
Gus Green Van Sant, Jr. (born July 24, 1952) is an American director, screenwriter, painter, photographer, musician, and author. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Achievement in Directing for his 1997 film Good Will Hunting and his 2008 film Milk, and won the Palme d'Or at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival for his film Elephant. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
His early career was devoted to directing television commercials in the Pacific Northwest. In his films, he has dealt with themes concerning homosexuality and other marginalized subcultures.
His filmography as writer and director includes an adaptation of Tom Robbins' novel Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, which features a diverse cast (Keanu Reeves, Roseanne Barr, Uma Thurman, and k.d. lang, with cameos by William S. Burroughs and Heather Graham, among others); and My Own Private Idaho, also starring Reeves as well as River Phoenix.
He wrote the screenplays for most of his early movies, and wrote one novel, Pink. A book of his photography has also been published, called 108 Portraits.
Known For

The Trainer
Gus Van Sant
2024

who is Gus Van Sant?
Himself
2024

Nicole Kidman: Eyes Wide Open
Self (interview)
2023

At the Video Store
Self
2019

Zeroville
Film Archive Curator
2019

Illegal Civilization 3
Self
2018

Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
Willamette Week Editor
2018

Xavier Dolan: Bound to Impossible
Self
2016

I Don't Belong Anywhere: The Cinema of Chantal Akerman
Self
2015

About Cinema
Self
2015

The Canyons
Dr. Campbell
2013

The Greatest Event in Television History
Self · (1 episode)
2012

Reflecting On A Journey: Good Will Hunting 15 Years Later
Self
2012

A Special Day
Self
2012

The Advocate for Fagdom
Self
2011

The Story of Film: An Odyssey
Self · (1 episode)
2011

Portlandia
Gus Van Sant · (1 episode)
2011

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
Self
2010

Making Paranoid Park
2008

Critic
Self
2008

In the Mood for Doyle
Self
2007

Paranoid Park
Guy Reading Newspaper (uncredited)
2007

Here’s Looking at You, Boy
Self
2007

Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema
Self
2006

Last Days
Phone Voice (voice)
2005

The Making of ‘My Own Private Idaho’
Self
2005

On the Set of 'Elephant': Rolling Through Time
Himself
2004

Leçon de Cinéma
Self · (1 episode)
2004

The Making of Last Days
Himself
2004

Saltlake Van Sant
Self
2003

About Elephant
Self
2003

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Gus Van Sant
2001

Rescued from the Closet
Self
2001

Finding Forrester
Library Assistant (uncredited)
2000

Psycho Path
Self - Director
2000

The Making of Drugstore Cowboy
1999

Strange Parallel
Self
1998

Guns on the Clackamas
1995

Made in the USA
Self
1993
Thank You for Supporting the Arts

Psycho
Man Talking to Man in Cowboy Hat (uncredited)
1998

The Director's Vision: Hollywood's Best Discuss Their Craft
himself
1998

Hi Octane
Self · (1 episode)
1994

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Funky Monks
Self
1991

My Own Private Idaho
Man Behind Hotel Counter (uncredited)
1991

Drugstore Cowboy
Himself (uncredited)
1989
Junior
Himself
1988

Mala Noche
Guy at Hotel (uncredited)
1987

Five Ways to Kill Yourself
1987