Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone
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Name:
Oliver Stone
Real name:
William Oliver Stone
Who is:
, ,
Birth date:
(78 y.o.)
Place of birth:
New York
Height:
6'0 ft ()
Weight:
176 lb (80 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Oliver Stone

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Oliver Stone's Biography

Oliver Stone is an American director, screenwriter, and producer who brought the world masterpieces like Platoon (1986), Wall Street (1987), Natural Born Killers (1994), and Alexander (2004). He wrote the scripts for iconic films Scarface starring Al Pacino (1983) and Midnight Express (1978). In 2017 he released a series of video interviews with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Net worth: $70 million.
Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone
Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone

Childhood

Oliver was born on September 15, 1946, in New York to a French mother, Jacqueline Goddet, and a Jewish father, Louis Stone (born Silverstein), who worked as a stockbroker. Oliver's parents met during World War II when Louis, along with other American soldiers, was sent to assist French troops.
Oliver Stone with his parents
Oliver Stone with his parents
Oliver attended Trinity School in New York before his parents sent him to school at Pennsylvania College. In 1962, while Oliver was away at school studying hard, his parents unexpectedly divorced. He took their split pretty hard. Later, he developed a closer relationship with his father than with his mother; he often focused on the theme of father-son relationships in his movies.
The young Oliver Stone with his father, 1968
The young Oliver Stone with his father, 1968
He frequently spent his summer holidays with his maternal grandparents: either in Paris or La Ferté-sous-Jouarre. This shaped his future in at least two ways: first, he became fluent in French; second, it was in Paris that the 17-year-old started his business ventures (selling sugar and cocoa), which later inspired Wall Street in the mid-'70s.

In 1964, Oliver graduated and entered Yale University, but he didn't stay long. He dropped out in 1965 and spent six months teaching English to South Vietnamese students before taking a job as a janitor on a military ship. He eventually returned to Yale but was expelled, partly because he spent more time working on his autobiography than studying. In 1997, this autobiography was published as A Child's Night Dream, with a screen adaptation planned for 2018.
Oliver Stone in Vietnam
Oliver Stone in Vietnam
According to Zoomboola.com, Stone enlisted to fight in Vietnam in September 1967, participating in the Battle of Fire Support Base Burt and suffering two wounds. He returned home in April 1968 and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
Oliver Stone (in the center) and his platoon comrades
Oliver Stone (in the center) and his platoon comrades

From Rifle to Camera

After returning from military service, the future director began studying Fine Arts at New York University with Martin Scorsese as his mentor. In 1971 he presented his debut 12-minute short film Last Year in Viet Nam, narrated by a soldier who fought in Vietnam.

This marked the start of his long climb to fame; he worked as a taxi driver, film studio assistant, mail carrier, and bank teller. During this period, he managed to make the low-budget horror film Seizure (1974). His second feature-length horror film The Hand premiered in 1979. The film follows an artist who loses his right hand in a car accident caused by his wife. The severed hand begins taking revenge on everyone who has wronged its owner.
A scene from The Hand (1981)
A scene from The Hand (1981)
Neither of the movies was very successful. However, between these two premieres, Oliver Stone won his first Oscar—not as a director, but as screenwriter for Alan Parker's thriller Midnight Express. The film depicts the harsh ordeal of an American citizen sentenced to an unreasonably long prison term for a minor offense committed in Turkey. This film established the central theme of Oliver Stone's future work—the inner struggle of individuals whose will and integrity are tested by extreme circumstances.
Oliver Stone receives his first Oscar
Oliver Stone receives his first Oscar
Oliver Stone quickly earned his place among the select group of filmmakers who defined the New Hollywood movement. In 1982, he wrote the screenplay for John Milius's Conan the Barbarian. Soon after, he created the screenplay for the gangster epic Scarface. Notably, this iconic film—beloved by millions—was actually a remake of the 1931 version; however, Stone took considerable liberties with the original script, completely transforming the main character's personality and worldview.

A year later, Michael Cimino's crime drama Year of the Dragon, based on Oliver Stone's screenplay, hit theaters. Notably, in the early '80s, Oliver worked on screenplays for films that had little artistic merit and featured extensive violence. Later, he reconsidered his approach and directed several political films, including Salvador in 1986.

