Profile: Michael Moore

15 May 2008 10:35am

Real Name: Michael Francis Moore

Birth Date: April 23, 1954

Image: Chunky and outspoken director, writer, producer and political activist

Best Known For: His provocative film Fahrenheit 9/11

Early Life: Michael was born in Flint, Michigan, and was raised a Catholic. He grew up in the city of Davison, where he attended St John's Elementary School and then Davison High School. At high school he was keen on both acting and debating.

After attending the University of Michigan-Flint, where he studied journalism and wrote for the student newspaper, he founded a weekly magazine called The Flint Voice. In 1986, he became the editor of Mother Jones, a liberal political magazine.

He then turned to filmmaking, and to earn the money for the budget of his first film Roger & Me (1989) he ran neighbourhood bingo games.

Career High: Fahrenheit 9/11 was awarded the Palme d'Or, the top honour at the Cannes Film Festival, in 2004 - it was the first documentary film to win the coveted prize since 1956.

In 2003 the filmmaker scooped the Best Documentary Oscar for Bowling For Columbine.

Love Life: Michael has been married to producer Kathleen Glynn since 1991 and they live in New York. Kathleen has a daughter, Natalie.

Don't Mention: Michael was subjected to a barrage of boos as he picked up his Oscar for Bowling For Columbine, after he used his acceptance speech as an opportunity to attack President George Bush over the Iraq war.

Words Of Wisdom: "I don't compromise my values and I don't compromise my work. That's why I've been kicked from one network to the next: I won't give in."

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