Kevin Smith
☼ Born on 2 December 1970, in Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Biography
Kevin Patrick Smith was born in Red Bank but grew up in Highlands, New Jersey, the son of Grace (Schultz) and Donald E. Smith, a postal worker. He is very proud of his native state; this fact can be seen in all of his movies. Kevin is of mostly German, with some Irish and English, ancestry.
His first movie, Clerks (1994), was filmed in the convenience store in which Smith worked. He was only allowed to shoot at night after the store closed. This movie won the highest award at the Sundance film festival and was brought to theaters by Miramax. The movie went over so well that Smith was able to make another movie, Mallrats (1995). This movie, as Kevin has said, was meant to be a "smart Porkys". Although it didn't do well at all in the box office, it has done more than well on video store shelves and is usually the favorite among many Smith fans.
During filming for the movie, Smith met his new close friends and stars of his next movie, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, and his new girlfriend, Joey Lauren Adams. Smith has said that his relationship with Adams has been much of an inspiration for his next movie, Chasing Amy (1997), Smith's comedy drama which won two independent Spirit awards: Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Role (for Jason Lee). Around the time that Chasing Amy (1997) was wrapping, Smith broke up with Adams and, then when the Spirit awards were approaching, he met his soon-to-be wife, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith. After Chasing Amy (1997), Smith started on Dogma (1999), a
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controversial film about Christianity. Around this time, Smith's wife gave birth to their first baby girl, Harley Quinn Smith. Harley Quinn and Jennifer both have roles in Smith's next film,Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001). In this road trip comedy, the cult heroes, Jay and Silent Bob, go on an adventure to stop the production of a movie being made about them, find true love, and save an orangutan.
In 2004, he wrote and directed Jersey Girl (2004), starring Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. Although there were some disappointing reviews and the movie was a disappointment at the box office, Smith says it did alright going up against the "Bennifer Massacre" known as Gigli (2003).
In 2005, Smith wrote the screenplay for Clerks II (2006), which he planned to start shooting in January of 2005. But then he got a call from Susannah Grant, who wanted Smith to audition for her new film. Smith went into the audition and, five minutes after finishing, he got a call saying he got the part. Filming began in January 2005 so Smith had to delay the filming of Clerks II (2006). After Catch and Release (2006) finished filming, Smith shot "Clerks II" in September 2005. After cutting "Clerks II", they submitted it to the Cannes film festival. It got accepted and, at Cannes, it got an 8 minute standing ovation.
In 2006, Smith also got offered a part in the fourth "Die Hard" film, Live Free or Die Hard (2007). Smith got to film a scene with one of his idols, Bruce Willis, the scene was supposed to take one day of filming, it ended up taking a week. In 2007, Smith was also hired to direct the pilot for the show Reaper (2007), which garnered favorable reviews.
In 2007 and 2008, Smith wrote two scripts: a comedy, Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008), and a horror film called Red State (2011). Harvey Weinstein green-lighted "Zack and Miri", based just off the title, although they passed on "Red State", Smith plans to get "Red State" independently funded. Smith filmed "Zack and Miri" with comedy starSeth Rogen. The film did not meet expectations at the box office but got good reviews. It is Smith's highest grossing movie, although he says he was crushed by the disappointing box office of the film.
Smith was offered the chance to direct a film which was written by Robb Cullen and Mark Cullen called Cop Out (2010). Smith accepted, it would be two firsts; the first feature Smith has directed but not written and the first feature of Smith's that Scott Mosier has not produced (Mosier is trying to find a film to direct). Smith hired Bruce Willis for the film.
In the role of actor
Clerks III (22/09/2022)
The directionless convenience store workers decide to make a movie about their lives in Clerks III. Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) are still working in the Quick Stop Convenience Store as they approach their 50s. However, Randal is forced to reflect on his life when he has a near-fatal heart attack. […]
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (16/10/2019)
Jay and Silent Bob once again try to stop the production of a film about themselves in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. While on trial for a routine drug violation, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) accidentally sign away the rights to their name and likeness to Saban Films. They soon learn from […]
Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (16/07/2016)
The ever-changing world of monster special effect is examined in Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex. The love of monsters comes from a deep seeded fear of the unknown, which is with us from our earliest memories. From the early works of Lon Chaney and Jack P. Pierce to the 1980s “rock stars” of Stan Winston, Rick […]
Tusk (05/10/2014)
Kevin Smith makes a return to filmmaking with the twisted horror-comedy Tusk. Wallace Bryton (Justin Long) is the host of a podcast called “Not See Party,” where he and his friend Teddy Craft (Haley Joel Osment) ridicule weird individuals. Wallace travels to Winnipeg to interview an internet celebrity, but is shocked to find out that […]
The Rep (23/05/2013)
In today’s world of the digital downloading and streaming, the concept of a repertory cinema probably sounds quite weird. It is a cinema, in which the sole purpose is to play old films that you have likely already seen. Most people would take a look at rep cinemas and ask “Why should I go this […]
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope (21/04/2012)
Morgan Spurlock is best known for making “infotainment” documentaries, where he is usually on camera as the subject, in addition to being the director (i.e. Super Size Me and last year’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold). However, with his latest documentary about the San Diego Comic-Con, Spurlock is neither seen nor heard and he lets […]
The Green Hornet (16/01/2011)
I never ever watched The Green Hornet TV series (with the exception of the character crossing over to the Batman series, which was by the same producers) and I only really knew the basics of the character. In fact, it was only recently that I found out that the character began as a 1930s radio […]
Cop Out (28/02/2010)
