John McTiernan

Date of Birth: January 8, 1951

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

John Campbell McTiernan Jr. is an acclaimed American film director and producer, renowned for his work in the action and thriller genres. Born in Albany, New York, McTiernan attended the Juilliard School and the American Film Institute, where he honed his craft. He gained prominence in Hollywood with his direction of the 1987 sci-fi action film “Predator,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. McTiernan followed this success with “Die Hard” (1988), which became a seminal action film and established Bruce Willis as a major star. Other notable works include “The Hunt for Red October” (1990), “Die Hard with a Vengeance” (1995), and “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1999). Despite his professional achievements, McTiernan’s career faced significant challenges in the 2000s. He became embroiled in legal issues related to illegal wiretapping and was sentenced to prison in 2013. After serving his sentence, McTiernan has remained relatively out of the spotlight, though his contributions to cinema continue to be celebrated.

5 Interesting Facts about John McTiernan

1. John McTiernan was the first director to helm two films in the “Die Hard” franchise.

2. He studied drama at the Juilliard School before switching to filmmaking.

3. McTiernan’s “The Hunt for Red October” was the first film adaptation of a Tom Clancy novel.

4. He was sentenced to a year in prison in 2013 for lying to the FBI about his involvement in a wiretapping scandal.

5. “Die Hard” was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2017 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”