Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthDecember 30, 1966
MarkFrequently casts actors in roles that are against type (i.e. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill and Steve Carell)
FactFriends with author Sarah Vowell and is mentioned numerous times in her book 'Assasination Vacation'.


Bennett Miller is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for directing the films Capote (2005), Moneyball (2011), and Foxcatcher (2014). His films have been nominated for five Academy Awards and have won two.

Miller was born in New York City, the son of American Jewish parents, Marjorie (née Gettleman), a psychoanalyst, and Mark Miller, a writer and educator. His mother was born in New York, to Polish Jewish immigrants, and his father was born in Chicago, to a Jewish family from Ukraine. Miller has a sister, Rebecca, who is also a writer.

Miller was raised in a secular household in Brooklyn Heights, and attended the High School of Music & Art in Manhattan. He later studied film at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he made his student film Short Order (1991).

Miller’s first feature film, Capote (2005), was based on the life of writer Truman Capote and starred Philip Seymour Hoffman in the title role. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hoffman.

Miller’s next film, Moneyball (2011), was based on the true story of Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The film starred Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Pitt.

Miller’s third film, Foxcatcher (2014), was based on the true story of John du Pont, a wealthy heir who murdered Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz. The film starred Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo, and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Miller has also directed music videos and commercials. He is currently working on a biopic about the life of Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers).

Miller is married to actress Ashley Olsen. They have two daughters.

Miller has an estimated net worth of $20 million. He has earned his wealth through his successful career as a film director, producer, and screenwriter.

General Info

Full NameBennett Miller
Date Of BirthDecember 30, 1966
ProfessionFilm producer, Film director, Cinematographer
EducationNew York University, Mamaroneck High School
NationalityAmerican

Family

SiblingsTheodore Miller, J.B. Miller

Accomplishments

AwardsIndependent Spirit Special Distinction Award, Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature Film, Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Director, Gotham Independent Film Tribute Award, San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Director, New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best First...
NominationsAcademy Award for Best Director, Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture, BAFTA Award for Best Direction, Golden Bear, Satellite Award for Best Director, Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film, Bodil Award for Best American Film, Natio...
MoviesFoxcatcher, Moneyball, Capote, The Cruise, The Question

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Frequently casts actors in roles that are against type (i.e. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill and Steve Carell)
2Frequently makes films that are true stories (i.e. Capote (2005), Moneyball (2011) and Foxcatcher (2014))

