Shia LaBeouf biography, net worth, wife, song, just do it, age, baby 2025

Shia LaBeouf biography

Charismatic and undeniably talented, American actor and filmmaker Shia LaBeouf has earned multiple awards and nominations, including notable BAFTA and Saturn nods. He's known not only for his standout performances in blockbusters like Transformers, Disturbia, and Eagle Eye, but also for his involvement in scandalous and controversial projects. Net worth: $25 million.

Early Life and childhood

Shia Saide LaBeouf was born on June 11, 1986, in Los Angeles, California, into what he'd later describe as a decent but decidedly strange Jewish family. His grandmother, for instance, changed one letter in her surname so it would sound like "beef" in French—just to tick off her parents. This surname, paired with the unusual name Shia (Hebrew for "gift of God"), created quite the extravagant combination—likely chosen by his parents for kicks.

His father, Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf, struggled to adapt to civilian life after returning from Vietnam and was working as a circus clown when Shia was born. His mother, Shayna (née Saide), was a clothing and jewelry designer who also worked as a dancer and ballerina, practiced esoteric disciplines, and was pretty otherworldly herself.

Jeffrey was rarely around, spending most of his time drinking with fellow veterans and battling a heroin addiction. He tried to fight his addiction, quitting drugs and alcohol numerous times and attending AA meetings (often bringing young Shia along), but he relapsed every time.

When Shia was about six, Jeffrey couldn't handle his addiction alone and checked into rehab. Shayna, exhausted by her husband's addiction, filed for divorce and left with their son.

They constantly struggled financially, moving from apartment to apartment and forcing Shia to switch schools repeatedly. With no one to share his problems and concerns, the future actor coped with his troubled childhood through writing. One day, curious about what Shia was scribbling in his notebooks, Shayna discovered satirical sketches tinged with cynicism and dark humor. She arranged for him to perform at a club where she worked, helping her 15-year-old son gain valuable stage experience as a stand-up comedian.

Early career

Soon enough, Shia landed an agent who helped the young actor navigate Hollywood's acting circles and secure major roles in serious films. Before that, LaBeouf had already tested the waters on screen, but mostly in TV series where he landed supporting roles. Holes (2003) brought Shia his first taste of popularity; he got an opportunity to work alongside Sigourney Weaver and Jon Voight. Known mostly for his comedic performances, the movie gave Shia a chance to showcase his impressive dramatic talent, broadening his professional horizons.

Holes (2003) - Trailer

He continued his success streak with The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005). Shia LaBeouf appeared in fantasy film I, Robot (2004), and mystical drama Constantine (2005). A couple of years later he starred in Disturbia (2007), which established him as a serious actor. But his real breakthrough came with the fantasy blockbuster Transformers (2007), where Shia portrayed high school student Sam Witwicky, making the young actor an overnight Hollywood star.

«Shia LaBeouf» Live - Rob Cantor

Career Breakthrough

Transformers was an enormous box office success, allowing its creators to continue the franchise with second and third installments of the Autobot saga. Thanks to his role in these movies, Shia LaBeouf secured his financial future and could stop worrying about money entirely, even though he'd never been focused on material wealth.

The Transformers franchise was a huge box office success

After Transformers' success, the actor found himself courted by respected directors and casting agents. Steven Spielberg cast LaBeouf in the fourth Indiana Jones installment (2008) and invited him to another project - Eagle Eye (2008).

Eagle Eye - Trailer

In 2009, Shia LaBeouf appeared in the unusual comedy-drama anthology film New York, I Love You, consisting of eleven short films, each directed by a different filmmaker. The film featured Andrey Zvyagintsev, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson.

Shia LaBeouf in anthology film New York, I Love You

A year later, the actor appeared in Oliver Stone's Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) movie, paired up with Michael Douglas himself. He then joined Tom Hardy in Lawless (2012) crime drama film. He later appeared in Nymphomaniac (2013) by Lars von Trier, where he met his future wife.

Shia LaBeouf fanatically prepares for his every role

It's worth noting that Shia fanatically prepares for every role and tries to embody each character completely. He drank heavily during the filming of Lawless, took LSD on the Charlie Countryman set, and even knocked out his front tooth for his role in Fury. His real-life behavior was equally eccentric and unconventional, sometimes downright shocking, earning him the title of Hollywood's new madman.

Controversy and scandalous behavior

Shia is a magnet for controversy, constantly finding himself at the center of scandals and legal troubles—and he genuinely seems to thrive on it. Never mind his routine run-ins with police, multiple arrests, and DUI charges involving legally questionable substances. More recently, he's become notorious for his art performances, which regularly generate buzz and land him on front pages.

Shai LaBeouf is notorious for his daring performances and controversy

During the premiere of Nymphomaniac by Lars von Trier, Shia appeared on a red carpet wearing a brown paper bag over his head with the words I'M NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE written on it. According to Zoomboola.com, a few years later he showed up at Oxford University, where he spent an entire day riding an elevator and talking with strangers while filming and streaming the whole thing online.

He also arranged a meeting with his social media followers it one of the New York cinemas, where he was watching his own movies for three days straight.

In 2017, Shia launched a solo protest against then-President Donald Trump, which ended up provoking several Trump supporters. LaBeouf sparked a brawl that left several people injured.

Shia LaBeouf «Just Do It»

A few months later, the intoxicated actor caused chaos at a local bowling alley and was forced into rehab for his drug and alcohol addiction. It wasn't his first stint in addiction treatment—the actor openly admits he has serious substance abuse issues.

Personal life

The actor is well-known for his on-set romances. His relationship with future wife, actress Mia Goth, his co-star in Nymphomaniac, was no exception. They first met in 2012, dated for four years, and finally tied the knot in 2016.

The marriage wasn't built to last, and the couple divorced in fall 2018. Surprisingly, there was no drama between the actors—they peacefully split their assets and moved on. The main reason for separation was Shia's alcohol addiction.

Shia didn't stay single long, quickly finding romance with Tahliah Barnett, Robert Pattinson's ex-girlfriend. The couple has been pretty open about their relationship and isn't shy about public appearances.

In 2020, Mia and Shia reunited, and in February 2022, media reported that the couple was expecting their first child.

Shia LaBeouf now

In 2019, the world saw two films with Shia LaBeouf at once. In the film "Honey Boy" the actor played the role of James Lort. He also acted as a screenwriter. In the same year, he played Tyler in The Peanut Butter Falcon. "The Tax Collector" is scheduled to premiere in November 2020, starring Shia.

Martha Rose

LaBeouf may be talented, but he is extremely unpleasant person. Do you remember any news about him, is he PR or really crazy?

2021-04-22 13:12:30
Steven Watts

Shia is a very unusual actor, and in a simple life too, just a little crazy :)) I remember reading all sorts of things about him, cool.

2021-04-02 20:39:30
Todd Gibson

LaBeouf is a great actor. For just one role in The Peanut Butter Falcon, I`m ready to give him an Oscar. Only unfortunately he is a mad and scary person

2021-03-03 09:29:40
Wilma Jones

I do not like him in transformers, as it is not the topic of the character. In Indiana Jones, it’s not very good either, maybe they just picked up such an image.

2021-02-17 15:09:18
Valerie Jones

Cool actor. And I also know that he is very strange and unusual in life.

2021-01-02 12:03:25

Photos: Shia LaBeouf