Hollywood Child Stars |
Shia LaBeouf: Biography
From digging holes in a juvenile delinquent camp for Disney’s “Holes” to driving transforming cars for director Michael Bay in “Transformers”, Shia LaBeouf is taking the silver screen by storm. Several media outlets consider Shia the next big star and with his impeccable comedic timing and uncanny ability to delve into a character, it is not hard to believe.
Childhood
Shia LaBeouf was born on June 11th, 1986 to Shayna Saide and Jeffery Craig
LaBeouf. The name “Shia” is Hebrew for “gift from God”,
and his last name “LaBeouf” is a misspelling of “Le
Boeuf”, which is French for “the beef.” Shia attended
the 32nd Street Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Centre in L.A; however,
he received most of his education from tutors. He describes his childhood
as happy, but explains how it was challenging to deal with his father
who had become addicted to heroin when Shia was only about nine years
old. His parents eventually divorced and Shia moved in with his mother
in Echo Park, L.A. She sold fabrics and brooches to make ends meet.
Career
Shia LaBeouf began his career in showbiz at a very early age, but not
in any conventional manner. He claims to remember his parents and himself
at a very young age dressing up in clown costumes, and selling hot dogs
in the park across from his home. He started performing risqué
stand-up comedy routines at ten years old in comedy and coffee clubs around
his neighbourhood. Shia then saw a friend get a spot on “Dr.
Quinn, Medicine Woman”, and decided that he too wanted
to act. He found his first agent in the Yellow Pages; her name was Teresa
Dahlquist of Beverly Hecht Agency. She took him on after witnessing his
out-of-the-ordinary stand-up routine.
After landing many small television and film roles, Shia’s big break came in 2000 when he was cast in the smash hit Disney program “Even Stevens”. In 2003, Shia was awarded a Daytime Emmy Award (Outstanding Performance in a Children’s Series) for his portrayal of Louis Stevens. Since the year 2000, his talent has grown by leaps and bounds and his list of film credits continues to escalate. Shia was accepted into the prestigious Yale University, but declined saying “he [was] getting the kind of education that you don’t get at school.” Despite his seeming dislike for organized education, Shia maintains that he would like to attend college at some point in his life.
A comment from the new-born star: “I
live a pretty modest life. I drive a Nissan.
I live in a two bedroom. I go to Dodgers games.
I’m sure that’s going to change
and I’ll deal with that when it comes.”
– Shia LaBeouf
More on Shia LaBeouf
Biography
Filmography