David Fincher was born in 1962 in Denver, Colorado, and was raised in Marin County, California. When he was 18 years old, he went to work for John Korty at Korty Films in Mill Valley. He subsequently worked at ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) from 1981 - 1983. Fincher left ILM to direct TV commercials and music videos after signing with N. Lee Lacy in Hollywood. He went on to found Propaganda in 1987 with fellow directors Dominic Sena, Greg Gold and Nigel Dick. Fincher has directed TV commercials for clients that include: Nike, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Heinekin, Pepsi, Levi's, Converse, AT & T, and Chanel. He has directed music videos for: Madonna, Sting, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, George Michael, Iggy Pop, The Wallflowers, Billy Idol, Stevie Winwood, The Motels and, most recently, A Perfect Circle.

As a film director, he has achieved huge success with Se7en, Fight Club and, most recently, Panic Room, which achieved one of the biggest ever opening grosses in the USA.


Lived for several years in Ashland, Oregon and graduated from Ashland High School. Has been close friends with Brad Pitt ever since working together on Se7en (1995). Was originally set to direct Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991), but dropped out. Was originally considered to direct Spider-Man (2002). Turned down the offer to direct Catch Me If You Can (2002), opting to do Panic Room (2002) instead. Turned down the offer to direct 8MM (1999), opting to do Fight Club (1999) instead. Daughter, Phelix Imogen Fincher (b. 25 April 1994), with Donya Fiorentino. He works frequently with screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker. In 2005, he directed the video for Nine Inch Nails' "Only". Ten years earlier, he used Coil's version of the Nine Inch Nails' song "Closer" during the opening credits montage of his film Se7en (1995). Was originally considered to direct Hannibal (2001). At the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, three out of four nominees for Best Direction in a Video - "The End of the Innocence" by Don Henley, "Janie's Got a Gun" by Aerosmith, and "Vogue" by Madonna - were directed by him ("Vogue" won.).