James Cameron

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James Cameron was born on August 16, 1954, in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. Cameron, the mastermind behind the first two Terminator films ('The Terminator' and 'T2 Judgment Day'), began his illustrious career as a truck driver. Having attended California State University, Cameron had achieved a degree in Physics but had his heart set on screenwriting.

Supporting himself with his day job and writing in his spare time, Cameron finally got into the business, as a set designer/art director/second unit director for Roger Corman's 1980 film 'Battle Beyond the Stars'. He claims to have gotten his big break when a few producers happened to catch him shooting pick-up shots for Battle and were impressed by his improvisational direction.

He directed his first feature film, 'Piranha II: The Spawning', in 1981. Though not exactly his finest work, Cameron maintains that it is still the greatest flying-killer-piranha film ever made.

In 1984, Cameron struck gold when he managed to cast 'Conan the Barbarian' star Arnold Schwarzenegger in his own film, one that he personally had written. 'The Terminator' became a sleeper hit, launching Cameron's career as well as many of the cast members.

Next, in 1986, Cameron wrote and directed the popular sequel 'Aliens'. He broke new ground with incredible morphing technology in 1989's 'The Abyss', and then did it again in 1991's mega-budget, mega-hit 'T2 Judgment Day'.

A notorious overspender, Cameron broke records by pouring more than $100 million into 'True Lies' in 1994. His short 1996 film for the Universal Studios theme park, 'T2:3D Battle Across Time', though only 12 minutes long, is rumoured to be (minute-for-minute) the most expensive film ever. And, in 1997, Cameron broke an even more ridiculous record by spending a staggering $200 million on the juggernaut that is 'Titanic' (also the highest grossing film ever made yet). Since Titanic's there have been some other films, including 'Solaris' starring George Clooney.

Cameron's production company is called 'Lightstorm Entertainment'. He also founded 'Digital Domain', a special effects company. Cameron has been married four times and has a daughter with Terminator star Linda Hamilton.

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