Tuesday, July 7, 2009

TheTVObserver: Shia LaBeouf


TheTVObserver's Movie Report in association with StarSpread presents Shia LaBeouf, okay the name is very interesting and we have discovered what it means. LaBeouf caught our eye on Constantine but it was only on Transformers,that we realized, he is a good investment when choosing which movie to watch.

Many young talents in Hollywood dream of being cast in a blockbuster movie and working with accomplished directors and producers. Shia LaBeouf is no different to those hopeful newcomers. What made him different from the rest though is that at the considerable young age of 21, he has made his dream a reality, starring in a movie produced by Stephen Spielberg, "Disturbia" (2007), and being the lead man in the blockbuster movie, "Transformers" (2007). Though his days of growing up were far from picture perfect, this aspiring actor's quick-rise to stardom didn't sweep his feet off the ground nor make him big-headed. When being asked what it's like to be a celebrity, he humbly answered, "I'll tell you when I become one."

Born on June 11, 1986 in Los Angeles, California, Shia Saide LaBeouf is the only child of a Jewish mother, Shayna Saide, and a Cajun father, Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf. His mother was a ballerina turned jewelry designer, while his father was a recovering drug addict who made a living from being a mime and clown. He was raised in the mainly Latino working-class neighborhood, Echo Park and studied at a predominantly African-American school.

His father didn't have one fix job and was on drugs. Even worse, his parents eventually divorced leaving him to live with his mother. Being poor and ultimately broke, LaBeouf promised to have a better life from early age. At the age of 10 due to financial decision, this comic actor, who loves to create story lines and fictitious tales, started to do stand-up comedy around his neighborhood. "My thing was the 50-year-old mouth on the 10-year-old body," LaBeouf excitedly explained when asked about that gig. A year later, knowing that he couldn't get even further than comedy club in Pasadena, California, he looked for an agent through yellow pages, called them and did his routine. His bold move was paid off since his agent was impressed by his effort and signed him in.

Since then, he and his agent ventured from one audition to another. Before long, he landed himself guest roles in various award winning TV series, like the Emmy Award winning sitcom "Caroline in the City" in 1998, the CBS' drama series "Touched by an Angel" in 1999, the science fiction series "The X Files" also in 1999, and the drama comedy series "Freaks and Geeks" in 2000. Due to his hectic schedule of filming and the fact that he is determined to build his career in entertainment industry, LaBeouf received most of high school education from tutors, whereas he officially registered as Alexander Hamilton High School student.

In the midst of the year 2000, LaBeouf got once-in-a-lifetime chance to star in his first leading performance in Disney series' "Even Steven" (2000-2003) as Louis Steven, a middle school student who loves to annoy his perfectionist older sister, portrayed by Christy Romano. This role proved to be his golden ticket to prominence. Through Louis, this young actor gathered many fans and received Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series - Leading Young Actor nomination for 2000 YoungStar Award as well for 2001 and 2002 Young Artist Award. Still, it wasn't until 2003 that he garnered his first notable award, Daytime Emmy, for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series. Considering his remarkable talent, in 2002, the actor that is described by Time Magazine as the "scrappy kid next door" was trusted once more by Disney to play Eddie Walker, a mental disabled boy whose life was filmed by his sister, in its TV movie "Tru Confessions".

In 2003, he could was spotted starring in "The Even Stevens Movie", the small-screen movie version of his famous TV series "Even Steven", in the sequel of "Charlie's Angels", "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle", in the prequel of "Dumb and Dumber", "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd", and in the acclaimed family movie, "Holes", as Stanley "Caveman" Yelnats IV, from which he received his 2004 MTV Movie Award nomination for Breakthrough Male Performance.

Aside from filming movies, on this year he also celebrated his graduation. Through the period of 2004 to 2006, LaBeouf scored both minor and lead roles in various movies, naming some were as Francis Quimet in Disney's "The Greatest Game Ever Played" (2004), as Chas Kramer, Keanu Reeves' sidekick, in "Constantine" (2005), as Cooper in Emilio Estevez's drama movie, "Bobby" (2006), and as young Dito in "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" (2006). The latter movie brought LaBeouf 2006 Sundance Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble Performance which he shared with co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Rosario Dawson and Channing Tatum.

His first illustrious role, for which he won 2007 Scream Award for Scream King and two 2007 Teen Choice Awards, including for Choice Movie: Horror/Thriller, was as Kale Brecht, a teen placed under house arrest who spied on his neighbor that he suspected to be a serial killer, in the successful thriller "Disturbia". The second role was as Sam Witwicky, a teenager who bought an Autobots by mistake and thus involved in the war between two robot clans, in the blockbuster action movie "Transformers". Likewise, this role scored him 2007 Scream Award for Sci-Fi Star. Besides scoring all those notable awards, he also won 2007 Teen Choice Award-Breakthrough Male for his performance in "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints", "Disturbia" and "Transformers".

Other than the noteworthy two movies, he also lent his voice to Cody Maverick, the surf-legend wanna-be penguin, in the computer-animated movie "Surf's Up". It was also in this year that he was awarded as the 2007 Male Star of Tomorrow by the ShoWest Convention and signed the contract to join the cast of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", the fourth installment of the adventure movie Indiana Jones.

Some interesting information:
  • He listens to System of a Down, 50 Cents, Eminem, D12, Led Zeppelin, Jack Johnson and Ben Folds.
  • Considers Jon Voight, his co-star in "Holes" (2003), as his second father and mentor.
  • Stalled the chance to attend Yale School of Drama because he got a part in Stephen Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull" (2008).
  • Considers his 2005 movie "The Greatest Game Ever Played" as his transition movie to adult actor.
  • Some of his favorite movies are "Dumb and Dumber" (1994), "Saving Silverman" (2001) and "American Beauty" (1999).
  • Has two dogs, Brando and Rex.
  • Has a tattoo on right wrist, '1986-2004', the latter year marked the year he decided to be an adult.
  • He celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah.
  • Wears contact lenses.
  • His name means "Praise God for Beef".

On April 14, 2007, LaBeouf hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guest Avril Lavigne to promote his then upcoming film Disturbia. LaBeouf hosted Saturday Night Live again in May 10th of 2008, for the second time with musical guest My Morning Jacket to promote his then upcoming film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, appearing in skits during the show.

There are those actors whose films are really good or at least, they will bring enough entertainment and character to keep you glued to the big-screen. LaBeouf is one such actor, who has shown the ability to ensure full entertainment when you spend your money at the local cinema.

Related Links
TheTVObserver: StarSpread
TheTVObserver: Josh Duhamel

By TheTVObserver
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1 comment:

Green.arrow said...

Thanx TVO....
Its just my presonal opinion: but i see a Russell Crowe in Shia...a little bit of growing and body work, no shaving, and we are sorted for the future...!

And I came across your yahoo comment on Trnasformers 2....I was a ittle sad u dont think it was Thee best mivie..but it was a balncaed view...and i have to agree, there have been good movies before it and the will be even better in future.

But i just love my Shia, and i watched eagle eye (however terrible) just for him...hmmmm!...i wonder whats next!