Exploring The Life And Career Of Oliver Stone: A Visionary Filmmaker

Oliver Stone is a name that resonates with film enthusiasts around the world. From his impactful films that tackle pressing social issues to his unique storytelling style, Stone has carved a niche for himself in the cinematic universe. He is not just a filmmaker; he is a storyteller who uses his experiences to shape narratives that provoke thought and inspire action. His journey from a Vietnam War veteran to an Oscar-winning director is both fascinating and inspiring.

Born on September 15, 1946, in New York City, Stone's early life was marked by creativity and ambition. His experiences during the Vietnam War significantly influenced his later works, giving him a distinctive voice in the film industry. As we delve into his life and achievements, we will uncover how his personal experiences shaped his artistic vision and led to the creation of some of the most memorable films in Hollywood history.

In this article, we'll explore the various phases of Oliver Stone's life, from his formative years and military service to his groundbreaking films and personal life. We'll also highlight key moments that defined his career and discuss the impact of his work on American cinema and culture.

Who Is Oliver Stone?
Early Life
Famed Filmmaker
Personal Life
Quick Facts
Fact Check
Citation Information
Quotes

Who Is Oliver Stone?

After serving in the Vietnam War, Oliver Stone went to New York University to study film under Martin Scorsese. In 1974, Stone directed his first feature film, Seizure. His 1978 film, Midnight Express, won him an Academy Award for Best-Adapted Screenplay. Over the course of his ongoing career, Stone has directed and written numerous award-winning films, including Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, and Natural Born Killers.

Early Life

William Oliver Stone was born in New York City on September 15, 1946. His father, Louis Stone, was a successful Wall Street stockbroker. His mother, Jacqueline Goddet, a French student, met and married Louis while he was serving in the Army during World War II. Young Oliver showed an early creative flair, writing plays for his family, and he often visited his maternal grandparents in France. He attended Trinity School in Manhattan and The Hill, a boarding school in Pennsylvania.

In 1964, Stone briefly attended Yale University but dropped out after one year. In 1965, he went to Vietnam to teach English at the Free Pacific Institute, a Catholic high school in Saigon. A year later, he signed up with the U.S. Merchant Marine and traveled to Oregon and then Mexico, where he began to write his first novel, A Child's Night Dream (which would be published in 1997).

Stone enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and served in the 25th Infantry Division and later in the 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. He was wounded twice and was awarded a Bronze Star for Gallantry and a Purple Heart.

Famed Filmmaker

Stone had his breakthrough in the film industry when he wrote the screenplay for Midnight Express (1978), directed by Alan Parker. The film was a hit and earned Stone his first Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as a shot at directing a major studio movie, The Hand (1981). Stone's directorial debut was not a success, but he went on to write screenplays for the popular films Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Scarface (1983).

Stone had a hugely successful year in 1986: He directed Salvador, a political drama starring James Woods (for which Woods and Stone were nominated for Oscars), and the Vietnam War drama Platoon, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe. Platoon was a critically acclaimed hit with Berenger and Dafoe receiving Oscar nominations, and Stone winning his first Oscar for directing and the film winning for Best Picture.

Following Platoon was a string of mostly successful, often controversial films: Wall Street (1987), starring Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas (in an Oscar-winning performance); Talk Radio (1988), based on a play and starring Eric Bogosian; and Born on the Fourth of July (1989), which starred Tom Cruise as a challenged war veteran and earned Stone a second Oscar for directing.

Personal Life

Stone has been married three times. He wed Najwa Sarkis on May 22, 1971; the couple divorced six years later, in 1977. He married second wife Elizabeth Burkit Cox on June 6, 1981, with whom he has two sons, Sean and Michael; the two parted ways in 1993. On January 16, 1996, Stone wed his third wife, Sun-jung Jung, with whom he has one daughter, Tara.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Name	Oliver Stone
Birth Year	1946
Birth Date	September 15, 1946
Birth State	New York
Birth City	New York
Birth Country	United States
Gender	Male
Best Known For	Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director
Astrological Sign	Virgo