Steven Spielberg Family Tree: The Story Behind Hollywood's Defining Director

Steven Allan Spielberg, born 18 December 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, is one of the most-influential film directors of all time — three-time Oscar winner (Best Director for Schindler's List 1993, Saving Private Ryan 1998; Best Picture for Schindler's List); co-founder of DreamWorks SKG (1994).

The Family's Roots: Eastern European Jewish

The Spielberg family is Jewish, of Eastern European (Ukrainian) descent.

His Parents

Father: Arnold Spielberg (1917–2020) — electrical engineer who worked at RCA and GE; pioneer of early commercial computer engineering; died at 103.

Mother: Leah Adler (née Posner; 1920–2017) — concert pianist; later ran the Hollywood kosher restaurant The Milky Way.

His Siblings

Anne Spielberg, born 1949 — screenwriter (Big).

Sue Spielberg, born 1953 — sister.

Nancy Spielberg, born 1956 — film producer; Anchor of Hope Films.

His First Wife: Amy Irving

Amy Irving — actress; Steven's first wife from November 1985 to 1989.

Son with Amy

Max Spielberg, born June 1985 — son; documentary filmmaker.

His Second Wife: Kate Capshaw

Kate Capshaw — actress (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom); Steven's second wife from October 1991.

Their Children + Adopted Children

Theo Spielberg, born 1988 — adopted son (Kate's son from before).

Sasha Spielberg, born 1990 — daughter; musician.

Sawyer Spielberg, born 1992 — son.

Mikaela George Spielberg, born 1996 — adopted daughter.

Destry Allyn Spielberg, born 1996 — daughter; filmmaker.

The Spielberg Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Eastern European Jewish; raised in Cincinnati, Phoenix, Saratoga (CA).

Father: Arnold Spielberg (1917–2020) — electrical engineer.

Mother: Leah Adler (1920–2017) — concert pianist; restaurateur.

Sisters: Anne (b. 1949) — screenwriter; Sue; Nancy (b. 1956) — film producer.

First Wife: Amy Irving (m. 1985, div. 1989).

Son with Amy: Max Spielberg (b. June 1985) — documentary filmmaker.

Second Wife: Kate Capshaw (m. October 1991).

Children with Kate: Theo (adopted, b. 1988); Sasha (b. 1990) — musician; Sawyer (b. 1992); Mikaela (adopted, b. 1996); Destry (b. 1996) — filmmaker.

Steven Spielberg:

  • Born 18 December 1946, Cincinnati
  • California State Long Beach; first major film The Sugarland Express (1974)
  • Jaws (1975); Close Encounters (1977); Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981); E.T. (1982); Indiana Jones series; Jurassic Park (1993); Schindler's List (1993); Saving Private Ryan (1998); Munich (2005); Lincoln (2012); Bridge of Spies (2015); The Post (2017); West Side Story (2021); The Fabelmans (2022; semi-autobiographical)
  • Co-founder, DreamWorks SKG (1994 with Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen)
  • Three Academy Awards (two Best Director; one Best Picture)
  • Kennedy Center Honors: 2006; Presidential Medal of Freedom: 2015

What the Spielberg Family Story Teaches Us

An electrical-engineer father who lived to 103. A concert-pianist mother who ran a kosher Hollywood restaurant. Three sisters. A first marriage that ended after four years and produced a filmmaker son. A second marriage of 30+ years that combined his and her children — biological and adopted. A career that spans 50+ years and reshaped Hollywood.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Spielberg story carries the same lesson. Blended families combine adopted and biological children on the same tree. The Spielberg family has six children across two marriages — and they are all on the tree together. Write down every child — adopted, biological, blended. The complete tree is the honest tree.

👉 Start building your family legacy today with Family Root App

📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available sources and records. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not aim to infringe on any individual's privacy or personal rights. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.