Gus Van Sant
Biography
Gus Van Sant is an American director, screenwriter, painter, photographer, musician, and author born on July 24, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky. His early career involved directing television commercials in the Pacific Northwest. As a film director, Van Sant has explored themes concerning homosexuality and other marginalized subcultures. His filmography includes adaptations of novels, such as Tom Robbins' Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, which features a diverse cast. Van Sant has received recognition for his work, including nominations for Achievement in Directing for his films Good Will Hunting and Milk, and a Palme d'Or at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival for Elephant. He resides in Portland, Oregon.
Career overview
Gus Van Sant is an American director. He was born on July 24, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Van Sant's early career involved directing television commercials in the Pacific Northwest. He later transitioned to film, where he focused on themes concerning marginalized subcultures, including homosexuality.
Van Sant has written and directed several films, including an adaptation of Tom Robbins' novel Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. This film features a diverse cast. He has also directed other notable films, such as Good Will Hunting, Milk, and Elephant. The latter earned him the Palme d'Or at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. Van Sant's work has been recognized for its exploration of themes and subcultures often overlooked in mainstream media.
Van Sant's filmography as a writer and director spans multiple projects, showcasing his versatility and commitment to exploring underrepresented subjects. His work has been notable for its portrayal of diverse characters and experiences. As a director, Van Sant has established himself as a prominent figure in the film industry, with a career spanning various genres and themes.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
160 titles- Dead Man's Wire (2026) Director
- The Trainer (2024) as Gus Van Sant
- Andy by Gus (2023)
- Andy by Gus (2023) Music
- Nicole Kidman: Eyes Wide Open (2023) as Self (interview)
- Joe Gives Up and Moves to Montana (2021) Producer
- Ouverture Of Something That Never Ended (2020) Creator
- Ouverture of Something That Never Ended (2020) Director
- Ouverture of Something That Never Ended (2020) Writer
- Zeroville (2019) as Film Archive Curator
- At the Video Store (2019) as Self
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) as Willamette Week Editor
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) Director
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) Editor
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) Screenplay
- Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018) Story
- Age Out (2018) Executive Producer
- Illegal Civilization 3 (2018) as Self
- Thank You for Supporting the Arts (2018)
- FEUD (2017) Executive Producer
- FEUD (2017) Director
- When We Rise (2017) Executive Producer
- When We Rise (2017) Director
- Ain't It Funny (2017) as Dad
- Certain Women (2016) Thanks
- The Sea of Trees (2016) Director
- Xavier Dolan: Bound to Impossible (2016) as Self
- I Don't Belong Anywhere: The Cinema of Chantal Akerman (2015) as Self
- I Am Michael (2015) Executive Producer
- About Cinema (2015) as Self
- Strutter (2013) Thanks
- The Canyons (2013) as Dr. Campbell
- A Special Day (2012) as Self
- The Greatest Event in Television History (2012) as Self
- Promised Land (2012) Director
- Promised Land (2012) Executive Producer
- Laurence Anyways (2012) Executive Producer
- My Own Private River (2012) Director
- Reflecting On A Journey: Good Will Hunting 15 Years Later (2012) as Self
- Portlandia (2011) as Gus Van Sant
- Boss (2011) Executive Producer
- Boss (2011) Director
- The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011) as Self
- Restless (2011) Director
- Restless (2011) Producer
- Two Films, One Legacy (2011)
- The Advocate for Fagdom (2011) as Self
- I'm Still Here (2010) Thanks
- Shit Year (2010) Thanks
- Howl (2010) Executive Producer
- Virginia (2010) Executive Producer
- William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010) as Self
- Accidents Happen (2009) Thanks
- Milk (2008) Director
- Milk (2008) Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- 8 (2008) Director
- 8 (2008) Editor
- Critic (2008) as Self
- Mansion on the Hill (2008) Director
- Making Paranoid Park (2008)
- Paranoid Park (2007) as Guy Reading Newspaper (uncredited)
- Paranoid Park (2007) Screenplay
- Paranoid Park (2007) Director
- Paranoid Park (2007) Editor
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) Director