Quotes

#Quote
1[on why his narrative features have all been fact-based] I imagine I'll do non-fact-based films as well, but I'm attracted to stories that are allegorical, but also have a finite, material reality that can be examined. This is one of these stories that I think guards all sorts of truths. If you really stick with it and examine it, it begins to reveal things I can't imagine anybody fabricating. There's something very satisfying about creating cinema within the limitation of true events.
2Some time ago, the classes, the walls, and the barriers separating the classes began to be dissolved, at least in our minds, meaning that there is freedom in opportunity. With that dissolution, I think, comes an anxiety about your station in life, because wherever you are, there is a station above you, and with it now is the understanding that the only thing keeping you from it is not some law or societal construct -it's your own inadequacy if you fail to get there. There are prizes that we are meant to aspire towards. I do think that's part of the American concept.
3[on the tone and style of Foxcatcher] The tone comes from the style of filmmaking, which is more concerned with observing a story instead of telling a story. It is a style that seeks to sensitize you to what is happening beneath the surface because so much goes unexpressed. The style tends to calm and smooth the waters so that you can see deeper. It is a turbulent story but the observing of it is ultra-focused. As far as tone in regards to being funny or serious or whatever else, it seemed to be an appropriate and natural manifestation of this extraordinarily awkward and ultimate tragic relationship.
4Every film, I believe, teaches you how to make that film.
5My nature is to try and look past apparent truths, to pull back layers and understand the psychological motives behind phenomena. A nonfiction subject challenges you, it keeps you honest.
6[on Foxcatcher] In some ways it's a small story, but yet it really felt familiar and it had resonance. For me the more micro you look at it, the bigger it becomes. Within it are themes of wealth, power, class, decline and entitlement... There's a natural human tendency to judge things before we understand them. That simplifies things but deprives us of insights that could be taken from looking more carefully, being unflinching, taking a hard look at something we have an aversion to looking at. This film really wants to stare at the ambiguity of what happens. The discomfort of ambiguity is an essential aspect of the story. It pulls back the bow for a long time. It's not meant to crystallize until the end.
7A film cannot make it into the culture without the support of critics.
8I think the mind has a way of getting to where it needs to get to. If you are persistent.
9I want to work with performers who really are ready to lose their minds, you know? People who are established and have talent, but who are ready to break new ground and really be cracked open in a new way.
10Every relationship probably has, at its inception, a hundred things that you could pick on and divert you from it, but the feeling is there. You figure out a way to make it work.
11Honestly, my smartest business decision was to never do anything that I didn't love doing.
12I don't believe in God in the way I often see described by religion.
13I am attracted to anything that does not feel derivative.
14I think I am missing a gene that most people have to enable them to feel happiness about success and these kind of things.
15I think I approach things with an outsider's perspective.
16For me, personally, the value of a film is not determined by a review, but the health of the film is.
17It's great making a film and having it embraced and seen. I really enjoy that.
18People are attracted to entertainment, for sure, or jokes, excitement and romantically heightened stories that might be false, but are still attractive fantasies.
19My business life is really simple. It's like, get check. Put check in bank. Pay rent. I've never bought a stock in my life. I never got caught up in that trip. And the truth is, I don't obsess about money ever.
20You make a movie and you'd like it to be appreciated, respected, embraced.

Facts

#Fact
1All three of Miller's feature films have received Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Screenplay (Original for Foxcatcher and Capote, Adapted for Moneyball) and either Supporting Actor or Supporting Actress.
2Did not direct a feature film until he was 38 years old.
3Has directed 6 actors to Oscar nominations: Philip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener for Capote (2005); Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill for Moneyball (2011), and Steve Carell, and Mark Ruffalo for Foxcatcher (2014). Hoffman won an Oscar for his work in Capote (2005).
4Friends with author Sarah Vowell and is mentioned numerous times in her book 'Assasination Vacation'.
5Graduated Mamaroneck High School, 1985. Classmate of Dan Futterman.

Pictures

Movies

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
A Christmas Carolannounced
Foxcatcher2014
The Question2012/IDocumentary short
Moneyball2011
Capote2005
The Cruise1998Documentary

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
A Christmas Carolproducer announced
Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang2016Documentary executive producer
Foxcatcher2014producer
The Cruise1998Documentary producer

Cinematographer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Question2012/IDocumentary short
The Cruise1998Documentary photography

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Thompson2009Documentary short equipment

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sand Castle2015/IShort special thanks
Two Night Stand2014the producers wish to thank
Her2013thanks
Billy Beane: Re-Inventing the Game2012Video documentary short special thanks
Where the Wild Things Are2009special thanks
Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey2006Documentary special thanks
Bittersweet Motel2000Documentary special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The 87th Annual Academy Awards2015TV SpecialHimself - Nominee: Best Director
Hollywood Sessions2015TV SeriesHimself
24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards2014TV Movie documentaryHimself - Tributee
60 Minutes2006-2014TV Series documentaryHimself - Director (segment "Steve Carell") / Himself - Director (segment "Philip Seymour Hoffman")
Días de cine2014TV SeriesHimself
Inside the Actors Studio2012TV SeriesHimself - Guest Audience
Adapting 'Moneyball'2012Video documentary shortHimself
Billy Beane: Re-Inventing the Game2012Video documentary shortHimself - Director
Moneyball: Playing the Game2012Video documentary shortHimself
Charlie Rose2006-2011TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Made in Hollywood2011TV SeriesHimself
Making Capote: Concept to Script2006Video documentary shortHimself - Director
Making Capote: Defining a Style2006Video documentary shortHimself - Director
The 78th Annual Academy Awards2006TV SpecialHimself - Nominee: Best Director
Truman Capote: Answered Prayers2006Video documentary shortHimself - Director
Film '722006TV SeriesHimself
The 15th Annual Gotham Awards2005TV SpecialHimself - Recipient

