Michael Moore
Born 1954 · Age 72
American documentary filmmaker, author and political activist known for films Roger & Me, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko and many books and public projects.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Flint, Michigan
Michael Francis Moore born in Flint, Michigan to Veronica and Francis Richard 'Frank' Moore.
Attended St. Paul's Seminary (one year)
Moore attended St. Paul's Seminary in Saginaw, Michigan for one year as a young man considering the priesthood.
Attended University of Michigan–Flint (did not graduate)
Enrolled at University of Michigan–Flint but dropped out during his second year.
Elected to Davison School Board (youngest elected official)
At age 18 Moore was elected to the Davison school board — reported as the youngest person elected to public office in the U.S. after the voting age was lowered to 18.
Founded alternative newspaper 'Free to Be...' / The Flint Voice
At age 22 Moore founded the alternative weekly Free to Be... later renamed The Flint Voice (and later Michigan Voice) to cover local and state issues.
Opened crisis-intervention center and started Radio Free Flint
As part of local activism Moore opened a crisis intervention center and launched an alternative radio show to serve Flint-area residents.
Flint Voice published (Burton, Michigan) begins
The bi-weekly paper began publishing (listed in sources as 1977–1982 in Burton, Michigan).
Expanded paper to Michigan Voice (statewide coverage)
The Flint Voice expanded and was renamed The Michigan Voice, covering the entire state (noted as 1983–1986).
Settled wrongful dismissal suit with Mother Jones ($58,000)
Moore settled an out-of-court wrongful dismissal suit with Mother Jones for $58,000; funds helped seed his first film project.
Worked for Ralph Nader as newsletter editor
After Mother Jones, Moore worked for Ralph Nader editing a newsletter, which provided further financial support during the Roger & Me fundraising period.
Published final issue of The Michigan Voice; moved to San Francisco
In April 1986 Moore published the final issue of The Michigan Voice as he relocated to San Francisco.
Hired then fired by Mother Jones
Worked about four months at Mother Jones in 1986 and was fired in early September 1986 amid editorial disputes; Moore later sued for wrongful dismissal.
Raised funds (garage sales, bingo, sold house) to finance Roger & Me
Moore raised money through benefit concerts, bingo games, garage sales and selling his house; Roger & Me production fundraising occurred during this mid-1980s period.
Released Roger & Me (debut documentary)
Roger & Me, Moore's first documentary on GM plant closings in Flint, was released (filming took ~2.5 years; budget cited at $250,000).
Moved to New York City and founded Dog Eat Dog Films (approx.)
Following Roger & Me's success, Moore moved to New York and established Dog Eat Dog Films and related organizations to finance social-action work (approximate year).
Married Kathleen Glynn
Michael Moore married Kathleen Glynn (the couple later divorced in 2014).
Aired 'Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint' on PBS
A 23-minute follow-up documentary to Roger & Me aired on PBS in 1992, revisiting Flint and individuals featured earlier.
Created and hosted TV Nation (BBC, NBC)
Moore directed and hosted TV Nation, a satirical news-magazine series that aired on BBC2 and in the U.S. on NBC (1994) and later Fox (1995).
Released Canadian Bacon (fiction feature)
Moore wrote and directed the satirical fictional film Canadian Bacon, released in 1995 (one of John Candy's last films).
Published book 'Downsize This!'
Moore published Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American, criticizing corporate layoffs and globalization.
Released documentary 'The Big One'
The Big One (1997) documented Moore's book tour and criticism of mass layoffs and outsourcing, including confrontations with CEOs like Phil Knight.
Aired 'The Awful Truth' TV series
The Awful Truth, Moore's satirical show targeting corporations and politicians, aired on Channel 4 (UK) and Bravo (US) in 1999–2000.
Directed music videos including Rage Against the Machine
Directed videos including 'Sleep Now in the Fire' and 'Testify' (for Rage Against the Machine) and others; faced arrest threat while filming on Wall Street.
Directed R.E.M. video 'All the Way to Reno'
Directed the R.E.M. single 'All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)' video in 2001.
Released 'Bowling for Columbine' (documentary)
Bowling for Columbine (2002) examined gun culture following the Columbine massacre and became a major critical and commercial documentary success.
Won Cannes Anniversary Prize for 'Bowling for Columbine'
Bowling for Columbine won the Anniversary Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.
Won Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature (Bowling for Columbine)
Moore won the 2003 Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Documentary Feature for Bowling for Columbine (film released 2002).
