Spike Jonze

Born:October 22, 1969

Place of Birth:Rockville, Maryland, USA

Known For:Directing

Biography

Adam Spiegel, professionally known as Spike Jonze, is a versatile American filmmaker whose creativity knows no bounds. Born on October 22, 1969, Jonze has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry through his exceptional work as a director, producer, and actor. His portfolio encompasses a wide range of projects, including music videos, commercials, films, and television shows, showcasing his diverse talents and innovative storytelling techniques.

One of Jonze's most celebrated collaborations was with the talented writer Charlie Kaufman, resulting in cinematic masterpieces like "Being John Malkovich" (1999) and "Adaptation" (2002). These films not only captivated audiences with their unique narratives but also solidified Jonze's reputation as a visionary director with a distinctive style. His ability to blend surrealism with profound human emotions sets him apart as a true auteur in the film industry.

In 2009, Jonze mesmerized viewers with his directorial prowess in "Where the Wild Things Are," a poignant adaptation of Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book. Through this film, Jonze showcased his ability to connect with audiences of all ages, proving his versatility as a filmmaker who can effortlessly navigate between different genres and themes. His imaginative approach to storytelling and visual aesthetics continues to inspire aspiring filmmakers worldwide.

Apart from his directorial achievements, Jonze also made a mark as a co-creator and executive producer of the groundbreaking MTV series "Jackass." His involvement in this unconventional show highlighted his willingness to push boundaries and explore unconventional forms of entertainment, further cementing his reputation as a creative force in the industry.

In addition to his film and television work, Jonze co-founded Directors Label alongside acclaimed filmmakers Chris Cunningham and Michel Gondry. This platform provided a unique space for visionary directors to showcase their distinctive styles and collaborate on innovative projects, further solidifying Jonze's commitment to supporting creative talent and fostering artistic collaborations.

Currently serving as the creative director of VBS.tv, Jonze continues to push artistic boundaries and challenge conventional norms in the world of media and entertainment. His dedication to storytelling, coupled with his unparalleled vision, has earned him a place among the most influential and respected figures in the industry. As a part owner of the renowned skateboard company Girl Skateboards, Jonze's passion for creativity extends beyond the realm of filmmaking, reflecting his multifaceted interests and commitment to supporting diverse artistic endeavors.

Through his groundbreaking work and unwavering dedication to artistic excellence, Spike Jonze has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, inspiring generations of filmmakers and storytellers to think outside the box and embrace their creativity without limits. His legacy as a visionary director and creative genius continues to shine brightly, illuminating the path for future talents to follow in his innovative footsteps.

Images

Filmography

Acting

The Wolf of Wall Street

Dwayne (uncredited)

2013

A New York stockbroker refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, corporate banking world and mob infiltration. Based on Jordan Belfort's autobiography.

Her

Alien Child (voice)

2013

In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every need. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.

Babylon

Otto (uncredited)

2022

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, tracing the rise and fall of multiple characters in an era of unbridled decadence and depravity during Hollywood's transition from silent films to sound films in the late 1920s.

Sing 2

Jerry (voice) (uncredited)

2021

Buster and his new cast now have their sights set on debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City. But with no connections, he and his singers must sneak into the Crystal Entertainment offices, run by the ruthless wolf mogul Jimmy Crystal, where the gang pitches the ridiculous idea of casting the lion rock legend Clay Calloway in their show. Buster must embark on a quest to find the now-isolated Clay and persuade him to return to the stage.

The Game

Airbag EMT Beltran

1997

In honor of his birthday, San Francisco banker Nicholas Van Orton, a financial genius and a cold-hearted loner, receives an unusual present from his younger brother, Conrad: a gift certificate to play a unique kind of game. In nary a nanosecond, Nicholas finds himself consumed by a dangerous set of ever-changing rules, unable to distinguish where the charade ends and reality begins.

Moneyball

Alán (uncredited)

2011

The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

Dìdi (弟弟)

Dead Squirrel (voice)

2024

In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.

Where the Wild Things Are

Bob (voice) / Terry (voice)

2009

Max imagines running away from his mom and sailing to a far-off land where large talking beasts—Ira, Carol, Douglas, the Bull, Judith and Alexander—crown him as their king, play rumpus, build forts and discover secret hideaways.

