Trivia

Directed 6 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Ellen Burstyn, Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Natalie Portman, Brendan Fraser, and Hong Chau. Portman and Fraser won for their performances in his movies.

His favorite films include Angel Heart (1987), Jacob's Ladder (1990), Brazil (1985), Time Bandits (1981), Once Upon A Time in The West (1968), Saturday Night Fever (1977), Do The Right Thing (1989) and West Side Story (1961).

He routinely does not shave or cut his hair while shooting a film.

Attended Harvard University.

Contributed a message to the book Satoshi Anime Zen-Shigoto (Satoshi Kon's Animation Works), a book dedicated to the works of Japanese animation director Satoshi Kon who died in 2011. Kon had personally met Aronofsky in 2001 shortly after the release of Aronfosky's Pi (1998), and before the release of Kon's Millennium Actress (2001).

In March 2011, Aronofsky announced he was leaving production of The Wolverine (2013) because it would require him to be filming outside of the United States for too long. He released a statement specifying, "I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won't be able to see the project through".

Was engaged to British actress Rachel Weisz.

His influences include Akira Kurosawa, Roman Polanski, Terry Gilliam, Shinya Tsukamoto, Hubert Selby, Jr, Spike Lee, Satoshi Kon and Jim Jarmusch.

Studied filmmaking at Harvard University under Miklós Jancsó.

He and his fiancée, Rachel Weisz, became parents of a boy on May 31st, 2006. They named him Henry Chance.

Cites Time Bandits (1981) as his 'desert island' DVD choice.

Attended the American Film Institute.

1983 graduate of the Mark Twain I.S. 239 for the Gifted & Talented in Brooklyn, NY. He was inducted into the school's "Alumni Hall of Fame" on March 26 2015.

He has expressed a desire to direct an adaptation of the DC Comics character Superman.

He's a fan of the Belgian film directors Jean-Pierre Dardenne) and Luc Dardenne, aka the Dardennes brothers. He referred to them as "my heroes" in a post on his official Twitter account in 2014, after he attended the premiere of their film Two Days, One Night (2014) at the New York International Film Festival. And while promoting Black Swan (2010) in 2010, Aronofsky told Alistair Harkness from 'The Scotsman' that he changed his entire directing style for The Wrestler (2008) after seeing their work for the first time.

During 2001/2002, he was attached to direct and co-write a screen adaption of Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One". Darren's co-writer was, of course, Frank Miller, who had also written "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" and the "Sin City" graphic novels.

Attended Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York. Marisa Tomei also attended this high school, but graduated earlier.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 68th Venice International Film Festival in 2011.

Was considered to direct Watchmen (2009).

Working on Batman: Year One (2011) with Frank Miller. (December 2002)

Member of the 'Dramatic' jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001.

Split from Rachel Weisz [November, 2010].

Was considered to direct Man of Steel (2013).

He attempted to make a Batman: Year One adaptation but it never got off the ground. His choice for the title role was Joaquin Phoenix.

Has cast the following actors more than once: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Samia Shoaib, Ajay Naidu, Jennifer Connelly, Ellen Burstyn, Stanley B. Herman and Marcia Jean Kurtz.

Was offered the director's chair for X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

Was considered to direct Gambit (????).

Grew up in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn.

Named among Fade In magazine's 100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know in 2005.

Son of Abraham Aronofsky and Charlotte Aronofsky.

2004: Lived in New York with actress Rachel Weisz.

Head of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival in 2015.

Currently working on Lone Wolf and Cub. (March 2004)

Completed The Fountain (2006), working on "Flicker" and "Lone Wolf and Cub" scripts. (July 2006)

He has directed one film that has been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Black Swan (2010).

His parents and the parents of Vicki Roberts are neighbors; they live one house away from each other in a private community in Florida.

His first computer was a TRS-80.