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
60 Minutes2015TV Series documentaryHimself - Director (segment "Steve Carell")

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2015AFI AwardAFI Awards, USAMovie of the YearFoxcatcher (2014)
2015Special Distinction AwardIndependent Spirit AwardsFoxcatcher (2014)
2015Outstanding Director of the Year AwardSanta Barbara International Film FestivalFoxcatcher (2014)
2014Best DirectorCannes Film FestivalFoxcatcher (2014)
2011Hollywood Film AwardHollywood Film AwardsDirector of the YearMoneyball (2011)
2006CFCA AwardChicago Film Critics Association AwardsMost Promising FilmmakerCapote (2005)
2006OFTA Film AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest First FeatureCapote (2005)
2005Gotham Independent Film AwardGotham AwardsBest FeatureCapote (2005)
2005Gotham Independent Film AwardGotham AwardsBreakthrough DirectorCapote (2005)
2005NYFCC AwardNew York Film Critics Circle AwardsBest First FilmCapote (2005)
2005SDFCS AwardSan Diego Film Critics Society AwardsBest DirectorCapote (2005)
2005TFCA AwardToronto Film Critics Association AwardsBest First FeatureCapote (2005)
1999Wolfgang Staudte AwardBerlin International Film FestivalThe Cruise (1998)
1999Don Quixote Award - Special MentionBerlin International Film FestivalThe Cruise (1998)
1998Special Jury AwardNewport International Film Festival, Rhode IslandFeature CompetitionThe Cruise (1998)
1998Audience AwardNewport International Film Festival, Rhode IslandBest DocumentaryThe Cruise (1998)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2016RobertRobert FestivalBest American Film (Årets amerikanske film)Foxcatcher (2014)
2015OscarAcademy Awards, USABest Achievement in DirectingFoxcatcher (2014)
2015IOMAItalian Online Movie Awards (IOMA)Best Picture (Miglior film)Foxcatcher (2014)
2015OFTA Film AwardOnline Film & Television AssociationBest PictureFoxcatcher (2014)
2015PGA AwardPGA AwardsOutstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion PicturesFoxcatcher (2014)
2014ACCAAwards Circuit Community AwardsBest Motion PictureFoxcatcher (2014)
2014Palme d'OrCannes Film FestivalFoxcatcher (2014)
2014Bronze HorseStockholm Film FestivalBest FilmFoxcatcher (2014)
2007BodilBodil AwardsBest American Film (Bedste amerikanske film)Capote (2005)
2007RobertRobert FestivalBest American Film (Årets amerikanske film)Capote (2005)
2006OscarAcademy Awards, USABest Achievement in DirectingCapote (2005)
2006David Lean Award for DirectionBAFTA AwardsCapote (2005)
2006Golden Berlin BearBerlin International Film FestivalCapote (2005)
2006Chlotrudis AwardChlotrudis AwardsBest DirectorCapote (2005)
2006DGA AwardDirectors Guild of America, USAOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion PicturesCapote (2005)
2006OFCS AwardOnline Film Critics Society AwardsBest Breakthrough FilmmakerCapote (2005)
2005ACCAAwards Circuit Community AwardsBest DirectorCapote (2005)
2005Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsOutstanding DirectorCapote (2005)
2000Daring Digital AwardJeonju Film FestivalN-VisionThe Cruise (1998)
1999Golden Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Motion Picture, DocumentaryThe Cruise (1998)

3rd Place Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2006NSFC AwardNational Society of Film Critics Awards, USABest DirectorCapote (2005)
2005DFWFCA AwardDallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association AwardsBest DirectorCapote (2005)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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