Biography of Shia LaBeouf

Blessed with a formidable amount of talent and a 'boy next door image', Shia LaBeouf got early recognition as a stand-up comedian performing in his neighborhood, and later putting his acting skills to use in several block-buster films.

Childhood

Born on June 11, 1986, in Los Angeles, California, Shia LaBeouf's mother Shayna, who is of Jewish descent, was a talented ballerina who also tried her hand at jewelry designing. His father, Jeffrey Craig LaBeouf, a war veteran, who is of Cajun origin, did a string of different jobs which included being a rodeo clown and mime artist at a circus. The name Shia, bestowed upon their child means, "gift from God" in Hebrew.

Raised in a Jewish upbringing, Shia at the age of ten, smoked marijuana with his father. Shia's father, who was addicted to heroin, and accomplished at growing cannabis, was treated in a rehabilitation center. Eventually his parents divorced, and although it was a traumatizing phase in Shia's life, he took it in his stride and moved on.

Shia attended an African American school. His theatrical interests lead him to Alexander Hamilton High School. Although, he got a chance to go to Yale University he didn't take it saying, the education available there wasn't the kind that was available in schools.

Popularity

Shia, who was known for his quick wit, one-liners and fictional tales, used his natural talent to sharpen his skills at stand-up comedy. His dark sarcasm and badmouth humor was relished by audiences in comedy clubs and neighborhoods. A constant search through the yellow pages, paid dividends, as Shia found an agent to promote him, although, he had to prove his abilities.

His acting career took off when he got a role in Even Stevens, a weekly program on Disney Channel, that shot him to prominence. Another program on the same channel, Tru Confessions in which Shia portrayed the role of a physically challenged kid, also cemented his way to stardom. The portrayal of the character Louis in Even Stevens, won him the Daytime Emmy Award.

Holes was the next Disney production that was offered to him, and although the film was not a huge box office hit, his acting skills impressed Steven Spielberg, with whom he worked in the following years. Shia started getting offers on a regular basis. He made brief appearances in movies like Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, I, Robot and Constantine. Shia, displayed his directorial skills, in a short drama Let's Love Hate, which won the Children's Jury Award and the Children's Audiences Award in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The movie Disturbia released in 2007, was a success. Shia received rave reviews for his performance from critics. Shia also lent his voice for an animated movie Surf's Up. Steven Spielberg, whom Shia had impressed in his performance in Holes, cast him in The Transformers: The Movie, and later in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Shia credits actors such Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight as the ones who have influenced him. He continues to explore his capabilities as an actor and entertain audiences the world over.