Early Life and Education of Chris Columbus (filmmaker): A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 18, 2025

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Chris Columbus (filmmaker). From birth to education, explore key events.

Chris Columbus is an American filmmaker known for directing commercially successful family-friendly and comedy films. He began his career writing screenplays for movies like *Gremlins*, *The Goonies*, and *Young Sherlock Holmes*. Columbus achieved directorial success with *Adventures in Babysitting* but gained widespread recognition directing *Home Alone* and *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York*, establishing him as a prominent figure in family entertainment.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 10, 1958: Christopher Columbus's Birth

On September 10, 1958, Christopher Joseph Columbus was born in Spangler, Pennsylvania. He is an American filmmaker.

1980: Directing I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here

In 1980, while at NYU, Chris Columbus directed a short film entitled I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here.

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1983: Marriage to Monica Devereux

In 1983, Chris Columbus married choreographer Monica Devereux.

1989: Setting of Rent

The 1989-1990 setting of the musical Rent, directed by Chris Columbus, follows the lives of Bohemians in the East Village of New York City.

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1990: Setting of Rent

The 1989-1990 setting of the musical Rent, directed by Chris Columbus, follows the lives of Bohemians in the East Village of New York City.

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1993: Publication of "Night at the Museum"

In 1993, Milan Trenc published the children's book titled "Night at the Museum", on which the 2006 film produced by Chris Columbus was based.

The Night at the Museum

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1995: Co-founding 1492 Pictures and Release of Nine Months

In 1995, Chris Columbus co-founded 1492 Pictures and also wrote and directed Nine Months, which was produced by 1492 Pictures.

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1995: Co-founding 1492 Pictures

In 1995, Chris Columbus co-founded 1492 Pictures, a film production company that has produced some of his films since then.

1996: Broadway Musical of Rent

In 1996, the Broadway musical of Rent was released, which would later be adapted into a film directed by Chris Columbus in 2005.

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2001: Publication of Skipping Christmas

In 2001, John Grisham's novel Skipping Christmas was published, which later served as the basis for the film Christmas with the Kranks, written and produced by Chris Columbus in 2004.

Skipping Christmas: A Novel

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2005: Publication of "The Lightning Thief"

In 2005, Rick Riordan's novel "The Lightning Thief" was published, which served as the basis for the 2010 film "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" directed by Chris Columbus.