Date of Birth: June 3, 1950
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: November 4, 2015
Biography
Melissa Marie Mathison was an acclaimed American screenwriter known for her work on some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. Born in Los Angeles, California, she grew up in a family deeply connected to the entertainment industry. Mathison’s breakthrough came when she wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), a film that became a cultural phenomenon and earned her an Academy Award nomination. Throughout her career, Mathison was celebrated for her ability to infuse stories with emotional depth and humanity. Her other notable works include “The Black Stallion” (1979) and “Kundun” (1997), a biographical film about the Dalai Lama directed by Martin Scorsese. Mathison was also known for her marriage to actor Harrison Ford, with whom she had two children. She passed away on November 4, 2015, leaving behind a legacy of influential and beloved films.
5 Interesting Facts about Melissa Mathison
1. Mathison’s screenplay for “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
2. She was a strong advocate for Tibetan independence and wrote “Kundun,” a film about the life of the 14th Dalai Lama.
3. Mathison began her career as an assistant to Francis Ford Coppola, which helped her break into the film industry.
4. She was married to Harrison Ford from 1983 to 2004.
5. Mathison was posthumously honored with the Distinguished Screenwriter Award at the Austin Film Festival in 2016.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Melissa Mathison
1. “E.T. is an emotional and spiritual journey, a story about finding home.”
2. “Writing is like a puzzle. You have to piece it together, bit by bit, to create the whole picture.”
3. “I believe in the power of storytelling to change the world, to inspire and to heal.”
4. “Working with Steven Spielberg on E.T. was a magical experience that changed my life.”
5. “Each screenplay is a part of my soul, a reflection of my deepest thoughts and feelings.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Melissa Mathison’s net worth was estimated to be around $100 million.
Children
Melissa Mathison had two children with Harrison Ford: a son named Malcolm Ford, born in 1987, and a daughter named Georgia Ford, born in 1990.
Relevant Links
1. [Melissa Mathison – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0558619/
5. [Melissa Mathison – Awards – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0558619/awards
