (1985).

Home Alone received a British Comedy Award for Best Comedy Film. Columbus received an Academy Award nomination for producing The Help (2011).

Early life

Columbus was born in Spangler, Pennsylvania and raised in Champion, Ohio, the son of Mary Irene (née Puskar), a factory worker, and Alex Michael Columbus, an aluminum plant worker and coal miner.[3][4][5]

Columbus is of Italian and Czech descent.[6] He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, Ohio and went on to study at New York University's film school at the Tisch School of the Arts, where he was a schoolmate of writer/director Charlie Kaufman[7] and Alec Baldwin.[8]

Although he received a scholarship, he forgot to renew it and was forced to take a factory job to pay for schooling.[9] While on shifts he secretly worked on a 20-page screenplay, which one of his teachers would later use to help him get an agent.[9] Columbus would later state the experience "saved my life" noting that he was able to experience "the terrifying reality I faced of having to live and work in that factory for the rest of my life in that town if I didn't make it".[9]

Career

Columbus worked as a screenwriter with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, working on Gremlins (1984), The Goonies (1985) and Young Sherlock Holmes (1985). He wrote the first episodes of the animated series Galaxy High (1986) and later made his directorial debut with the teen comedy Adventures in Babysitting (1987) and Heartbreak Hotel (1988).

His directorial work includes Home Alone (1990), Only the Lonely (1991), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Nine Months (1995), Stepmom (1998), Bicentennial Man (1999), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Rent (2005), I Love You Beth Cooper (2009), Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) and most recently Pixels (2015)

He was the producer of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), the third film in the Harry Potter film series, and received an Academy Award nomination for producing The Help (2011).

Columbus founded his production company named 1492 Pictures in 1995.

The character types preferred by Columbus are the everyday American men, women, and children who struggle to uphold family traditions against a changing, sometimes intimidating society.[3] In 1993, he said: "I can understand the validity of showing people the ugliness of the world, but I also think there is a place for movies to leave people with a sense of hope. If your film isn't going to do that, I just don't think it's worth making."[3]

Columbus created the House of Secrets book series with Ned Vizzini[10] and co-founded a new animation studio called ZAG Animation Studios with Saban Capital Group and ZAG Entertainment.[11] He is also a partner at production company, Ocean Blue Entertainment with 1492 Pictures cofounder Michael Barnathan and 1492 Pictures principal, Mark Radcliffe.[12][13][14]

In 2014, he formed another production company, Maiden Voyage Pictures with his daughter, Eleanor.[15][16]

Personal life

In 1982, Columbus married Monica Devereux, with whom he has four children: Eleanor (born 1989), Brendan (born 1992), Violet (born 1994), and Isabella (born 1996). Columbus lives in San Francisco's Pacific Heights. His children attend or previously attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. He donated money to the school for a new building, and the school's "piazza" is named after him.

Many of Columbus' family members —including his children, his wife, his mother, his father-in-law, and his cousin Robert Ayres— have appeared in cameo roles in his films. Particularly, his own daughter, Eleanor, portrayed the Hogwarts student Susan Bones in the first two Harry Potter films.

Filmography

YearTitleWriterDirectorProducerCameo
1984RecklessYes
GremlinsYes
1985The GooniesYes
Young Sherlock HolmesYes
1987Adventures in BabysittingYes
1988Heartbreak HotelYesYes
1989Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandYes
1990Home AloneYes
1991Only the LonelyYesYes
1992Home Alone 2: Lost in New YorkYesMan in toy store (uncredited)
1993Mrs. DoubtfireYes
1995Nine MonthsYesYesYes
1996Jingle All the WayYes
1998StepmomYesYes
1999Bicentennial ManYesYes
2001MonkeyboneYes
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneYesYes
2002Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsYesYes
2004Christmas with the KranksYesYes
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanYes
2005Fantastic FourYes
RentYesYesAngry man in car (uncredited)
2006Night at the MuseumYes
2007Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver SurferYes
2009Night at the Museum: Battle of the SmithsonianYes
I Love You, Beth CooperYesYes
2010Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning ThiefYesYes
2011The HelpYes
2013Percy Jackson: Sea of MonstersYes
2014Night at the Museum: Secret of the TombYes
2015PixelsYesYes
The WitchYes
It Had to Be YouYes
2016The Young MessiahYes
TallulahYes
2017Patti Cake$Yes
I Kill GiantsYes
2018The Christmas ChroniclesYes
TBAHello Ghost[17]YesYes
Melody[18]Yes
MiraculousYes
Five Nights at Freddy's[19]YesYesYes

