Daily BirthdaysJon Chu
One of five artistic children, Jon developed his love of music and dance at an early age. He started tap lessons when he was in kindergarten and, by the age of 16, had been trained in instruments ranging from piano to soprano sax. Obsessed with Disney animation, he also began making his own Super 8 animated films and later started shooting short subjects with his brothers and sisters. By the time he was in high school in Los Altos Hills, California, he was videotaping weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, memory videos for school and video yearbooks— and he knew he was going to be a filmmaker.
While a sophomore at USC, Chu made the innovative short Silent Beats, which unfolds its story to a tap-dance rhythm soundtrack. The film went on to win numerous awards, including the Jack Nicholson Directing Award and the Princess Grace Foundation's Cary Grant Award, as well as a scholarship for Chu to continue his studies at USC. While at USC, Chu also made the acclaimed 20-minute film When the Kids Are Away, a rousing musical exploration of motherhood that utilized salsa, swing and hip-hop, as well as a 50-piece orchestra and 20-voice student choir.
The film soon garnered widespread interest in Hollywood—and brought him to the attention of the producers of STEP UP 2 THE STREETS, who gave him the long-dreamed-of chance to combine his love of inventive dance and filmmaking on the big screen.
Jon Chu Facts
| Birth Name | Jonathan Murray Chu |
| Occupation | Director |
| Birthday | November 2, 1979 (30) |
| Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Palo Alto |
Selected Filmography
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