Adam Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze, is an American filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work spans films, commercials, music videos, skateboard videos, and television. Jonze began his career as a teenager photographing BMX riders and skateboarders for Freestylin’ Magazine and Transworld Skateboarding.
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Table of Contents
Spike Jonze Net Worth
Spike Jonze has a net worth of $50 million. Jonze directed the Beastie Boys Story: As Told by Michael Diamond & Adam Horovitz stage show, held in Philadelphia and Brooklyn for three nights in 2019,
where the band’s two surviving members shared the story of the Beastie Boys and their friendship. A feature-length documentary, Beastie Boys Story, was also directed by Jonze and includes footage from the shows.
Early Life
Adam Spiegel was born on October 22, 1969, in New York City, the son of Arthur H. Spiegel III and Sandra L. Granzow. His father was of German Jewish ancestry. Jonze is the great-grandson of Arthur Spiegel and the great-great-grandson of Joseph Spiegel, founder of the Spiegel catalog.
Arthur H. Spiegel III founded a healthcare consulting firm. Jonze’s parents divorced when he was a child, and his father remarried. Jonze was raised by his mother in Bethesda, Maryland, where she worked in public relations, along with his brother Sam “Squeak E. Clean” Spiegel.
Career
Adam Spiegel was born on October 22, 1969, in New York City, the son of Arthur H. Spiegel III and Sandra L. Granzow. His father was of German Jewish ancestry. Jonze is the great-grandson of Arthur Spiegel and the great-great-grandson of Joseph Spiegel, founder of the Spiegel catalog.
Arthur H. Spiegel III founded a healthcare consulting firm. Jonze’s parents divorced when he was a child, and his father remarried. Jonze was raised by his mother in Bethesda, Maryland, where she worked in public relations, along with his brother Sam “Squeak E. Clean” Spiegel.
Personal Life
While working for BMX publications in California, Jonze met several professional skateboarders who shared ramps with BMX pros.
He formed a close friendship with Mark Gonzales, co-owner of Blind Skateboards, and began photographing the Blind team—including Jason Lee, Guy Mariano, and Rudy Johnson—in the late 1980s. Jonze soon became a regular contributor to Transworld Skateboarding.
Why did Spike Jonze stop making movies?
Spike Jonze stepped back from filmmaking for a time because he was focused on launching Viceland, a 24-hour cable channel. As the acclaimed director of Her and Being John Malkovich, Jonze took on a leading role in the project, overseeing development, production, and brand identity, which shifted his attention away from making movies.
Conclusion
Spike Jonze’s journey from a magazine photographer to a celebrated filmmaker and creative polymath is a testament to his relentless innovation and artistic vision. With a diverse portfolio of projects and a substantial net worth, Jonze continues to influence the world of entertainment and art.
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FAQs about Spike Jonze
- What awards has Spike Jonze won?
- Jonze has won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Her” and numerous other accolades throughout his career.
- What was Spike Jonze’s directorial debut?
- His directorial debut in feature films was “Being John Malkovich” in 1999.
- Has Spike Jonze acted in any films?
- Yes, he has appeared in films such as “Three Kings” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
- What music videos has Spike Jonze directed?
- Jonze has directed iconic music videos for artists like Beastie Boys, Fatboy Slim, and Weezer.
- What is Spike Jonze’s real name?
- His birth name is Adam Spiegel. He adopted the nickname “Spike Jonze” in his early career.