This is undoubtedly the most mainstream film Kevin Smith has directed. Instead of the dialogue-heavy films he is usually known for, this buddy cop action/comedy. I’ll probably say that is far from the funniest of Smith’s films, with the funniest material appearing towards the beginning. However, I do think the film is old with its […]
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (01/11/2008)
I don’t really know how to start this. Kevin Smith‘s films are usually crude, but for the most part it was just in the dialogue. This film gets a bit more….visual, and I have to admit that it was slightly distracting (this film is definitely NOT wholesome family entertainment). However, I also thought the film […]
Pineapple Express (08/08/2008)
You can definitely say that Seth Rogen has become a big start in a very short period. It has been only three years, since he had his first real prominent film role in The 40 Year Old Virgin. Pineapple Express mixes a stoner comedy with an action film. Like last year’s Superbad, it was written […]
Live Free or Die Hard (01/07/2007)
I had to do a lot of preparation before going to see this, the forth movie in the Die Hard series. Specifically, I had to see the other three movies. I purchased the box set on Monday and watched the films throughout the week, so I would be all caught up on the adventures of […]
In the role of director
Clerks III (22/09/2022)
The directionless convenience store workers decide to make a movie about their lives in Clerks III. Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) are still working in the Quick Stop Convenience Store as they approach their 50s. However, Randal is forced to reflect on his life when he has a near-fatal heart attack. […]
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (16/10/2019)
Jay and Silent Bob once again try to stop the production of a film about themselves in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. While on trial for a routine drug violation, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) accidentally sign away the rights to their name and likeness to Saban Films. They soon learn from […]
Another WolfCop (12/12/2017)
The lycanthrope police officer returns to duty in Another WolfCop. Sometime after the events of the previous film, officer Lou Garou ( Leo Fafard) continues to enact vigilante justice as WolfCop, while Tina (Amy Matysio) is now chief of the Woodhaven sheriff’s department. After eviscerating a group of thugs, Lou is unexpectedly reunited with local conspiracy […]
The Disaster Artist (02/12/2017)
The story behind the making of the infamous “so bad, it’s good” cult classic The Room is told in The Disaster Artist. Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) is an aspiring actor living in San Francisco. During an acting class in 1998, Greg meets the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) and is struck by his fearless stage presence. They two […]
Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (16/07/2016)
The ever-changing world of monster special effect is examined in Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex. The love of monsters comes from a deep seeded fear of the unknown, which is with us from our earliest memories. From the early works of Lon Chaney and Jack P. Pierce to the 1980s “rock stars” of Stan Winston, Rick […]
Tusk (05/10/2014)
Kevin Smith makes a return to filmmaking with the twisted horror-comedy Tusk. Wallace Bryton (Justin Long) is the host of a podcast called “Not See Party,” where he and his friend Teddy Craft (Haley Joel Osment) ridicule weird individuals. Wallace travels to Winnipeg to interview an internet celebrity, but is shocked to find out that […]
Odd Thomas – Toronto After Dark 2013 (22/10/2013)
Stephen Sommers (The Mummy) directs this adaptation of the best selling novel by Dean Koontz. Odd Thomas (Anton Yelchin) is a man with the psychic ability to see ghosts around him. Odd often uses these abilities to help Police Chief Wyatt Porter (Willem Dafoe) to solve murders around the town. One day, Odd sees a […]
We Are What We Are – Toronto After Dark 2013 (18/10/2013)
The opening gala film of the 8th annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival comes from director Jim Mickle, who previously directed the films Mulberry Street, which opened the festival in 2007, and Stake Land, which won the TIFF Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award in 2010. The film focuses on two sisters, who are are struggling […]
The Rep (23/05/2013)
In today’s world of the digital downloading and streaming, the concept of a repertory cinema probably sounds quite weird. It is a cinema, in which the sole purpose is to play old films that you have likely already seen. Most people would take a look at rep cinemas and ask “Why should I go this […]
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope (21/04/2012)
Morgan Spurlock is best known for making “infotainment” documentaries, where he is usually on camera as the subject, in addition to being the director (i.e. Super Size Me and last year’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold). However, with his latest documentary about the San Diego Comic-Con, Spurlock is neither seen nor heard and he lets […]
Red State (with Kevin Smith Q&A) (16/08/2011)
Last night, I went to see a screening of Red State at the Toronto Underground cinema, which was followed by a lengthy Q&A by director Kevin Smith. The film is much different that Kevin Smith’s other films in how it is definitely not a comedy (even though there are still funny lines in the film). The […]
The Green Hornet (16/01/2011)
I never ever watched The Green Hornet TV series (with the exception of the character crossing over to the Batman series, which was by the same producers) and I only really knew the basics of the character. In fact, it was only recently that I found out that the character began as a 1930s radio […]
The Other Guys (08/08/2010)
Of the two buddy cop movies to be released this year, I am inclined to say that I prefer Cop Out to this one. While the critics absolutely loathed Kevin Smith‘s film, at least it had a clear intention what it was out to do. As for The Other Guys, I am still trying to […]
Cop Out (28/02/2010)
This is undoubtedly the most mainstream film Kevin Smith has directed. Instead of the dialogue-heavy films he is usually known for, this buddy cop action/comedy. I’ll probably say that is far from the funniest of Smith’s films, with the funniest material appearing towards the beginning. However, I do think the film is old with its […]
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (01/11/2008)
I don’t really know how to start this. Kevin Smith‘s films are usually crude, but for the most part it was just in the dialogue. This film gets a bit more….visual, and I have to admit that it was slightly distracting (this film is definitely NOT wholesome family entertainment). However, I also thought the film […]
Pineapple Express (08/08/2008)
You can definitely say that Seth Rogen has become a big start in a very short period. It has been only three years, since he had his first real prominent film role in The 40 Year Old Virgin. Pineapple Express mixes a stoner comedy with an action film. Like last year’s Superbad, it was written […]