History of Michael Bay in Timeline
Michael Bay is an American film director and producer renowned for directing big-budget, high-concept action movies. His signature style includes fast-paced editing, distinctive cinematography, visual flair, and a heavy reliance on special effects, particularly explosions. His filmography boasts successful titles such as 'Bad Boys,' 'The Rock,' 'Armageddon,' 'Pearl Harbor,' and the 'Transformers' franchise. Bay's movies have collectively grossed over $6.6 billion globally, solidifying his position as one of the highest-grossing directors in cinematic history.
February 17, 1965: Michael Bay's Birth
On February 17, 1965, Michael Benjamin Bay was born. He would later become a successful American film director and producer known for his high-concept action films.
1986: Graduation from Wesleyan University
In 1986, Michael Bay graduated from Wesleyan University, where he majored in both English and film.
1992: Clio Award for Red Cross Commercial
In 1992, Michael Bay's first national commercial for the Red Cross won a Clio Award.
1993: Grand Prix Clio Award for 'Got Milk?' Commercial
In 1993, Michael Bay directed the "Aaron Burr" commercial for the California Milk Processors Board's "Got Milk?" ad campaign, which won a Grand Prix Clio Award for Commercial of the Year.
1994: Shooting Bad Boys in Miami
In 1994, Michael Bay shot his first feature-length film, "Bad Boys", in Miami, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
1995: Release of Bad Boys
In 1995, Michael Bay directed "Bad Boys", starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The action film grossed $141 million and marked a breakout role for Will Smith.
1995: Release of Bad Boys and its success
In 1995, Michael Bay's film "Bad Boys" was completed for $19 million and grossed $141 million during the summer, marking a strong partnership with Jerry Bruckheimer.
1996: Release of The Rock
In 1996, Michael Bay directed "The Rock", an action movie starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and dedicated to Don Simpson.
1997: MTV Movie Awards for The Rock
In 1997, Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage won "Best On-Screen Duo" at the MTV Movie Awards for their roles in Michael Bay's film "The Rock". The film was also nominated for an Academy Award.
1998: Release of Armageddon
In 1998, Michael Bay directed "Armageddon", starring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler. The film grossed over $553 million worldwide and was nominated for four Oscars.
2001: Release of Pearl Harbor
In 2001, Michael Bay directed "Pearl Harbor", starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Bay also directed the music video for the nominated track "There You'll Be" by vocal artist Faith Hill. The film won an Oscar for Sound Editing.
2001: Founding of Platinum Dunes
In 2001, Michael Bay founded the production house Platinum Dunes with fellow producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form.
2003: Release of Bad Boys II
In 2003, Michael Bay directed "Bad Boys II", a sequel reuniting Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The film grossed $273 million worldwide.
2005: Release of The Island
In 2005, Michael Bay directed "The Island", starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It was Bay's first film without Jerry Bruckheimer as a producer and grossed $163 million worldwide.
2005: The Amityville Horror Remake
In 2005, Platinum Dunes, a production house co-owned by Michael Bay, remade the horror film "The Amityville Horror".
2006: Acquisition of Digital Domain
In 2006, Michael Bay and Wyndcrest Holdings acquired the digital effects company Digital Domain with a $50 million investment.
March 2007: Mason's Death During Transformers Production
In March 2007, Mason, Michael Bay's first English mastiff, named for John Patrick Mason, passed away during the production of the movie Transformers.
July 2007: Release of Transformers
In July 2007, Michael Bay's "Transformers", a live-action film based on the Transformers franchise, was released. By November, it had grossed over $709 million worldwide.
2007: The Hitcher Remake
In 2007, Platinum Dunes, a production house co-owned by Michael Bay, remade the horror film "The Hitcher".
June 24, 2009: Release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
On June 24, 2009, Michael Bay's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was released. Despite negative reviews, it grossed over $832 million worldwide and was well-received by its intended audience.
2009: Digital Domain IPO Withdrawn
In 2009, Digital Domain, co-owned by Michael Bay, considered an initial public offering but withdrew the offer due to lack of interest.
2009: Victoria's Secret ad for "A Thousand Fantasies" campaign
In 2009, Michael Bay directed a Victoria's Secret ad for the "A Thousand Fantasies" holiday campaign through the Institute.
2009: Friday the 13th Remake
In 2009, Platinum Dunes, a production house co-owned by Michael Bay, remade the horror film "Friday the 13th".
2009: Initial Report of Fox's Experience During Transformers Audition
In 2009, reports surfaced that Megan Fox, at the age of 15, was allegedly asked to wash Michael Bay's car while auditioning for Transformers.
