If you have an adolescent girl in your family, chances are you have heard of Shia LaBeouf. The handsome and talented young man from “Holes,” “Transformers,” and “Disturbia” is being touted as the next big thing in acting. In addition to his bright future, Shia LaBeouf has quite the colorful past. Let’s take a look at this young actor that we are sure to be seeing plenty more of in the future.
California Dreaming. Shia LaBeouf made his arrival on June 11, 1986 in sunny Las Angeles, California. Much has been made about his unique first name. “Shia” means “gift from God” in Hebrew. Shia LaBeouf has a religious background and was raised in the Jewish religion. Shia LaBeouf has not made any mention of faith in recent interviews, so it is unknown whether he continues to actively practice Judaism.
In The Beginning. Shia LaBeouf was born to his artistic and creative mother, Shayna who expressed herself through dance, specifically the ballet. In later years, Shayna made her living as a visual artist and jewelry designer. Shia’s father was Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf who by all accounts was a bit of a lost soul. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Jeffrey LaBeouf couldn’t quite find his niche after returning from the war and drifted from job to job while his son was young.
Performing In The Blood. Shia LaBeouf’s father worked as a mime at a circus and also as a rodeo clown. Shia’s maternal grandfather who is also his namesake achieved moderate success as a comedian. With the artistic creativity from his mother and the love of the spotlight from his father and grandfather, it seems natural that Shia LaBeouf would eventually be drawn to the lights of Hollywood.
The Seeds Were Sown. Shia LaBeouf readily admits that his childhood was far from ideal. His father eventually became addicted to drugs and went into drug rehab to kick his addiction. While his father was attempting to get his life together, his parents divorced. Shayna raised her son alone and money was scarce. Shia did not grow up in the best of neighborhoods and used his vivid imagination to develop stand up comedy routines to escape the harsh reality of his childhood. Shia concedes that he initially entered acting for the financial security that eluded him and his family as a child.
Took Matters Into His Own Hands. After deciding that acting was the path he wanted to take, Shia LaBeouf scoured the Yellow Pages of the Las Angeles phone book to find himself an agent. His aggressiveness in taking his career into his own hands certainly paid off.
Disney Roots. Shia LaBeouf originally caught the public’s eye with his role in the Disney Channel’s original programming, “Even Stevens.” It was here that he gained notice from the millions of tween viewers of the Disney Channel.
Box Office Success. Shia LaBeouf began to be a household name with his work in “Holes.” A critical and box office success by all accounts, this movie put Shia LaBeouf on the map.
2007 Was A Busy Year. To date, 2007 was Shia LaBeouf’s most successful year in his acting career. With notable starring roles in “Disturbia,” “Transformers,” and “Surf’s Up,” Shia LaBeouf seemed to make his presence known as an up and coming star that has the acting chops to match his youthful good looks.
Sure Fire Hit. Shia LaBeouf landed a coveted role in the 2008 scheduled release of “Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.” With loyal Indiana Jones fans sure to flock the theater when this newest installment is released, this movie is certain to rake in the millions.
By his own admission, Shia LaBeouf did not have the best hand dealt to him at birth. Poverty, divorce and drug addiction were familiar themes in his childhood. By sheer persistence, a natural talent and a little bit of luck, this young actor has defied the odds and made a name for himself among Hollywood’s elite. Keep your eye on Shia LaBeouf. With natural talent and a wisdom beyond his years, there is no telling how far this young star will go.
Source: www.wikipedia.org
