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Sep 10, 1958 (65 years old)
Spangler
Male
5 ft 8 in (1.74 m)
United States of America
Screenwriter , Film director , Film Producer , Television producer
Chris Columbus, an acclaimed American filmmaker, boasts a remarkable net worth of $90 million. Renowned for directing cinematic hits like "Home Alone" (1990), "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993), and the first two "Harry Potter" films, Columbus has solidified his standing in the entertainment industry.
As a producer, Chris has an extensive portfolio, contributing to acclaimed movies such as "Fantastic Four" (2005), "Night at the Museum" (2006), and "The Help" (2011). His writing credits include beloved classics like "Gremlins" (1984), "The Goonies" (1985), and "Christmas with the Kranks" (2004). Columbus co-founded the production companies 1492 Pictures and Maiden Voyage Pictures.
Chris Joseph Columbus was born on September 10, 1958, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, and raised in Champion, Ohio. His parents, Mary and Alex Columbus, held factory jobs. From a young age, Chris was captivated by storytelling, creating storyboards and 8mm films. He attended John F. Kennedy High School and later New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he was classmates with Alec Baldwin and Charlie Kaufman. Despite financial challenges, Columbus persevered, eventually catching the attention of Steven Spielberg with his short film "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here."
Columbus's professional journey began with screenwriting "Reckless" (1984), followed by "Gremlins" (1984), and "The Goonies" (1985), which were highly successful. His directorial debut came with "Adventures in Babysitting" (1987). "Home Alone" (1990), starring Macaulay Culkin, was a phenomenal success, grossing $476.7 million. Columbus also directed "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993) and the first two "Harry Potter" films, all of which achieved critical and commercial success.
Other notable works include directing "Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief" (2010), and producing "The Help" (2011). Columbus continued to expand his repertoire by directing "Pixels" (2015) and "The Christmas Chronicles 2" (2020).
Chris has been married to choreographer Monica Devereux since August 6, 1983. They have four children: Eleanor, Brendan, Isabella, and Violet, who have all appeared in his films. Eleanor and Violet have also followed creative paths, contributing to film production and direction. Columbus endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
Columbus received an Academy Award nomination for "The Help" (2012) and multiple BAFTA nominations for the "Harry Potter" films, winning for "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004). His films have earned numerous accolades, including Hugo Award nominations and Saturn Awards. He also garnered Independent Spirit Award nominations for "Mediterranea" (2016) and "Patti Cake$" (2018). In 2012, Chris was honored by the Art Directors Guild for his contribution to cinematic imagery.
