Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1952, Gus Van Sant studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, and moved to Portland, Oregon, which provided the setting for many films. Mala Noche (1986), Drugstore Cowboy (1989) and My Own Private Idaho (1991) are lyrical stories of drifters, addicts and street hustlers, and My Own Private Idaho launched River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. His commercial hit Good Will Hunting (1997) was followed by a series of experimental films about death and youth, Gerry, Elephant (2003), which won the Palme d'Or, and Last Days. Milk (2008) was a biopic of Harvey Milk.
Filmography
- Mala Noche (1986)
- Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
- My Own Private Idaho (1991)
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Elephant (2003)
- Milk (2008)