Biography for
Darren Aronofsky More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

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Mini Biography

Darren Aronofsky was born February 12, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, Darren was always artistic: he loved classic movies and, as a teenager, he even spent time doing graffiti art. After high school, Darren went to Harvard University to study film (both live-action and animation). He won several film awards after completing his senior thesis film, "Supermarket Sweep", starring Sean Gullette, which went on to becoming a National Student Academy Award finalist. Aronofsky didn't make a feature film until five years later, in February 1996, where he began creating the concept for Pi (1998). After Darren's script for Pi (1998) received great reactions from friends, he began production. The film re-teamed Aronofsky with Gullette, who played the lead. This went on to further successes, such as Requiem for a Dream (2000) and, most recently, the American remake of the Japanese film series "Kozure okami" (1973) (aka "Lone Wolf & Cub").

Trade Mark

Frequently uses a technique known as the hip-hop montage, which is a sequence of images or actions shown in fast-motion with accompanying sound effects, usually shown to simulate a certain action, such as taking drugs.

Fade to white for emphasis, a break in the story, or an end of an Act/Section in the story.

Use of sounds to objects that are not always seen on screen (i.e., a train horn, or slurping liquid).

Uses a string instrument and techno beat combination for the soundtrack to his films.

Use of the Snorricam (a camera device that is rigged to the body of the actor).

Features scores by Clint Mansell

Trivia

Attended Harvard University.

Attended Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York. Marisa Tomei also attended this high school, but graduated earlier.

Attended the American Film Institute.

Frequently casts Sean Gullette.

Engaged to British actress Rachel Weisz.

Named among Fade In magazine's 100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know in 2005.

During 2001/2002, he was attached to direct and co-write a screen adaption of Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One". Darren's co-writer was, of course, Frank Miller, who had also written "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" and the "Sin City" graphic novels.

2004: Lives in New York with actress Rachel Weisz.

He and his fiancée, Rachel Weisz, became the parents of a boy Henry Chance, on May 31st 2006.

His first computer was a TRS-80.

Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001.

His parents and the parents of Vicki Roberts are neighbors; they live one house away from each other in a private community in Florida.

Turned down the offer to direct Batman Begins (2005).

Personal Quotes

I try to live my life where I end up at a point where I have no regrets. So I try to choose the road that I have the most passion on because then you can never really blame yourself for making the wrong choices. You can always say you're following your passion.

There's always been a lot of pressure and tension on the line. If Pi (1998) didn't work out, I have no idea what my career would be. I don't think I would have gotten another shot at it. If Requiem for a Dream (2000) didn't work out, they would have called me a "one-hit wonder with a sophomore slump".

To me, watching a movie is like going to an amusement park. My worst fear is making a film that people don't think is a good ride.

[on casting The Wrestler (2008)] No one believed in Mickey Rourke... He has no value as a commodity. Well, I sat with him and looked into his eyes. His eyes aren't dead. They're alive, yearning, thinking.

[on Mickey Rourke] When you meet him, he has all this armour on him, but that's because inside he's soft as jelly and he has such a big heart. Technically, he's an incredible actor and completely in control of his craft.

I walked out of The Matrix (1999) and I was thinking, 'What kind of science fiction movie can people make now?' The Wachowski Brothers (directors Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski) took all the great sci-fi ideas of the 20th century and rolled them into a delicious pop culture sandwich that everyone on the planet devoured.

Salary

Where Are They Now

(December 2002) Working on _Batman: Year One (2003)_ with Frank Miller.

(March 2004) Currently working on _Lone Wolf and Cub (2008)_.

(July 2006) Completed The Fountain (2006), working on "Flicker" and "Lone Wolf and Cub" scripts.

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