Three Kings

Conrad Vig

1999

A group of American soldiers stationed in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War find a map they believe will take them to a huge cache of stolen Kuwaiti gold hidden near their base, and they embark on a secret mission that's destined to change everything.

Jackass Number Two

Self

2006

Jackass Number Two is a compilation of various stunts, pranks and skits, and essentially has no plot. Chris Pontius, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Bam Margera, and the whole crew return to the screen to raise the stakes higher than ever before.

Jackass: The Movie

Self

2002

Johnny Knoxville and his band of maniacs perform a variety of stunts and gross-out gags on the big screen for the first time. They wander around Japan in panda outfits, wreak havoc on a once civilized golf course, they even do stunts involving LIVE alligators, and so on.

Jackass Forever

Self

2022

The Jackass crew, along with some newcomers, returns for one final round of hilarious, absurd, and dangerous stunts.

Jackass 3.5

Self

2011

Johnny Knoxville of 'Jackass' releases unused material of stunts, tricks, antics and shenanigans shot during the production of 'Jackass 3D' that didn't make it into the film, as well as the hilarious outtakes.

Beastie Boys Story

Self (voice)

2020

Here's a little story they're about to tell... Mike Diamond and Adam Horovitz share the story of their band and 40 years of friendship in a live documentary experience directed by friend, collaborator, and their former grandfather, Spike Jonze.

Jackass 4.5

Self

2022

Through outrageous, never-before-seen footage, witness the making of the Jackass crew's last go at wild stunts.

Michel Gondry: Do It Yourself

Self - Director

2023

A portrait of French filmmaker Michel Gondry, creator, for three decades, of an imperfect, astonishing, fascinating, damaged and poetic work.

Production

Babygirl

Thanks

2024

A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.

Her

Producer

2013

The Fall

Presenter

2006

In a hospital on the outskirts of 1920s Los Angeles, an injured stuntman begins to tell a fellow patient, a little girl with a broken arm, a fantastic story about 5 mythical heroes. Thanks to his fractured state of mind and her vivid imagination, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur as the tale advances.

Lost in Translation

Thanks

2003

Two lost souls visiting Tokyo -- the young, neglected wife of a photographer and a washed-up movie star shooting a TV commercial -- find an odd solace and pensive freedom to be real in each other's company, away from their lives in America.

Being John Malkovich

Director

1999

One day at work, unsuccessful puppeteer Craig finds a portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. The portal soon becomes a passion for anybody who enters its mad and controlling world of overtaking another human body.

The Virgin Suicides

Thanks

2000

A group of male friends become obsessed with five mysterious sisters who are sheltered by their strict, religious parents.

Beau Is Afraid

Thanks

2023

Following the sudden death of his mother, a mild-mannered but anxiety-ridden man confronts his darkest fears as he embarks on an epic, Kafkaesque odyssey back home.

Synecdoche, New York

Producer

2008

A theater director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he attempts to create a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse as part of his new play.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Thanks

2005

Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

Where the Wild Things Are

Screenplay

2009

Jackass Number Two

Writer

2006

Adaptation.

Director

2002

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.

Jackass: The Movie

Writer

2002

Jackass Forever

Second Unit First Assistant Director

2022

The Jackass crew, along with some newcomers, returns for one final round of hilarious, absurd, and dangerous stunts.

Jackass 3.5

Producer

2011

Beastie Boys Story

Writer

2020

Human Nature

Producer

2001

Obsessive scientist Nathan and his lover, the naturalist Lila, discover Puff: a man born and raised in the wild. As Nathan trains the wild man in the civilized ways of the world, Lila fights to preserve the man’s natural state. In the power struggle that ensues, an unusual love triangle emerges.

Jackass 4.5

Writer

2022

Through outrageous, never-before-seen footage, witness the making of the Jackass crew's last go at wild stunts.

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond

Producer

2017

Offbeat documentarian Chris Smith provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Jim Carrey adopted the persona of idiosyncratic comedian Andy Kaufman on the set of Man on the Moon.