James Cameron

Director1 list appearance

Historical Milestone: Only director in cinema history to direct three films grossing over $2 Billion (*Avatar* [$2.92B], *Avatar: The Way of Water* [$2.32B], *Titanic* [$2.26B]); solo reached Challenger Deep (10,908m) Fullerton College & Truck Driving: Studied physics at Fullerton College in California before dropping out in 1974. Worked as a machinist and school bus/truck driver while spending nights at the USC library photocopying doctoral theses on optical printing and special effects. After watching *Star Wars* in 1977, quit truck driving to pursue filmmaking, working for Roger Corman's New World Pictures. Terminator to Avatar ($8B+ Total Gross): Wrote and directed *The Terminator* (1984), *Aliens* (1986), *The Abyss* (1989), *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991, pioneering CGI liquid metal), and *True Lies* (1994). Directed *Titanic* (1997), tying the all-time record of 11 Academy Awards (winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing). Engineered 3D Fusion Camera systems for *Avatar* (2009, #1 highest-grossing film of all time at $2.92B) and *Avatar: The Way of Water* (2022, $2.32B). Deep-Sea Exploration & Family: Completed 33 dives to the *RMS Titanic* wreck. On 26 March 2012, piloted the custom submersible *Deepsea Challenger* solo to the bottom of the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep (35,787 feet / 10,908 meters), becoming the first person to reach Earth's deepest point alone. Married five times (including director Kathryn Bigelow and actress Linda Hamilton); currently married to Suzy Amis Cameron since 2000; four children. Owns vast organic agricultural estates in New Zealand, obtaining New Zealand residency.

Frequently Ranked Alongside James Cameron

Christopher Nolan

1 shared list

Zack Snyder

1 shared list

Tim Burton

1 shared list

Wes Anderson

1 shared list

Ridley Scott

1 shared list

M. Night Shyamalan

1 shared list

Terrence Malick

1 shared list

Guy Ritchie

1 shared list