Antiwar Movies

The critics say that Oliver Stone's movies may well be used to study the modern history of America. For example, the director made antiwar movies, such as Born on the Fourth of July and Platoon with Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen and Forest Whitaker. Both masterpieces won Oscars. Another antiwar movie by Oliver Stone was Heaven & Earth (1993). He knew firsthand what war was like and impressed millions of viewers by his portrayal of it. Stone himself appeared in the movie in a cameo role as an officer in the bunker.
Platoon: Oliver Stone in a cameo role
Platoon: Oliver Stone in a cameo role
It was Platoon that made Oliver Stone a household name in America. The movie's success inspired Stone to dive into new projects; over the next decade he released a film each year, with all of them earning critical acclaim from audiences, especially the stock exchange drama Wall Street (1989) starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen.
Monologue from Oliver Stone's Wall Street
In 1988, Stone released the drama Talk Radio, which won the Berlinale award. The film follows an unhinged radio host who fearlessly tackles any topic on air; however, one day his words drive a listener to murder.
A scene from Talk Radio
A scene from Talk Radio
The following year, Stone's antimilitary drama Born on the Fourth of July starring Tom Cruise and Willem Dafoe hit theaters, grossing $161 million (phenomenal for those days) and winning four Golden Globe Awards.
Born on the Fourth of July – Stone's second antiwar movie
Born on the Fourth of July – Stone's second antiwar movie
In 1991, audiences got to experience The Doors' musical biography through Oliver Stone's vision. Val Kilmer plays the lead singer Jim Morrison.
The Doors: Oliver Stone cast Val Kilmer in the lead singer's role
The Doors: Oliver Stone cast Val Kilmer in the lead singer's role
Stone's next ambitious project was JFK, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, Joe Pesci, and Sissy Spacek. The film explores the President's assassination from attorney Jim Garrison's perspective. The drama generated considerable debate in American society.
Oliver Stone on the set of the movie about the assassination of John Kennedy
Oliver Stone on the set of the movie about the assassination of John Kennedy
In 1993, Stone premiered the military drama Heaven & Earth; American and French producers collaborated on this Vietnam War film, told from an unusual perspective. The story revolves around the life of a Vietnamese woman over a period of 30 years.
A scene from Heaven & Earth
A scene from Heaven & Earth
Success didn't spoil Oliver Stone – he kept surprising audiences. In 1994, Natural Born Killers hit theaters with a script by Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino. The plot is deceptively simple: modern-day Bonnie and Clyde – Mallory and Mickey (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis) – go on a killing spree across America, murdering people on camera while always leaving one witness behind.
On the set of Natural Born Killers
On the set of Natural Born Killers
A year later, Stone shifted from hard-hitting social dramas back to politics with Nixon. Anthony Hopkins plays the infamous President.
Oliver Stone and Anthony Hopkins, 1996
Oliver Stone and Anthony Hopkins, 1996
In 2003, Stone released the documentary Comandante, exploring Cuba's situation through extensive interviews with Fidel Castro.
Oliver Stone interviews Fidel Castro
Oliver Stone interviews Fidel Castro
In 2004, the historical epic Alexander arrived – chronicling Alexander the Great's life with Colin Farrell in the title role. Unfortunately, the film bombed at the box office, earning just $165 million against a $155 million budget (plus $40 million in marketing costs). The film's depiction of Alexander's bisexuality proved controversial: the film portrayed Alexander's romantic relationship with his companion Hephaestion (Jared Leto).
Oliver Stone and Angelina Jolie on the set of Alexander
Oliver Stone and Angelina Jolie on the set of Alexander
Stone also felt compelled to tackle 9/11: he made World Trade Center, starring Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña. The film depicted the 21st century's defining tragedy through the eyes of two police officers trapped in the World Trade Center's wreckage.
Building the film set proved a mammoth task
Building the film set proved a mammoth task
Stone returned to political biopics in 2008. This time he turned his lens on George W. Bush, with Josh Brolin delivering a standout performance.
Josh Brolin as George W. Bush
Josh Brolin as George W. Bush
In 2017, Stone released the documentary series The Putin Interviews with the provocative tagline "Know your enemy." The interviews were shot over two years. Stone personally sat down with the Russian leader across multiple locations: the Kremlin, Sochi, and Putin's presidential residence outside Moscow. The director asked Putin questions about the prospects of Russian-US relations, the war in Syria, the conflict with Ukraine, Edward Snowden's activities, and the dark side of Putin's own biography.
Exclusive interview. Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone's Personal Life

Oliver Stone has been married three times. His first wife was Lebanese actress Najwa Sarkis. The marriage lasted 6 years, from 1971 to 1976.

In 1981, Stone married for the second time. His bride was Elizabeth Cox, the director's assistant. They had two sons: Sean (born 1984) and Michael (born 1991). As a child, Sean appeared in several of his father's films and later joined Russia Today. Oliver and Elizabeth divorced in 1993.
The director's eldest son, Sean Stone
The director's eldest son, Sean Stone
Stone is currently married to Sun-Jung Jung from South Korea. The couple has a daughter, Tara (born 1995), and they currently reside in Los Angeles.
Oliver Stone with his wife and daughter
Oliver Stone with his wife and daughter

Oliver Stone Now

The Putin documentary didn't boost Stone's popularity back home. Critics accused Stone of serving Kremlin interests and being a Russian puppet. The director stated that he had made the movie in order for Americans to understand their opponent's point of view and prevent U.S.-Russia relations from getting worse.
Oliver Stone and Vladimir Putin
Oliver Stone and Vladimir Putin
In 2019, Oliver Stone presented to the world a new work - the film "The Untold History of Ukraine", filmed together with the Ukrainian director Igor Lapotenko. The film shows the development of events in Ukraine after the Orange Revolution and Euromaidan.
Ukraine on Fire: Trailer

Oliver Stone: latest news and articles

  • I remember filming about Putin... Yes, he likes to surprise and does not stop doing it. By the way, I saw that he was spotted in Murmansk, it looks like some kind of film about Russia again
    2021-04-28 16:11:34
  • He made good films, but I really don`t like this genre, but high quality is a fact
    2021-04-21 15:04:01
  • Fearless and inquisitive Stone! Only such people are capable of making documentaries of this depth.
    2021-04-19 12:55:32
  • He is definitely a king of documentaries
    2021-03-21 09:28:21
  • If I am not mistaken, he directed the film Alexander. Once I was very fond of historical films and this one was my favorite.
    2021-02-18 19:50:31
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