Brian De Palma is an American film director, screenwriter, and cameraman. Thanks to his work, such action-packed films as "Razor", "Carrie", "Scarface", "The Untouchables", "Carlito's Way" and "Mission Impossible" were released.
Biography of Brian De Palma
Brian De Palma (full name - Brian Russell De Palma) was born on September 11, 1940 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. His parents were Italians Anthony (orthopedic surgeon) and Vivienne De Palma. Brian was the youngest of three children in the family. The boy received his religious education at the Presbyterian Church. At an early age, Brian had little interest in films, preferring to study physics and participate in science exhibitions. In addition, De Palma worked a lot with technology and electronics. At one time, Brian became interested in medicine - he oversaw the surgical operations of his father.
In the late 1950s, Brian graduated from high school and entered Columbia University in 1962. As a student, De Palma went on to study physics and technology. A revolution in the life of the future director happened after he watched the action-packed film "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock. He soon turned away from studying sciences in order to focus on the art of drama. Later, Brian even played in several plays, and he liked it so much that De Palma sold all his electronic equipment to buy cinema equipment.
Career and work of Brian De Palma
De Palma's first film work was Icarus in 1960. Two years later, he released a 30-minute film, Watson Wake, about how one day a sculpture discovered that part of his abstract art had taken on the image of a woman. This film even won an award in 1963.
From 1962 to 1964, Brian studied for an MA in Fine Arts.
The future famous actor Robert De Niro at the beginning of his career starred in several films by Brian De Palma, including the comedy "Wedding Party", which was released only in 1969.
In the early 1970s, De Palma began collaborating with the Hollywood studio Warner Brothers, which jointly released the film Need to Know Where Your Rabbit is. However, due to controversy on the set, Brian soon had to quit his job.
Disillusioned with Hollywood, De Palma returned to New York to begin his independent work in film production. Brian had to seek funding from investors, and only partially sponsor himself. In the future, the director will even create his own film studio, De Palma.
In 1973, thanks to Brian's work, the action-packed film "Sisters" in the spirit of Hitchcock was released, and a year later - the musical thriller "The Phantom of Paradise", based on various gothic literary works. In 1975 this "scary musical" won the main prize at the Avoriaz Film Festival.
The next successful work of the filmmaker in 1976 - a fantastic horror film based on the work of Stephen King "Carrie". Here the main character is an outcast schoolgirl who has discovered the ability to telekinesis. It stars Sissy Spacek, William Catt, Piper Laurie and John Travolta.
In 1980, De Palma directed and wrote the crime thriller Razor, which caused a stir among feminists. Actress Angie Dickinson was able to convincingly translate her film character, and won the award for Best Actress. The film itself was nominated for Saturn, Golden Globe and even one Golden Raspberry anti-award.
De Palma received critical acclaim as a director in 1983 after the crime drama Scarface starring Al Pacino, in which he played as a Cuban émigré involved in the illegal cocaine trade.
In 1987, Brian De Palma worked on the gangster film The Untouchables. This crime thriller grossed almost $ 80 million, and Sean Connery, one of the main actors besides Robert De Niro and Kevin Costner, even won an Oscar.
In 1993, De Palma directed the gangster film based on Edwin Torres's novel Carlito's Way with Al Pacino.
The director's other most successful and famous film came out in 1996, Mission Impossible, starring Tom Cruise. This action movie became the third highest grossing film of the year, having paid off almost 6 times.
In 1998, a crime thriller with Nicholas Cage "Eyes of the Serpent" was released, which grossed more than $ 100 million at the box office.
In 2006, Brian De Palma filmed a neo-noir detective about a mysterious murder investigation against the backdrop of Los Angeles in the 1940s. Among the famous Hollywood actors who played the roles: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Rose McGowan.
For almost 50 years of his film career, Brian De Palma continues to work in his favorite action genre.
In 2019, after a 4-year hiatus, the crime thriller Domino will be released with actor Guy Pearce. Among the director's film projects, the upcoming film "The Untouchables: The Formation of Capone", Gerard Butler is invited to play the main role.
Personal life of Brian De Palma
Director and screenwriter De Palma has been married and divorced three times.
The first marriage was with the actress Nancy Allen from 1979 to 1983, with whom Brian met on the set of the movie "Carrie".
The second was with film producer Gail Ann Heard from 1991 to 1993. One child from marriage - Lolita.
The third - with actress Darnell Gregorio from 1995 to 1996. One child from marriage - Piper.
