In Hollywood, it is important to stay relevant and maintain a cool factor; if you are unable to meet this quota you become irrelevant, a passing trend that is going to fade after the next big thing comes around. Not many people are able to stay around in Hollywood for thirty years and break the conventional rules of staying “cool” and “relevant.” Cameron Crowe is the exception.

After graduating high school at 15, Cameron Crowe began writing for Rolling Stone, deceiving the editors and telling them he was 18.

During Crowe’s years at Rolling Stone, he became a contributing editor and later an associate editor. In 1977 Crowe left the Rolling Stone staff, but continued free lance writing for several years. Crowe’s first movie and book, which would go on to be one of his biggest hits, was based after his 1979  undercover stint in high school at age 22, which allowed him to fully experience high school since he graduated at 15. This undercover investigation would create Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which would go on to launch the careers of Sean Penn, Nicholas Cage, and Forest Whitaker. Fast Times was a revolutionary view on the American teenager that painted a realistic picture. The movie is relatable to any teenager no matter the generation. Whether it is the average teenage girl who falls in love too easily or the regular teenage boy’s fascination with a girl (be careful when watching this movie with your parents--PG back then meant partial nudity!). This movie is a guaranteed laugh with characters that seem like they were pulled directly out of your high school.  Crowe continued relating to teenagers when he wrote and directed the 80s classic Say Anything. The movie features the famous scene in which John Cusack holds a boom box over his head and professes his love for Ione Skye, “Dianne.” This movie is an 80s classic that still makes teenage girls envy Dianne.

 Crowe’s fascination with Seattle was apparent when he set Say Anything and then his second movie Singles in Seattle. Singles, released in 1992, was set in the epitome of grunge in the 90s, Seattle. Matt Dylan’s long hair, Chuck Taylor’s, flannel and ripped up jeans display grunge perfectly. His grunge factor is increased by his membership in a band. The movie follows the love lives of a group of young people living in the big city with hilarious situations such as “going to Debbie country” where one of the girls joins video dating, the retro version of online dating. The movie has a cameo by three members of the popular grunge band Pearl Jam. It created the beginning of a friendship between the band and Cameron Crowe (Crowe would later direct a music video and a movie about the band in 2010). Singles paid homage to everything Seattle was in the 90s: grunge rock. The movie features several up-and-coming grunge bands that would later go on to find success, like Soundgarden the now popular rock band that got their start in Seattle. Crowe’s love for music plays a vital role in all of his movies, and is usually praised for the soundtracks which feature amazing music that makes the movies electric.

 Jerry Maguire was Crowe’s next and biggest project. The film received five Academy Award nominations including Best Original Screenplay as well as Best Picture. The film featured a big A-list actor, Tom Cruise, and a little known actress who would go on to later win an Academy Award, Renee Zellweger. The movie walked away with one award, Best Supporting Actor to Cuba Gooding Jr., who would say the infamous line, “Show me the money!” The movie is one of the most memorable movies in cinematic history. The movie features the two lines that everybody wants someone to say to them, “You complete me” and “You had me at hello.” The lines, however sappy they may be, are secretly everyone’s fantasy.

 Cameron Crowe wouldn’t be a stranger to Oscar nominations when his next project, an almost-biographical film of his life while writing for Rolling Stone. Almost Famous is a must-see for anyone who loves music and a good laugh at the insanity of rock stars. The movie would give Crowe his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The movie is about teenager William Miller and his tour around the country with the up-and-coming band Stillwater. The movie speaks to audiences on different levels; they find humor in Russell’s drunken speech on top of a roof declaring his rock star status, “I am a golden god!” Other audiences find inspiration in William’s perseverance and dedication to his dream; he travels around the world dealing with insane “band-aids” and reckless rock stars all to write a story that would land him on the front cover. Some audiences find the innocent romance between Penny Lane and William a touching reminder of the first love they could never attain and the reckless love between Penny Lane and Russell a painful reminder of a toxic love that could never be. Almost Famous gives various audiences different messages, all of them powerful and all of them meaningful. 

 Crowe also directed several music videos for artists such as Tom Petty, Paul Westerberg, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. He would also direct a commercial for Gap, which starred Orlando Bloom who would star in the indie-hit Elizabethtown.  The movie was a comedy/drama that focuses heavily on music and a unique love story that would make even the biggest pessimist say “aw”. Elizabethtown inspired many people to go on a road trip, just them, the road, and some good music. Crowe’s next big project would be his most recent projects, the documentary celebrating Pearl Jam’s 20^th anniversary and the family comedy We Bought a Zoo that has received praise and glowing reviews.

Crowe has managed to stay in Hollywood for 30 years and stay completely true to himself. He enjoys good music and writes about the music he enjoys. Not only does he write about the music, but he brings it to life in his films which relate to, at least, someone who can find solace in his films. His movies continue to touch different generations and create a bridge that allows teenagers to connect with their parents in a way that is usually thought impossible. Crowe’s movies allow parents and teenagers to sit down and laugh, cry, or be inspired for a few hours instead of the typical yelling and screaming that is a teenagers life with their parent. Audiences may find a good laugh in Jerry Maguire or Fast Times at Ridgemont High while others may get a good cry from Elizabethtown’s touching message, only to laugh a few moments later at the hilarious situation of Mitch Baylor’s memorial service. Some find inspiration in Almost Famous. All you need is drive, passion, and a lot of patience to live your dream. Cameron Crowe is far from Hollywood’s version of cool but to many audiences he is a legendary hero who re-defines cool.