Curiosidades

Based his screenplay for Taxi Driver: Motorista de Táxi (1976) on his own experiences of living in Los Angeles, away from his familiar surroundings, feeling completely isolated and struggling with severe depression and contemplating suicide.

Credits movie critic Pauline Kael with helping start his career by writing him a recommendation letter for film school.

Originally directed O Exorcista: O Início (2004), but his final version was rejected by the producers for not being enough of a marketable mainstream horror film product. Schrader was replaced by Renny Harlin, who re-shot about 80% of the film. Schrader received no credit for that version. However, Morgan Creek Pictures did a limited release of Schrader's Domínio: Prólogo de O Exorcista (2005) on May 20, 2005. The DVD was released on October 25, 2005. Now two radically different versions exist, that share some story elements, some footage and some cast members.

Like François Truffaut, Peter Bogdanovich, Jean-Luc Godard, Wim Wenders or Olivier Assayas, Schrader began his film career as a film critic (for the L.A. Free Press and Cinema Magazine).

Being raised on Calvinist principles and severe parentage, he saw his first movie, O Fantástico Super-Homem (1961), at age 17.

Has written (or co-written) the screenplays for two 'Best Picture' Academy Award nominees (Taxi Driver: Motorista de Táxi (1976) and Touro Indomável (1980)), but would only receive his first Academy Award nomination for 'Best Screenplay' (original or adapted) more than 40 years working in the business - he got nominated for Fé Corrompida (2017).

Directed two Academy Award nominated performances: James Coburn and Nick Nolte, who both starred in Temporada de Caça (1997). Coburn won the Academy Award for 'Best Supporting Actor'.

Counts O Batedor de Carteiras (1959), A Rotina Tem Seu Encanto (1962) and Performance (1970) among his all-time favorite films.

Parents Charles Allan and Joan (Fisher) Schrader were strict Dutch Calvinists. His mother's family (originally named Visser) were Dutch, and his father was of German and English descent.

While writing the film Taxi Driver: Motorista de Táxi (1976), he envisioned Jeff Bridges as Travis Bickle, Cybill Shepherd as Betsy, Peter Boyle as Wizard, Harvey Keitel as Sport, and an unknown actress for Iris.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival in 2007.

Received his Bachelor's degree with a minor in theology from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1968.

He blamed executive meddling for the intentional toning down of Travis Bickle's racism in Taxi Driver: Motorista de Táxi (1976).

Received his Master's degree in Film Studies from the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television.

Has a daughter, Molly Johanna Schrader (born 1984), and a son, Sam Schrader (born 1988) with his wife Mary Beth Hurt.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 37th Berlin International Film Festival in 1987.

Currently lives in Westchester County, New York with his family (2005).

Member of the 'Dramatic' jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 1998.

Born on the same day as Danny Glover.

In his seventies, he has several times expressed his belief that the human race on Earth will have become extinct by the year 2050.

Younger brother of Leonard Schrader.

Brother-in-law of Chieko Schrader.