James Cameron Biography

An audacious visionary who developed new film technologies midstream in order to turn his creative visions into film reality, director James Cameron was credited with single-handedly resurrecting a once-dead science fiction genre, thanks to the timeless success of "The Terminator" (1984) and "Aliens" (1986). But because of his legendary temper and determination on set, Cameron also became known as one of the most difficult directors to work for, genius be damned. While it was true that he drove himself and his crews to the brink of exhaustion, no one could dispute his passion for blending film and technology, while effortlessly creating well-crafted stories and three dimensional characters. Despite his penchant for aliens and space, it was "Titanic" (1997) - a period romance based on a historical event - that cemented Cameron as a director for the ages. In fact, "Titanic" was a seminal event in cinema in terms of size, scope and commercial success. The film made Cameron a legend, despite the production nearly destroying him. In the end, however, Cameron laid claim to being one of the most proficient, admired and, above all, successful directors in Hollywood history.

Cameron was born on Aug. 16, 1954 in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada to Philip, an electrical engineer, and Shirley, a painter. The family later crossed the border to live, first in Niagara Falls, NY, then later in Brea, CA. As a youngster, he was interested in astronomy and science fiction, even penning his own short stories. After boasting as a nine-year-old that he could make a better movie than "King Kong vs. Godzilla" (1962), Cameron began taking a deeper interest in film. Meanwhile, he developed an obsession for building rockets and airplanes from junk piles; skills that later translated into building models on set. A voracious reader, Cameron consumed books as a child, making him verbally and mentally precocious enough to skip a grade in school. But his most significant moment came when he saw Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968). Cameron reportedly saw the movie 10 times and was inspired to experiment with his father's super-8 camera. After high school, he enrolled at California State University - Fullerton, where he studied physics for a year, before dropping out to marry a waitress, drive trucks and smoke pot. Despite his slip into a mundane blue collar life, Cameron remained obsessed with movies.

James Cameron