Director
Gus Van Sant
Born 24 July 1952 · Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Gus Van Sant is an American director born in Louisville, Kentucky, and based in Portland, Oregon. He moved from Pacific Northwest commercials to become a leading figure in independent cinema, often exploring outsiders and marginalised subcultures. He later moved between Hollywood hits and experimental work.
Key films
Mala Noche (1987)
His low-budget debut feature, which established his independent voice and interest in marginalised lives.
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
Critically acclaimed drama about drug addicts that brought him wide recognition.
My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Landmark of New Queer Cinema starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Major mainstream success that earned him his first Best Director Oscar nomination.
Elephant (2003)
Stark, experimental school-shooting drama that won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
Key awards
- 1998 Academy Award nomination, Best Director (Good Will Hunting)
- 2003 Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival (Elephant)
- 2003 Best Director, Cannes Film Festival (Elephant)
- 2007 60th Anniversary Prize, Cannes Film Festival (Paranoid Park)
- 2009 Academy Award nomination, Best Director (Milk)
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 89
- 1971The Happy OrganDirector
- 1972Little JohnnyDirector
- 19731/2 of a Telephone ConversationDirector
- 1979Psycho ShampooDirector
- 1982The Discipline of D.E.Director
- 1985SwitzerlandDirector
- 1987Mala Noche · as Guy at Hotel (uncredited)Actor
- 1987Mala NocheDirector
- 1987Five Ways to Kill YourselfActor
- 1987My New FriendDirector
- 1987Five Ways to Kill YourselfDirector
- 1988Ken Death Gets Out of JailDirector
- 1988Junior · as HimselfActor
- 1988JuniorDirector
- 1989Drugstore Cowboy · as Himself (uncredited)Actor
- 1989Drugstore CowboyDirector
- 1991My Own Private IdahoDirector
- 1991My Own Private Idaho · as Man Behind Hotel Counter (uncredited)Actor
- 1991Red Hot Chili Peppers - Funky Monks · as SelfActor
- 1991Thanksgiving PrayerDirector
- 1991Flea SingsDirector
- 1993Made in the USA · as SelfActor
- 1994Even Cowgirls Get the BluesDirector
- 1995To Die ForDirector
- 1995Guns on the ClackamasActor
- 1996Four Boys in a VolvoDirector
- 1997Good Will HuntingDirector
- 1997Ballad of the SkeletonsDirector
- 1998PsychoDirector
- 1998Psycho · as Man Talking to Man in Cowboy Hat (uncredited)Actor
- 1998Strange Parallel · as SelfActor
- 1998The Director's Vision: Hollywood's Best Discuss Their Craft · as himselfActor
- 1999Psycho Path · as Self - DirectorActor
- 1999The Making of Drugstore CowboyActor
- 2000Finding Forrester · as Library Assistant (uncredited)Actor
- 2000Finding ForresterDirector
- 2000EasterDirector
- 2000De Witt Clinton ChoirDirector
- 2001Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back · as Gus Van SantActor
- 2001Rescued from the Closet · as SelfActor
- 2002GerryDirector
- 2002David Bowie: Best of BowieDirector
- 2003ElephantDirector
- 2003Saltlake Van Sant · as SelfActor
- 2003About Elephant · as SelfActor
- 2004On the Set of 'Elephant': Rolling Through Time · as HimselfActor
- 2004The Making of Last Days · as HimselfActor
- 2005Last Days · as Phone Voice (voice)Actor
- 2005Last DaysDirector
- 2006Paris Je T'aimeDirector
- 2006Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema · as SelfActor
- 2006Le MaraisDirector
- 2006Cinema16: American Short FilmsDirector
- 2006Best of Chris IsaakDirector
- 2007Paranoid ParkDirector
- 2007Paranoid Park · as Guy Reading Newspaper (uncredited)Actor
- 2007To Each His Own CinemaDirector
- 2007Here’s Looking at You, Boy · as SelfActor
- 2007In the Mood for Doyle · as SelfActor
- 2008MilkDirector
- 2008Critic · as SelfActor
- 20088Director
- 2008Making Paranoid ParkActor
- 2008Mansion on the HillDirector
- 2010William S. Burroughs: A Man Within · as SelfActor
- 2011RestlessDirector
- 2011The Advocate for Fagdom · as SelfActor
- 2011Two Films, One LegacyActor
- 2012Promised LandDirector
- 2012My Own Private RiverDirector
- 2012A Special Day · as SelfActor
- 2012Reflecting on a Journey: Good Will Hunting 15 Years Later · as SelfActor
- 2013The Canyons · as Dr. CampbellActor
- 2015I Don't Belong Anywhere: The Cinema of Chantal Akerman · as SelfActor
- 2015About Cinema · as SelfActor
- 2016The Sea of TreesDirector
- 2016Xavier Dolan: Bound to Impossible · as SelfActor
- 2017Ain't It Funny · as DadActor
- 2018Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot · as Willamette Week EditorActor
- 2018Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on FootDirector
- 2018Illegal Civilization 3 · as SelfActor
- 2018Thank You for Supporting the ArtsActor
- 2019Zeroville · as Film Archive CuratorActor
- 2019At the Video Store · as SelfActor
- 2020Ouverture of Something That Never EndedDirector
- 2023Nicole Kidman: Eyes Wide Open · as Self (interview)Actor
- 2023Andy by GusActor
- 2024The Trainer · as Gus Van SantActor
- 2026Dead Man's WireDirector
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.