The American film actor, the youngest winner of the Academy Award, Richard Dreyfuss, was born on October 29, 1947 in the legendary New York area, Brooklyn. The densely populated borough, located on Coney Island, promised the future actor an unforgettable childhood, but soon after his birth the family moved to the city of Queens.
Richard Dreyfus: biography
The boy's father, Norman Dreyfuss, was a lawyer, and also engaged in the restaurant business. Mother, Geraldine Dreyfuss, engaged in social activities and was a member of the American pacifists. My father did not like New York and America as a whole. Therefore, when Richard Dreyfuss grew up, the family moved to Europe. However, there Norman did not find a worthy application. A few years after futile attempts to establish themselves in European society, the Dreyfuss returned to the United States and settled in Los Angeles. And, presumably, proximity to Hollywood, the center of world cinema, played a role in the fate of Richard.
Meanwhile, young Dreyfuss had time to go to school. He was admitted to the elite High School in Beverly Hills. A diligent Jewish boy immediately liked the teachers. He studied well, took part in the activities of the Center for Jewish Culture, and when Richard was fifteen, he was already waiting for a debut on local television.
Carier start
In 1963, the young man entered the University of California at Northridge, but only studied for one year, after which he volunteered to serve in a military hospital in a suburb of Los Angeles, where the wounded were brought from Vietnam. Along with volunteering, Richard Dreyfuss acted in films, participated in the creation of the comedy series Gidget, the sitcom This Girl, the comedy My Wife Charmed Me, and a soap opera called Peyton Place. In addition to comedies, the actor played in the Big Valley Western.
Meeting the stars
In 1972, Richard Dreyfuss appeared in the theatrical production "The Time of Your Life" based on a play by William Saroyan. The performance gathered a lot of movie stars of Hollywood of the first magnitude, among whom were Henry Fonda, Jane Alexander, Ron Thompson, Gloria Graham, Strozer Martin. Also, Richard Dreyfuss starred with Dustin Hoffman in the comedy "Graduate" directed by Mike Nichols. True, the role was episodic and consisted of only one remark: "We need to call the police!"
Not much more was said by the character of Dreyfuss in the movie "Valley of the Dolls" directed by Mark Robson. But in the film by John Milius, which appeared on the screen in 1974, Richard played Little Nelson, a very colorful character in the gangster action movie Dillinger.
Positive reviews from critics
Dreyfuss' next work in the movie was the lead role in a George Lucas movie called "American Graffiti." On the set, Richard met with Harrison Ford and Ron Howard, who favored a novice but already successful actor. For participation in the film "Discipleship of Duddy Krevits" directed by director Ted Kotcheff Dreyfuss received warm reviews from leading film critics.
Popularity
In 1975, the actor starred in the blockbuster Steven Spielberg "Jaws." Thanks to this picture, which has become popular around the world, Richard was truly famous. The role of expert oceanographer Matt Hooper is called one of the best in his acting career. Richard Dreyfus, whose photographs were full of newspapers and magazines, became famous in one part. A new star has risen in the sky of Hollywood.
In 1977, Richard met again with Stephen Spielberg on the set, this time in the science fiction film "Close Encounters of the Third Degree." A year later, Dreyfuss starred in the melodramatic film "Goodbye, Dear", where he played the main role. Richard's character was an unsuccessful actor Elliot Garfield.
First Oscar
For this film, directed by Herbert Ross, Richard Dreyfuss received the Academy Award. At that time he was 30 years old, and he became the youngest laureate of this honorary prize. Richard remained a record holder until 2003, when the young actor Andrian Brody won the Academy Award .
Filmography
During his career in cinema, Dreyfuss starred in forty-five films of various genres. The plots were mainly of a comedic-melodramatic orientation, but among them there are also militants. Richard Dreyfuss, whose films have often been nominated for various awards, has a rare versatile role. The actor easily transforms and can play both comedic characters and heroes of fantastic action movies.
The following is a sample list of films featuring Richard Dreyfus:
- "Graduate" (1967).
- Dillinger (1973).
- American Graffiti (1973).
- Jaws (1975).
- "Goodbye, dear" (1977);
- Close Encounters of the Third Degree (1977).
- The Big Scam (1978).
- Othello (1979).
- The Match (1980).
- The Nuts (1987).
- "Tracking" (1987).
- "Aluminum Men" (1987).
- "Always" (1989).
- "Do not care" (1989).
- "Another Circle" (1991).
We hope that Dreyfuss will still please us with his game.