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FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN IN 1967
FAMOUS PEOPLE NAMED VIN
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QUOTES
“When you grow up in New York City, you have to decide at a young age whether you're going to be predator or prey.”
—Vin Diesel
Synopsis
Born on July 18, 1967 in New York City, Vin Diesel dropped out of college to create his first film, Multi-Facial, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995. His following film, Strays, screened at Sundance. Diesel’s work attracted the attention of Steven Spielberg, who cast the actor in Saving Private Ryan (1998). He starred in several films before landing his career-defining role in The Fast and the Furious (2001). Additional films include The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), in which he did voiceover work, and Furious 7 (2015).
Early Life and Career
Actor, director, writer and producer Vin Diesel was born Mark Vincent on July 18, 1967, in New York City. Diesel and his twin brother Paul were raised by their mother Delora and their stepfather, Irving H. Vincent. Their biological father split from their mother before they were born.
Not one to reveal details about his personal background, Diesel has been candid about developing a passion for performing early on. His stepfather was a drama teacher and Diesel himself started acting at the age of 7 at the Theater for the New City. "I've always been certain that I was going to be a movie star," he told Entertainment Weekly. "Even as a kid I knew it."
Diesel continued to act in theatrical productions throughout his adolescence. During his teen years, he also took up another occupation—club bouncer. This job helped him develop a toughness that he has carried through many of his film performances. As he explained to Men's Fitness, "I must have been in more than 500 fights. I fought every night, and I bounced for nine or 10 years. And these weren't pretty fights."
Working as a bouncer also left his days free to audition for roles and study English at New York's Hunter College. Diesel drew inspiration from his days as a struggling actor for his first self-made film project—an enterprise that helped launch his career.
Actor, comedian, and musician Adam Sandler was a cast member on Saturday Night Live and is the star of such films as Punch-Drunk Love and The Wedding Singer.
Born on September 9, 1966, in New York City, Adam Sandler was always the class clown but didn't consider becoming a comedian until his brother encouraged him to perform at a Boston Comedy Club. He was a regular on MTV's Remote Control and on NBC's Saturday Night Live before devoting himself to making movies. Sandler is best known for comedy but has also received critical praise for his dramatic work.
Early Career
Actor, comedian, musician. Born on September 9, 1966, in New York City. Raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, as one of seven children, Sandler was always the class clown. However, he never aspired to be a comedian until age 17 when his brother encouraged him to perform at a Boston comedy club.
Sandler continued to perform after he left Boston to attend New York University. After graduation, he became a regular on MTV's game show, Remote Control. In 1989, he starred in his first film, Going Overboard. He was later spotted by Saturday Night Live cast member Dennis Miller who got him a job on the show, which lasted from 1990 to 1995. It was there that Sandler created such characters as Cajun Man, Opera Man and Canteen Boy.
Film Debut
Through juvenile antics and sometimes offensive stunts, Sandler kept loyal fans laughing throughout the '90s. His first title film role came in 1995 with Billy Madison. Numerous films followed, including Happy Gilmore in 1996, The Wedding Singer co-starring Drew Barrymore and The Water Boy in 1998, Big Daddy in 1999, and Little Nicky in 2000.
In 2002, Sandler co-starred with Winona Ryder in Mr. Deeds and the critically acclaimed Punch-Drunk Love opposite Emily Watson. The following year he starred opposite Jack Nicholson in the hit comedy Anger Management. Sandler reteamed with Barrymore for another romantic comedy 50 First Dates (2004), which fared well at the box office. Taking a more dramatic turn, he starred the dramedy Spanglish (2004) as a husband experiencing trouble with his wife (played by Tea Leoni) and developing a relationship to his housekeeper (played by Paz Vega).