In case you hadn’t noticed, Shia LaBeouf is the Biggest Movie Star on the Planet. Possessing the kind of box office magic that some of the industry’s highest paid actors wish they still had, Shia has quickly gone from Disney protégé to Steven Spielberg go-to guy in a matter of only a few years. Along with starring in two of the biggest films of 2007 (both produced by Spielberg), Shia is also currently in production on the director’s fourth Indiana Jones film – and all before the age of 22.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Shia’s home life wasn’t quite as spectacular as you might expect. His father could never hold down a steady job, and so money was incredibly tight during his childhood. In fact, it’s exactly because of his family’s financial status that he decided to pursue a career in child acting, earning bit roles in made-for-TV movies and popular TV shows before finally earning the lead role in the Disney Channel series, “Even Stevens.” Far and wide one of the more original shows on the tween-friendly cable network, “Even Stevens” introduced as Shia as one of the most promising young talents in Hollywood.
After appearing in the Disney-produced “Holes” in 2003, Shia began popping up all over Hollywood, from a small part in “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” to the role of the young sidekick in “I, Robot” and “Constantine.” It wasn’t until 2007, though, that Shia became a household name. After the “Rear Window”-for-teens thriller, “Disturbia,” took #1 at the box office during its opening weekend, the film continued to surprise industry experts as it held on to the top spot for the rest of the month. And then there’s a little robot movie called “Transformers,” the summer event of the year that, if nothing else, has made clear Shia is here to stay.
Shia on the Screen
Getting his acting start with guest spots on shows like “The X-Files,” “Freeks & Geeks” and “ER,” Shia finally got his big break when he was cast in the Disney Channel original series, “Even Stevens.” Since then, Shia has been everywhere, from big budget action films like “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “I, Robot,” Disney-produced movies like “Holes” and “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” as well as indie flicks like the Project Greenlight film “The Battle of Shaker Heights.”
Shia Says
On the sport of golf:
“I understand why marriages break up over golf. I can’t even talk about my own handicap because it’s too upsetting.”
On his celebrity status:
“And I’m not a personality; otherwise I’d be coming out with an album, performing on MTV. All that stuff is possible and I can do that tomorrow. I just have no need.”