Director
Damien Chazelle
Damien Chazelle is an American filmmaker known for Whiplash and La La Land, and at 32 became the youngest person ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director.
Act I — Origin
Biography
Damien Sayre Chazelle (born January 19, 1985) is an American film director and screenwriter, born in Providence, Rhode Island, and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. Through his French father he holds dual American and French citizenship. He studied film at Harvard University, where his experience as a jazz drummer in high school later informed his breakthrough film.
Chazelle wrote and directed Whiplash (2014), a drama about an obsessive jazz drummer that won three Academy Awards, before directing the musical romance La La Land (2016) starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. La La Land received a record-tying 14 Academy Award nominations and won Chazelle the Best Director Oscar at age 32, making him the youngest winner in the category's history. He went on to direct the space race drama First Man (2018) and the Old Hollywood epic Babylon (2022).
Act II — The Work
The Chronology
- 2010s2014WhiplashDirector
- 2018First ManDirector
- 2020s2022BabylonDirector
Watch Damien Chazelle’s Films
Act III — The Numbers
Born
Birthplace
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Age
41
Computed from the birth date on file (January 19, 1985).
Years active
12
since first credit (2014)
Credited works
4
Counted from 4 confirmed film and TV credits on this profile.
Notable awards
3
Counted from the awards & recognition list below.
Frequently asked
How old is Damien Chazelle?
Damien Chazelle is 41 years old, born January 19, 1985.
Where was Damien Chazelle born?
Damien Chazelle was born in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
What is Damien Chazelle known for?
Damien Chazelle is an American filmmaker known for Whiplash and La La Land, and at 32 became the youngest person ever to win the Academy Award for Best Director.
What awards has Damien Chazelle won?
Documented awards for Damien Chazelle: Academy Award for Best Director — La La Land (2017); Golden Globe Award for Best Director — La La Land (2017); Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay — La La Land (2017).
Where can I watch Damien Chazelle's movies?
Based on titles from Damien Chazelle's filmography that are on Auteur Nova: Damien Chazelle's movies are currently streaming on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel in the US, as of August 21, 2026. Rent and buy options may also be available — see the Where to Watch details on each title's card above.
Act IV — Recognition
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award for Best Director — La La Land (2017)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Director — La La Land (2017)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay — La La Land (2017)
Closing Credits
Facts on this page are sourced and cited per Auteur Nova's editorial methodology. Hand-verified from Wikipedia, 2026-08-27. First Man's Best Visual Effects Oscar (awarded to the film's visual effects team, not Chazelle personally) was excluded here after cross-checking which individuals the Academy actually credited, following the same personal-vs-team attribution check applied to this round's other director records.