Critical reception

Year Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1987 Adventures in Babysitting76%[20]N/A
1988 Heartbreak Hotel38%[21]N/A
1990 Home Alone62%[22]63%[23]
1992 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York27%[24]N/A
1993 Mrs. Doubtfire71%[25]53%[26]
1995 Nine Months28%[27]N/A
1998 Stepmom44%[28]58%[29]
1999 Bicentennial Man37%[30]42%[31]
2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone80%[32]64%[33]
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets82%[34]63%[35]
2005 Rent46%[36]53%[37]
2009 I Love You, Beth Cooper14%[38]32%[39]
2010 Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief49%[40]47%[41]
2015 Pixels17%[42]27%[43]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryFilmResult
1985Saturn AwardBest WritingGremlinsNominated
1986Young Sherlock HolmesNominated
2002Amanda AwardBest Foreign Feature FilmHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneNominated
Alexander Korda Award for Best British FilmBest Film Shared with David HeymanNominated
BAFTA Children's AwardBest Feature Film Shared with David Heyman and Steve KlovesNominated
Hugo AwardBest Dramatic Presentation Shared with Michael Barnathan, Duncan Henderson, David Heyman, Steve Kloves, and Mark Radcliffe Nominated
Saturn AwardBest DirectorNominated
2003Amanda AwardBest Foreign Feature FilmHarry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsNominated
BAFTA Children's AwardBest Feature Film Shared with David Heyman and Steve KlovesNominated
Hugo AwardBest Dramatic Presentation Shared with Steve Kloves and J.K. RowlingNominated
Mainichi Film AwardBest Foreign Language FilmWon
Saturn AwardBest DirectorNominated
2004BAFTA Children's AwardBest Feature Film Shared with Alfonso Cuarón, David Heyman, and Mark RadcliffeHarry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanWon
2005Alexander Korda Award for Best British FilmBest Film Shared with Alfonso Cuarón, David Heyman, and Mark RadcliffeNominated
Satellite AwardOutstanding DirectorRentNominated
2012Academy AwardBest Picture Shared with Michael Barnathan and Brunson GreenThe HelpNominated
AFI AwardMovie of the Year Shared with Michael Barnathan and Brunson GreenWon
Alexander Korda Award for Best British FilmBest Film Shared with Michael Barnathan and Brunson GreenNominated
Black Reel AwardBest Film Shared with Michael Barnathan and Brunson GreenWon
Christopher AwardBest Feature Films Shared with Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, Michael Barnathan, Jennifer Blum, Brunson Green, Sonya Lunsford, John Norris, Mark Radcliffe, Jeff Skoll, and Tate TaylorWon
Producers Guild of America AwardBest Theatrical Motion Pictures Shared with Michael Barnathan and Brunson GreenNominated
2016Golden Raspberry AwardWorst Picture Shared with Adam Sandler, Mark Radcliffe, and Allen CovertPixelsNominated

See also

References

  1. ↑ In the Matter of CERTAIN PRODUCTS WITH GREMLINS CHARACTER DEPICTIONS, p. 54
  2. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/apr/26/chris-columbus-childrens-novel-house-secrets
  3. 1 2 3 Wazir, Burhan (October 28, 2001). "Hogwarts and all". The Guardian. London. Retrieved April 28, 2010.
  4. ↑ Filmreference Biography
  5. ↑ Europa Publications (2003). The International Who's Who 2004. Routledge. p. 346. ISBN 1857432177.
  6. ↑ Janusonis, Michael (November 28, 1993). "Chris Columbus discovers a new joy in directing 'Mrs. Doubtfire'". Providence Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  7. ↑ Box Office Prophets Archived August 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ "Here's the Thing: Chris Columbus - WNYC". WNYC. September 16, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Lipworth, Elaine. "Chris Columbus: My dad said, 'Don't do a job you hate'". Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Kellogg, Carolyn (April 18, 2013). "Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini open up about 'House of Secrets'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  11. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/haim-saban-launches-animation-studio-744746
  12. ↑ "Chris Columbus". Ocean Blue Entertainment.
  13. ↑ "Michael Barnathan". Ocean Blue Entertainment.
  14. ↑ "Mark Radcliffe". Ocean Blue Entertainment.
  15. ↑ "Chris Columbus". Variety.
  16. ↑ "Chris Columbus' Maiden Voyage Pictures Next Sets Sail For 'Mediterranea". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  17. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (30 June 2011). "Karen Croner To Script 'Hello Ghost' Remake For Chris Columbus To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  18. ↑ "The World of Zag release dates". The World of Zag. October 31, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  19. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (12 February 2018). "Chris Columbus To Write & Direct Fright Feature 'Five Nights At Freddy's' For Blumhouse". Deadline. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  20. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Adventures in Babysitting''". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Heartbreak Hotel''". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Home Alone''". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Home Alone". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Home Alone 2: Lost in New York''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Mrs. Doubtfire''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Mrs. Doubtfire". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Nine Months''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Stepmom''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Stepmom". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Bicentennial Man''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Bicentennial Man". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Rent''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Rent". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''I Love You, Beth Cooper''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of I Love You, Beth Cooper". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Rotten Tomatoes T-Meter Rating of ''Pixels''". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Metacritic Rating of Pixels". Metacritic. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
Preceded by
None		 Harry Potter film director
2001–2002		 Succeeded by
Alfonso Cuarón
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