April 2010: Blu-ray Sales of Transformers
In April 2010, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was the #1 all-time Blu-ray in sales until it was surpassed by "Avatar".
2010: A Nightmare on Elm Street Remake
In 2010, Platinum Dunes, a production house co-owned by Michael Bay, remade the horror film "A Nightmare on Elm Street".
June 29, 2011: Release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon
On June 29, 2011, Michael Bay's "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" was released, grossing $1.123 billion globally.
2012: Sale of Digital Domain
In 2012, Digital Domain, co-owned by Michael Bay, was sold to the production group Beijing Galloping Horse.
2012: Release of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
In 2012, the Benghazi attack that inspired the making of the movie "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" was carried out.
June 2014: Release of Transformers: Age of Extinction
In June 2014, "Transformers: Age of Extinction", directed by Michael Bay and starring Mark Wahlberg, was released and earned $1.1 billion at the global box office.
October 2015: Unveiling of 451 Media Group Graphic Novels
In October 2015, 451 Media Group, co-founded by Michael Bay, unveiled its premiere slate of graphic novels at the New York Comic Con.
January 12, 2016: Release of 13 Hours
On January 12, 2016, Paramount Pictures released "13 Hours", directed and produced by Michael Bay, based on the 2012 Benghazi attack.
May 2016: Digital Release and DVD sales of 13 Hours
In May 2016, "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" had a massive DVD sales on its digital release, earning over $40 million in home video revenue.
June 2016: Bay Joins Rogue Initiative
In June 2016, Michael Bay became a strategic advisor and stakeholder at the Rogue Initiative, a production studio and technology company. This partnership involves Bay developing and directing a multiplatform action-adventure game and cinematic VR experiences based on his original IP.
2016: Michael Bay's Net Worth and Possessions in 2016
In 2016, Michael Bay stated in a Rolling Stone interview that his net worth was approximately $500 million. His possessions included a $50 million Gulfstream G550 jet, a Bentley, a Range Rover, an Escalade, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, and two Camaros from the Transformers franchise.
2016: Bay announces Transformers: The Last Knight will be his final Transformers film.
In a 2016 Rolling Stone interview, Michael Bay stated that the upcoming film "Transformers: The Last Knight" would be his final Transformers film as director.
2016: Release of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
On January 12, 2016, Paramount Pictures released "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi", directed and produced by Michael Bay, based on the 2012 Benghazi attack. Although it was the lowest-grossing film of Bay's career in theaters, it sold well on DVD.
May 23, 2017: Hand-and-Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre
On May 23, 2017, Michael Bay was honored with a hand-and-footprint ceremony at The TCL Chinese Theatre, with his English mastiff, Rebel, putting her paw in the cement with him.
June 21, 2017: Release of Transformers: The Last Knight
On June 21, 2017, Michael Bay's fifth Transformers film as director, "Transformers: The Last Knight", was released. It grossed $605 million worldwide and had the franchise's lowest opening.
2018: Announcement of 6 Underground
In 2018, it was announced that Michael Bay would direct the Netflix action thriller film "6 Underground", starring Ryan Reynolds.
December 13, 2019: Release of 6 Underground
On December 13, 2019, Michael Bay's film "6 Underground", starring Ryan Reynolds, was released on Netflix.
2019: Release of 6 Underground
In 2019, Michael Bay directed "6 Underground", an action thriller film starring Ryan Reynolds, which was released on Netflix on December 13, 2019.
2020: Fox Revisits Incident
In 2020, Megan Fox addressed the 2009 incident regarding her Transformers audition, clarifying that she was not underage and was not "made to 'wash' or work on someone's cars in a way that was extraneous from the materials in the actual script."
2020: Black Five project put on hold
In 2020, Michael Bay's action film project "Black Five" was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Request for compensation from Paramount Pictures
In 2021, Michael Bay requested financial compensation from Paramount Pictures for indirectly limiting his income due to Paramount cutting the theatrical run of "A Quiet Place Part II".
April 8, 2022: Release of Ambulance in the US
On April 8, 2022, Michael Bay's film "Ambulance", starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González, was released in the US by Universal Pictures.
2022: Release of Ambulance
In 2022, Michael Bay's film "Ambulance", starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González, was released in the US on April 8, 2022. It follows two bank robbers who hijack an ambulance.
July 24, 2024: Bay developing Skibidi Toilet franchise
On July 24, 2024, it was reported that Michael Bay was developing a franchise based on Alexey Gerasimov's "Skibidi Toilet" web series.
September 2, 2024: Premiere of Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Savior
On September 2, 2024, Michael Bay's first documentary series, "Born Evil: The Serial Killer and the Savior", premiered on Investigation Discovery.
Mentioned in this timeline
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