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Joe Eszterhas

Screenwriter / Writer / Journalist | * 11/23/1944 (79) | Csakanydoroszlo (Hungary)
József Antal Eszterhás (Hungarian: [ˈjoːʒɛf ɒntɒl ˈɛstɛrhaːʃ]; born November 23, 1944), credited as Joe Eszterhas, is a Hungarian-American writer. Born in Hungary, he grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. After an early career as a journalist and editor, he entered the film industry. His first screenwriting credit was for the film F.I.S.T. (1978). He co-wrote the script for Flashdance, which became one of the highest grossing films of 1983, and set off a lucrative and prolific run for his career. By the early 1990s, he was known as the highest-paid writer in Hollywood, and noted for his work in the erotic thriller genre. He was paid a then-record $3 million for his script Love Hurts, which was produced as Basic Instinct (1992), and following its success, news outlets reported he earned seven-figure salaries solely on the basis of two-to-four page outlines. However, Eszterhas' screenwriting career experienced a decline over the rest of the decade, with films such as ()
Photo of Joe Eszterhas
Most frequent genres for this person: Drama | Thriller | Documentaries

Known for these Movies & Shows

Awards & Nominations for Joe Eszterhas

Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay
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Movies with Joe Eszterhas as Actor(5)

as Himself (archive footage)2019 You Don't Nomi
as himself2015 The First Film
as himself2006 The Tobacco Conspiracy

Movies with Joe Eszterhas as Crew(24)

Writing/Writer2022 The Impact
Writing/Screenplay2006 Children of Glory
Writing/Author2006 Basic Instinct 2
Writing/Screenplay1997 Telling Lies in America
Writing/Screenplay1995 Jade
Writing/Screenplay1995 Showgirls
Writing/Writer1995 Showgirls
Writing/Screenplay1993 Nowhere to Run
Writing/Story1993 Nowhere to Run
Production/Executive Producer1993 Sliver
Writing/Screenplay1993 Sliver
Writing/Screenplay1992 Basic Instinct
Writing/Writer1989 Checking Out
Production/Executive Producer1989 Music Box
Writing/Screenplay1989 Music Box
Production/Executive Producer1988 Betrayed
Writing/Writer1988 Betrayed
Writing/Writer1987 Big Shots
Writing/Writer1987 Hearts of Fire
Writing/Screenplay1985 Jagged Edge
Writing/Screenplay1983 Flashdance
Writing/Writer1978 F.I.S.T.
Writing/Screenplay1978 F.I.S.T.

Additional Information

Born: Thursday, 11/23 1944 (November) in Csakanydoroszlo (Hungary) (current age: 79 years + 127 days)
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius (Chinese zodiac sign: Monkey)
Languages: English (EN), Hungarian (HU)
Educated at: Ohio University
Member of: Writers Guild of America, West
Joe Eszterhas frequently works together with these people:
Tim Chau (5x, Crew)
Sharon Stone (4x, Actress)
Paul Verhoeven (4x, Crew)
Larry McConkey (4x, Crew)
Andrew G. Vajna (4x, Crew)
Ben Myron (4x, Crew)
Norman Jewison (4x, Crew)
David Wilkinson (4x, Actor)
Mario Kassar (4x, Crew)
Stephen Tobolowsky (3x, Actor)
WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:116134, Added: 06/27/2018, Last updated: 03/22/2024