Chris Columbus Biography: Wife, Movies, Age, Net Worth, Children, Height

Christopher Joseph Columbus, known professionally as Chris Columbus, is an American filmmaker celebrated for directing iconic family and fantasy films, including Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the first two Harry Potter films, which defined a generation of cinema with their heartfelt storytelling and visual magic.

Starting as a screenwriter for hits like Gremlins and The Goonies, he transitioned to directing, blending humor and emotion in box-office successes that grossed billions worldwide.

His work as a producer through 1492 Pictures, including The Help and Night at the Museum, underscores his lasting influence on mainstream entertainment.

Profile

• Full Name: Christopher Joseph Columbus
• Stage Name: Chris Columbus
• Born: 10 September 1958
• Age: 67 years old
• Birthplace: Spangler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Director, Producer, Screenwriter
• Height: 1.74m
• Parents: Alex Columbus and Mary Irene Columbus
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Monica Devereux (m. 1983)
• Children: Eleanor Columbus, Violet Columbus, Brendan Columbus, Isabella Columbus
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $90 million

Early Life and Education

Christopher Joseph Columbus was born on September 10, 1958, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, to Alex Columbus, a coal miner and aluminum plant worker, and Mary Irene Columbus, a factory worker.

Information about his siblings is not publicly known.

Raised in Champion, Ohio, he discovered his passion for filmmaking through comic books and 8mm camera experiments as a teen.

Columbus attended John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, Ohio, and later studied film at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he sold his first screenplay, Jocks, during his senior year.

His ethnicity is American of Italian and Czech descent, and his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Chris Columbus launched his career in the early 1980s as a screenwriter, penning Reckless (1984) and catching Steven Spielberg’s attention with Gremlins (1984), a dark comedy hit that led to scripts for The Goonies (1985) and Young Sherlock Holmes (1985).

His directorial debut came with Adventures in Babysitting (1987), a teen comedy that showcased his knack for blending chaos with heart.

He achieved global fame with Home Alone (1990), a holiday classic grossing over $476 million, followed by its 1992 sequel, cementing his reputation for family-friendly blockbusters.

Columbus’s versatility shone in the 1990s with Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), a Robin Williams-led comedy that grossed $441 million and highlighted his skill with emotional narratives, and Nine Months (1995), a romantic comedy with Hugh Grant.

His work on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) brought J.K. Rowling’s world to life, collectively earning over $1.8 billion and setting a high bar for the franchise.

As a producer, he founded 1492 Pictures, backing diverse projects like Bicentennial Man (1999), The Help (2011), which earned an Oscar nomination, and the Night at the Museum trilogy, while also directing Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010).

Columbus remains a pivotal figure in Hollywood, with recent projects including the animated The Christmas Chronicles series (2018–2020) for Netflix and producing The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021).

His ability to craft universally appealing stories, often inspired by his own family life, continues to resonate, while his mentorship through 1492 Pictures nurtures new talent.

His legacy spans nostalgic classics and modern streaming hits, balancing commercial success with emotional depth that appeals across generations.

Social Media

Chris Columbus does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Chris Columbus married choreographer Monica Devereux in 1983, whom he met while both were starting their careers in New York.

They have four children—Eleanor, Violet, Brendan, and Isabella—all of whom have appeared in his films, with Eleanor and Violet pursuing acting and production roles.

The family resides in San Francisco, where Columbus values a grounded lifestyle, often citing his children as inspiration for his family-centric stories.

Filmography

• Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
• Home Alone (1990)
• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
• Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
• Nine Months (1995)
• Stepmom (1998)
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
• Rent (2005)
• Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
• Pixels (2015)

Net Worth

Chris Columbus has an estimated net worth of $90 million.

His wealth primarily stems from directing and producing major films like Home Alone, the Harry Potter series, and Night at the Museum, along with screenplay residuals from Gremlins and The Goonies.

His production company, 1492 Pictures, and involvement in streaming projects like The Christmas Chronicles further bolster his financial success.