Michael Moore was born in Flint, Michigan April 23 1954. He studied journalism at the University of Michigan-Flint, but also pursued other hobbies such as Gun shooting, for which he even won a competition. Michael started working as an editor for the journal of the University he attended at the beginning to his journalism career. He then turned to filmmaking, and to earn the money for the budget of his first film "Roger and Me" he ran neighborhood bingo games. He eventually got himself into leading a string of documentaries and TV series all predominantly around the same subject; attacks on politicians and business corporations, getting his opinion around and about. He landed his first big hit with "Bowling for Columbine" about the bad points of the freedom of weapon holding in America, which earned him an Oscar and a big reputation. He then shook the world with his even bigger hit "Farenheit 9/11" - making fun of President George W. Bush. Michael is known for having the guts to give his opinion in public, which not many people are courageous enough to do, and for that is respected by many.
Was arrested during filming of the video "Sleep Now In The Fire" by Rage Against The Machine, protesting Wall Street and the investment of American money overseas (i.e. in hostile and Communist countries). The filming also shut down the New York Stock Exchange early that day when band members tried to enter the floor univited. His favourite films are Wild Strawberries and Taxi Driver. It was announced on March 13, 2002 his book "Stupid White Men...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation", had reached #1 on the New York Times non-fiction list. Briefly served as both editor and columnist for Mother Jones magazine. Raised money for the production of his first film, Roger & Me, by running neighborhood bingo games in his house. Irish-American. Is a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association. Moore told Tim Russert that he joined so as to be elected its president and then dismantle the organization. On the day after his infamous "Oscar Backlash", where he attacked both George W. Bush and the Iraq war, attendance for his movie Bowling for Columbine went up 110%. The following weekend, the box office for the film was up 73%. Throughout his film Bowling for Columbine Moore proudly sports a Michigan State University baseball hat. Has a daughter, Natalie. Lives in New York City. Elected to Davison, Michigan board of education at age 18; this is described and elaborated upon in chapter 5 "Idiot Nation" in his book "Stupid White Men." His movie Fahrenheit 9/11 was shown at the Cannes Film festival, making it the most sought-after movie there. [May 2004] Attended the University of Michigan-Flint in the 1970s. Supported Ralph Nader in the 2000 presidential elections. Although he owns a VW Beetle, he is now said to travel about by chauffered limo. Early in Fahrenheit 9/11 a celebrity-filled rally for Al Gore is shown and Moore (in his narration) refers to Ben Affleck, "Little Stevie" Wonder, and "the guy from Taxi Driver," that "guy" being Robert De Niro. This was perhaps a bit of joke because Taxi Driver is Moore's favorite film and De Niro is one of the actors Moore respects the most. Senator John McCain referred to him as a "disingenuous filmmaker" during his speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Moore, who was present at the convention in the press area, stood and waved both arms at the crowd, which started chanting "four more years!" Moore then flashed a sign language L (for "loser") at the crowd and, according to "The Guardian" newspaper, said, "Two more months!" While the press tried to pit Moore and his Fahrenheit 9/11 against Mel Gibson and his The Passion of the Christ against each other as the representation of "blue" and "red" states in the election year of 2004, the two men get along well personally and find their opposition to be an invention of the press. Actually Moore, a practicing Catholic, loved "Passion" and saw it many times and Gibson, who opposed the invasion of Iraq despite his conservative reputation, greatly enjoyed "Fahrenheit." Another of his favorite films is also his favorite documentary, Hearts and Minds (1974). After the box office failure of "Canadian Bacon", a very depressed Moore briefly contemplated early retirement. However, famous producer rep John Pierson and filmmaker Kevin Smith changed Moore's mind and gave him inspiration during Pierson's "Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes" book tour. Smith could identify with Moore's grief, having just experienced the box office failure of "Mallrats".