Bowling for Columbine won France's César Award for Best Foreign Film
The film was awarded France's César Award as Best Foreign Film (ceremony year for 2002 films was 2003).
Released 'Fahrenheit 9/11' — box office milestone
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) examined the Bush administration and Iraq War; it earned $119,194,771 at the U.S. box office and became the highest-grossing documentary in American box office history.
Won Palme d'Or for 'Fahrenheit 9/11' at Cannes
Fahrenheit 9/11 was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, the first documentary to win the prize since 1956.
High-profile guest at 2004 Democratic and Republican National Conventions
Moore was a high-profile guest at both 2004 national political conventions and spoke publicly about the election and the Iraq War.
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Time magazine named Michael Moore one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2005.
Founded Traverse City Film Festival (approx.)
Moore founded the Traverse City Film Festival and also helped revive local art-house theaters; (founding of the festival is commonly dated to mid-2000s).
Premiere 'Sicko' at Cannes (standing ovation)
Sicko premiered at Cannes on May 19, 2007 to a lengthy standing ovation; the film critiques the U.S. health-care system.
U.S./Canada theatrical release of 'Sicko'
Sicko was released theatrically in the U.S. and Canada on June 29, 2007; it later ranked among the top-grossing documentaries.
Debuted 'Captain Mike Across America' at Toronto International Film Festival
Captain Mike Across America, shot during a 62-city college tour ahead of the 2004 election, debuted at TIFF on September 7, 2007.
Academy Award nomination for 'Sicko' (Best Documentary Feature)
Sicko received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature for films of 2007 (ceremony year 2008).
Released 'Slacker Uprising' free on the Internet
Slacker Uprising, re-edited from Captain Mike Across America, was released for free online on September 23, 2008 to encourage voting.
Released 'Capitalism: A Love Story'
Capitalism: A Love Story opened September 23, 2009 examining the 2008 financial crisis and U.S. economy.
Published memoir 'Here Comes Trouble'
Moore published Here Comes Trouble, a collection of autobiographical stories and reflections on his career and activism.
Sued Weinstein brothers for $2.7M in unpaid profits (Fahrenheit 9/11)
In February 2011 Moore sued Bob and Harvey Weinstein for $2.7 million in unpaid profits from Fahrenheit 9/11, alleging Hollywood accounting tricks.
Settled dispute with Weinsteins over profits (Fahrenheit 9/11)
In February 2012 Moore and the Weinstein brothers informed the court they had settled the dispute over unpaid profits.
Divorced Kathleen Glynn
Moore and Kathleen Glynn divorced in 2014 after marrying in 1991.
Awarded Honorary Doctor of Humanities (Michigan State University)
Moore received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities from Michigan State University in Fall 2014.
Premiered 'Where to Invade Next' at Toronto International Film Festival
Where to Invade Next premiered at TIFF in 2015, exploring progressive policies in other countries.
Filmed 'Michael Moore in TrumpLand' live performance
Filmed a solo-stage performance over two nights in October 2016 at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington, Ohio; premiered ~11 days later at IFC Center in NYC.
Announced reunion with Harvey Weinstein for 'Fahrenheit 11/9' (later revoked)
In May 2017 Moore announced plans to reunite with Harvey Weinstein for a new film about Donald Trump; plans revoked after sexual-assault allegations against Weinstein.
Broadway debut 'The Terms of My Surrender' opened at Belasco Theatre
Moore's one-man anti-Trump monologue premiered August 10, 2017 at the Belasco Theatre; the production ran 13 weeks with 96 performances through October 2017.
Released 'Fahrenheit 11/9' in theaters (~1,500 screens)
Fahrenheit 11/9, examining the 2016 election and Trump presidency, was released in about 1,500 theaters in the U.S. and Canada on September 21, 2018.
Responded publicly to criticism of 'Planet of the Humans'
Moore, Gibbs and co-producer Ozzie Zehner publicly responded to critics' claims about the film's accuracy in interviews and episodes (e.g., Rising).
Executive producer credit on 'Planet of the Humans' (released online)
Moore was executive producer of Jeff Gibbs's Planet of the Humans, released July 31, 2019; the film sparked significant controversy and critique from climate experts.
Appeared on documentary series 'The Circus' (2020)
Moore appeared in the documentary series The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth in 2020.
Active as podcaster and writer on Substack (ongoing)
Moore runs a Substack with free writing and a paid membership offering events and early previews; hosts The Michael Moore Podcast.
Estimated net worth (public estimates)
Estimated net worth based on decades of successful documentaries, book sales, festivals and theater projects.
Key Achievement Ages
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