Wesley Wales "Wes" Anderson (born May 1, 1969) is an American
film director,
screenwriter,
actor, and
producer of
features,
short films and
commercials. He was nominated for a 2001
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for
The Royal Tenenbaums. Anderson has been called an auteur, as he is involved in every aspect of his films' production. His films employ a similar aesthetic, employing a deliberate, methodical cinematography, with mostly primary colors. His soundtracks feature early folk and rock music. Anderson's films combine dry humor with poignant portrayals of flawed characters – often a mix of the wealthy and the working class. He is also known for working with many of the same actors and crew on varying projects.
Personal life
The second of three brothers, Anderson was born in
Houston, Texas. His father, Melver Leonard Anderson, worked in advertising and currently owns a public relations firm in Houston; his mother, Texas Ann Burroughs, a former archaeologist, is now a real estate agent and was the inspiration for Etheline Tenenbaum in
The Royal Tenenbaums.