Spike Jonze

Throughout his varied career, Spike Jonze quickly established himself as a director whose remarkable vision and prolific output led to creating some of the most memorable films and music videos of his day. Jonze started off as a music video director credited with popular takes on the Beastie Boy's "Sabotage" (1994) and Weezer's "Buddy Holly" (1994), which deftly incorporated a "Happy Days" theme and actual show footage. While keeping his feet firmly planted in the music video world, he ventured into feature films; first as an actor in "The Game" (1997) and "Three Kings" (1999), then as a director with the strikingly original "Being John Malkovich" (1999), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Taking a turn toward the outrageous, he helped create the cult favorite, "Jackass" (MTV, 2000-02), which earned public condemnation for its depiction of dangerous, but hilarious stunts. Returning to narrative filmmaking, Jonze helmed the inspired "Adaptation" (2002), a wildly original, offbeat and entertaining dramedy that confirmed Jonze as a truly visionary filmmaker worthy of the highest accolades.