Gus Van Sant
Personal Info
Known for
Directing
Gender
Male
Birthday
1952-07-24 (72 years old)
Place of Birth
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Gus Van Sant
Biography
Gus Green Van Sant, Jr. (born July 24, 1952) is an American director, screenwriter, painter, photographer, musician, and author. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Achievement in Directing for his 1997 film Good Will Hunting and his 2008 film Milk, and won the Palme d'Or at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival for his film Elephant. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
His early career was devoted to directing television commercials in the Pacific Northwest. In his films, he has dealt with themes concerning homosexuality and other marginalized subcultures.
His filmography as writer and director includes an adaptation of Tom Robbins' novel Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, which features a diverse cast (Keanu Reeves, Roseanne Barr, Uma Thurman, and k.d. lang, with cameos by William S. Burroughs and Heather Graham, among others); and My Own Private Idaho, also starring Reeves as well as River Phoenix.
He wrote the screenplays for most of his early movies, and wrote one novel, Pink. A book of his photography has also been published, called 108 Portraits.
Acting
(2024)
(2024)
who is Gus Van Sant?
as Himself
(2023)
Nicole Kidman: Eyes Wide Open
as Self (interview)
(2019)
Zeroville
as Film Archive Curator
(2019)
At the Video Store
as Self
(2018)
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
as Willamette Week Editor
(2018)
Illegal Civilization 3
as Self
(2016)
(2015)
About Cinema
as Self
(2015)
(2013)
The Canyons
as Dr. Campbell
(2012)
A Special Day
as Self
(2012)
(2011)
The Advocate for Fagdom
as Self
(2010)
(2008)
Critic
as Self
(2008)
(2007)
Here’s Looking at You, Boy
as Self
(2007)
In the Mood for Doyle
as Self
(2007)
Paranoid Park
as Guy Reading Newspaper (uncredited)
(2006)
(2005)
(2005)
Last Days
as Phone Voice (voice)
(2004)
(2004)
The Making of Last Days
as Himself
(2003)
About Elephant
as Self
(2003)
Saltlake Van Sant
as Self
(2001)
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
as Gus Van Sant
(2001)
Rescued from the Closet
as Self
(2000)
Finding Forrester
as Library Assistant (uncredited)
(2000)
Psycho Path
as Self - Director
(1999)
(1998)
Strange Parallel
as Self
(1998)
Psycho
as Man Talking to Man in Cowboy Hat (uncredited)
(1998)
(1995)
(1993)
Made in the USA
as Self
(1991)
My Own Private Idaho
as Man Behind Hotel Counter (uncredited)
(1991)
(1989)
Drugstore Cowboy
as Himself (uncredited)
(1988)
Junior
as Himself
(1988)
Mala Noche
as Guy at Hotel (uncredited)
(1987)
Crew
Killing Gawker
Director
The Prince of Fashion
Screenplay, Director
Dead Man's Wire
Director
Antinous
Producer
My Friend
Director
(2021)
(2018)
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
Director, Editor, Screenplay, Story
(2018)
Age Out
Executive Producer
(2016)
The Sea of Trees
Director
(2015)
I Am Michael
Executive Producer
(2013)
Strutter
Thanks
(2012)
Promised Land
Director, Executive Producer
(2012)
Laurence Anyways
Executive Producer
(2012)
My Own Private River
Director
(2011)
Restless
Director, Producer
(2010)
Virginia
Executive Producer
(2010)
Howl
Executive Producer
(2010)
I'm Still Here
Thanks
(2010)
Shit Year
Thanks
(2009)
Accidents Happen
Thanks
(2008)
Milk
Director, Sound Re-Recording Mixer
(2008)
8
Director, Editor
(2008)
Mansion on the Hill
Director
(2007)
Paranoid Park
Screenplay, Director, Editor
(2007)
To Each His Own Cinema
Director
(2007)
First Kiss
Director
(2006)
Paris Je T'aime
Director, Writer
(2006)
Best of Chris Isaak
Director
(2006)
Le Marais
Writer, Director
(2006)
Cinema16: American Short Films
Director
(2006)
Wild Tigers I Have Known
Executive Producer
(2005)
Last Days
Director, Screenplay, Editor
(2004)
On the Set of 'Elephant': Rolling Through Time
Executive Producer
(2003)
Tarnation
Executive Producer
(2003)
Elephant
Screenplay, Editor, Director
(2002)
Gerry
Editor, Director, Writer
(2002)
David Bowie: Best of Bowie
Director
(2000)
Finding Forrester
Director
(2000)
De Witt Clinton Choir
Director
(2000)
Easter
Director
(2000)
Psycho Path
Executive Producer
(1999)
Speedway Junky
Executive Producer
(1998)
Psycho
Producer, Director
(1997)
Good Will Hunting
Director, Sound Re-Recording Mixer
(1997)
Ballad of the Skeletons
Writer, Director
(1996)
Four Boys in a Volvo
Director
(1995)
To Die For
Director
(1995)
Kids
Executive Producer
(1994)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Director, Writer, Editor, Executive Producer
(1991)
My Own Private Idaho
Director, Screenplay
(1991)
Thanksgiving Prayer
Director, Producer
(1991)
Flea Sings
Director
(1989)
Drugstore Cowboy
Director, Screenplay
(1988)
Mala Noche
Director, Screenplay, Producer, Editor
(1988)
Junior
Director
(1988)
Ken Death Gets Out of Jail
Director
(1987)
My New Friend
Director
(1987)
Five Ways to Kill Yourself
Director, Writer
(1985)
Switzerland
Director
(1982)
The Discipline of D.E.
Director
(1979)
Psycho Shampoo
Director
(1979)
Property
Sound
(1973)
1/2 of a Telephone Conversation
Director
(1972)
Little Johnny
Director
(1971)
The Happy Organ
Director