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Eric Steel

b. 1964

American filmmaker

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About Eric Steel

Born 1964. Eric Steel is an American film director, film producer, screenwriter and director.

Eric Carl Steel (born ) is an American filmmaker and producer, best known for his controversial 2006 documentary The Bridge.

Career The Bridge Steel's directorial debut was the 2006 documentary The Bridge. After reading about suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world's most often used venues for suicide, he had the bridge filmed from multiple locations throughout 2004, to obtain footage of actual suicides. In obtaining permits to film the bridge, Steel did not reveal to bridge officials that his goal was to film people committing suicide. Instead he stated that his purpose was to make a film capturing "the powerful, spectacular intersection of monument and nature that takes place every day at the Golden Gate Bridge". A number of suicides were captured on film. The resulting footage was combined with interviews with family and friends of the victims, along with other witnesses.

Personal life Steel was born in to Bette-Ann Gwathmey, and was a stepson of Charles Gwathmey. He attended Yale University. Steel married Frank Christopher Ledda in 2015, whom he met at Whistler, British Columbia.

Filmography As producer Bringing Out the Dead (1999) Angela's Ashes (1999) Shaft (2000) Julie & Julia (2009)

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Important facts

Born
1964
Birth century
Nationality
Education
Yale University

People in Eric Steel's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Eric Steel's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Eric Steel?

American filmmaker

When was Eric Steel born?

Eric Steel was born in 1964.

What is Eric Steel's occupation?

Eric Steel is a film director, film producer, screenwriter and director.

What nationality is Eric Steel?

Eric Steel is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Eric Steel

· Wikidata: Q3056411

· DBpedia: Eric Steel

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Eric Steel. https://biography.guide/eric-steel/

MLA: "Eric Steel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/eric-steel/.

Chicago: "Eric Steel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/eric-steel/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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