Michael Moore is an acclaimed American filmmaker, author, and liberal political commentator, who is best known for his provocative and thought-provoking work in documentary filmmaking. Moore was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1954, and grew up in a working-class family, which greatly influenced his political views and activism. His father, Richard Moore, worked in an assembly line, and his mother, Helen Moore, was a secretary. Moore's ancestry is English, Scottish, and Irish, and he was raised Catholic, attending St. John Elementary School, a parochial primary school.
After high school, Moore's activism and interest in politics led him to become the youngest elected official in Flint's history when he joined the Flint school board at the age of 18. He then went on to study at the University of Michigan at Flint but did not graduate, choosing instead to found the "Flint Voice," a radical newspaper, of which he was the editor for a decade. Moore's journalistic career also included a stint as the editor of the "Mother Jones" magazine in San Francisco, although he only lasted a few months in the position.
Moore is a prolific and successful documentary filmmaker, with several of his films ranking among the highest-grossing documentaries of all time. His films include "Bowling for Columbine," "Fahrenheit 9/11," "Sicko," and "Capitalism: A Love Story," which have tackled various social and political issues, such as gun control, the Iraq War, the American health care system, and capitalism. Moore's cinematic works are often characterized by his distinctive storytelling style, which combines humor, irony, and a passionate advocacy for social justice.
In addition to his work in filmmaking, Moore is also a published author and has written several books that reflect his political views and activism. He is a self-described liberal who has been a vocal critic of globalization, large corporations, assault weapon ownership, the Iraq War, and U.S. President George W. Bush. In 2008, Moore released his first free movie on the Internet, "Slacker Uprising," documenting his personal crusade to encourage more Americans to vote in presidential elections. Moore's work has been both controversial and influential, inspiring debate and discussion on some of the most pressing issues of our time.