- In the Mood for Doyle (2007) as Self
- Here’s Looking at You, Boy (2007) as Self
- Paris Je T'aime (2006) Director
- Paris Je T'aime (2006) Writer
- Le Marais (2006) Writer
- Le Marais (2006) Director
- Wild Tigers I Have Known (2006) Executive Producer
- Best of Chris Isaak (2006) Director
- Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006) as Self
- Cinema16: American Short Films (2006) Director
- Last Days (2005) as Phone Voice (voice)
- Last Days (2005) Director
- Last Days (2005) Screenplay
- Last Days (2005) Editor
- Entourage (2004) as Gus Van Sant
- Leçon de Cinéma (2004) as Self
- The Making of Last Days (2004) as Himself
- On the Set of 'Elephant': Rolling Through Time (2004) as Himself
- On the Set of 'Elephant': Rolling Through Time (2004) Executive Producer
- Elephant (2003) Screenplay
- Elephant (2003) Editor
- Elephant (2003) Director
- Saltlake Van Sant (2003) as Self
- Tarnation (2003) Executive Producer
- About Elephant (2003) as Self
- Gerry (2002) Editor
- Gerry (2002) Director
- Gerry (2002) Writer
- David Bowie: Best of Bowie (2002) Director
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) as Gus Van Sant
- Rescued from the Closet (2001) as Self
- Finding Forrester (2000) as Library Assistant (uncredited)
- Finding Forrester (2000) Director
- De Witt Clinton Choir (2000) Director
- Easter (2000) Director
- Psycho Path (1999) as Self - Director
- Psycho Path (1999) Executive Producer
- Speedway Junky (1999) Executive Producer
- The Making of Drugstore Cowboy (1999)
- Psycho (1998) as Man Talking to Man in Cowboy Hat (uncredited)
- Psycho (1998) Producer
- Psycho (1998) Director
- The Director's Vision: Hollywood's Best Discuss Their Craft (1998) as himself
- Strange Parallel (1998) as Self
- Good Will Hunting (1997) Director
- Good Will Hunting (1997) Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- Ballad of the Skeletons (1997) Writer
- Ballad of the Skeletons (1997) Director
- Four Boys in a Volvo (1996) Director
- Kids (1995) Executive Producer
- To Die For (1995) Director
- Guns on the Clackamas (1995)
- Hi Octane (1994) as Self
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994) Director
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994) Writer
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994) Editor
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994) Executive Producer
- Made in the USA (1993) as Self
- My Own Private Idaho (1991) as Man Behind Hotel Counter (uncredited)
- My Own Private Idaho (1991) Director
- My Own Private Idaho (1991) Screenplay
- Thanksgiving Prayer (1991) Director
- Thanksgiving Prayer (1991) Producer
- Flea Sings (1991) Director
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Funky Monks (1991) as Self
- Drugstore Cowboy (1989) as Himself (uncredited)
- Drugstore Cowboy (1989) Director
- Drugstore Cowboy (1989) Screenplay
- Junior (1988) as Himself
- Junior (1988) Director
- Ken Death Gets Out of Jail (1988) Director
- Mala Noche (1987) as Guy at Hotel (uncredited)
- Mala Noche (1987) Director
- Mala Noche (1987) Screenplay
- Mala Noche (1987) Producer
- Mala Noche (1987) Editor
- My New Friend (1987) Director
- Five Ways to Kill Yourself (1987)
- Five Ways to Kill Yourself (1987) Director
- Five Ways to Kill Yourself (1987) Writer
- Switzerland (1985) Director
- The Discipline of D.E. (1982) Director
- Property (1979) Sound
- Psycho Shampoo (1979) Director
- 1/2 of a Telephone Conversation (1973) Director
- Little Johnny (1972) Director
- The Happy Organ (1971) Director
- Nightmare Typhoon as Gus
- Nightmare Typhoon Director
- Last Days Original Film Writer
- Killing Gawker Director
- Untitled Hoyt Richards Film Director
- Explain it Like I’m Five Director
- My Friend Director
- Antinous Producer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gus Van Sant best known for?
Gus Van Sant is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Dead Man's Wire (2026), Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018), Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018), Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018).
When and where was Gus Van Sant born?
Gus Van Sant was born on July 24, 1952 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
How many credits does Gus Van Sant have?
Gus Van Sant has accumulated over 160 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2026.
What is Gus Van Sant's background in cinema and television?
Gus Van Sant is an American director, screenwriter, painter, photographer, musician, and author born on July 24, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky. His early career involved directing television commercials in the Pacific Northwest. As a film director, Van Sant has explored themes concerning homosexuality and other margina...