Early Life and Education of Stanley Kubrick: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Stanley Kubrick. A timeline of key moments.

Stanley Kubrick was a highly influential American filmmaker and photographer, considered one of cinema's greatest. His films, largely adaptations of novels or short stories, spanned diverse genres and were celebrated for meticulous detail, groundbreaking cinematography, elaborate set design, and dark humor. A significant figure in post-war cinema, Kubrick's work continues to inspire and provoke debate.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

1902: Elias Kubrick Arrives in the US

In 1902, Elias Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick's grandfather, followed his father to the United States, joining him after Hersh Kubrick had started a new life there.

1927: Parents' Marriage and Father's Graduation

In 1927, Stanley Kubrick's parents, Jacob Leonard Kubrick and Sadie Gertrude Kubrick, married. That same year, his father graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College.

July 26, 1928: Stanley Kubrick Born

On July 26, 1928, Stanley Kubrick was born in New York City. He would later become a major figure in the post-war film industry, renowned as one of cinema's greatest and most influential filmmakers.

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May 1934: Sister Barbara Born

In May 1934, Barbara Mary Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick's sister, was born.

June 1938: Moved to Public School 90

In June 1938, Stanley Kubrick moved to Public School 90 in the Bronx.

1941: Attended William Howard Taft High School

In 1941, Stanley Kubrick began attending William Howard Taft High School.

1945: Graduated High School

In 1945, Stanley Kubrick graduated from William Howard Taft High School with a D+ grade average. His poor grades prevented him from immediately pursuing higher education.

August 1947: Kubrick Obtains Pilot's License

In August 1947, Stanley Kubrick obtained a pilot's license.

May 29, 1948: Marriage to Toba Metz

On May 29, 1948, Stanley Kubrick married his high-school sweetheart, Toba Metz.

1951: Divorce from Toba Metz

In 1951, Stanley Kubrick and Toba Metz divorced.

1952: Meets Ruth Sobotka

In 1952, Kubrick met Ruth Sobotka, an Austrian-born dancer and theatrical designer.

1952: Kubrick names Le Plaisir his favorite film

In 1952, Kubrick named Max Ophüls' film Le Plaisir as his favorite film.

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January 1955: Marriage to Ruth Sobotka

In January 1955, Kubrick married Ruth Sobotka.

July 1955: Move to Hollywood

In July 1955, Kubrick and Ruth Sobotka moved to Hollywood.

1957: Divorce from Ruth Sobotka

In 1957, Kubrick divorced Ruth Sobotka.

1957: Meets Christiane Harlan

In early 1957, during the production of Paths of Glory in Munich, Kubrick met and romanced Christiane Harlan.

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1958: Marriage to Christiane Harlan

In 1958, Kubrick married Christiane Harlan.

April 6, 1959: Birth of daughter Anya Renata

On April 6, 1959, Kubrick's daughter Anya Renata was born.

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August 5, 1960: Birth of daughter Vivian Vanessa

On August 5, 1960, Kubrick's daughter Vivian Vanessa was born.

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1960: Kubrick interview with Robert Emmett Ginna

In 1960, Kubrick explained in an interview with Robert Emmett Ginna that he was very careful not to present his own views of the meaning of his films and to leave them open to interpretation.

1961: Move to the United Kingdom

In 1961, Kubrick and his family moved to the United Kingdom to make Lolita.

1961: Kubrick Moves to England

In 1961, Stanley Kubrick left the United States and settled in England. This move would have a significant impact on his career, allowing him greater artistic control over his films.

1963: Names "I Vitelloni" as top film

In 1963, when asked by Cinema magazine to name his favorite films, Kubrick listed Federico Fellini's "I Vitelloni" as number one in his Top 10 list.

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1965: Kubrick Buys Abbots Mead

In 1965, Stanley Kubrick purchased Abbots Mead on Barnet Lane, near the Elstree/Borehamwood studio complex in England. He used this home as his primary workspace for the next 14 years, managing all aspects of four films from there.

1975: Time magazine interview

In a 1975 interview with Time magazine, Kubrick stated that the essence of a dramatic form is to let an idea come over people without it being plainly stated and that realism is the best way to dramatize argument and ideas.

1978: Kubrick moves to Childwickbury Manor

In 1978, Kubrick relocated to Childwickbury Manor in Hertfordshire. This stately home became both a residence and a workplace, with stables converted into production rooms.

1999: Eyes Wide Shut Release and Kubrick's Death

In 1999, Stanley Kubrick hosted a screening for his family and the stars of his final film, the erotic drama Eyes Wide Shut, a few days before he died at the age of 70.

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