Cameron Crowe

Guide Note

Cameron Crowe is a writer, producer and director of such films as Jerry Maguire and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay for his semi-autobiographical 2000 film Almost Famous.

When he was a teenager, Crowe started out as a rock music writer for Creem magazine (edited by legendary music journalist Lester Bangs) and eventually Rolling Stone. These experiences became the inspiration for his Oscar-winning movie Almost Famous. Though he graduated high school early, he went undercover and posed as a senior to write the novel Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which would eventually be made into his first film. It was a surprise hit and became a springboard for the acting careers of future A-listers like Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage.

Starting with 1989's Say Anything, Crowe launched a successful directing career that included Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky, and the aforementioned Almost Famous.

Because of his background in rock journalism and his love for music, Crowe is known for carefully crafting the soundtracks of his films and having the music play an important role. In Almost Famous, Crowe and his wife (Nancy Wilson of Heart) even wrote several songs that were performed in the film by the fictional band Stillwater.

Fast Facts

1. Born: July 13, 1957
2. Hometown: Palm Springs, California
3. Spouse: Nancy Wilson
4. Children: Billy & Curtis (twins)
5. Golden Globe nominations: 1
6. Academy Awards: 1
7. Additiona Academy Award nominations: 1
8. Alma Mater: California State University
9. First Rolling Stone cover story: The Allman Brothers Band