Riley Stearns

Riley Stearns (born June 29, 1986) is an American filmmaker best known for directing the films Faults (2014) and The Art of Self-Defense (2019).[1]

Riley Stearns
Born (1986-06-29) June 29, 1986
Austin, Texas, United States
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active2008–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2010; div. 2017)​

Early life

Stearns was born on June 29, 1986 in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Pflugerville, Texas.[2] He attended University of Texas at Austin, but dropped out after being turned down by the film program.[3]

Career

Initially wanting to be a musician, Stearns became involved in filmmaking after visiting various movie sets and after being advised on being a screenwriter by Final Destination 3 director James Wong.[4]

Stearns worked as a writer for Cartoon Network's Tower Prep, and for the television series My Own Worst Enemy and Bionic Woman.[5] His short film The Cub became his first film to be premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and also to be featured by Vice Media.[6][7]

He released his feature debut Faults in 2014. It was later chosen to be part of the Best Unproduced Scripts Black List of 2013. Stearns wrote and directed a second feature, The Art of Self-Defense, which was released in 2019.[1] In 2022, he released his third feature film Dual.[8]

Personal life

In 2010, he married actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, whom he met during an ocean cruise in 2002.[9] She starred in his first two short films, before starring in his feature film debut, Faults in 2014.[10]

The couple separated in 2017, and divorced that year after Winstead left him for actor Ewan McGregor.[11][12]

Stearns is a brown belt[13] in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and won a bronze medal at the 2022 ADCC Open in the 70kg Masters Pro division.[14]

Filmography
Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Producer Writer
2011 Magnificat Yes No Yes
2012 Casque Yes Yes Yes
2013 The Cub Yes Yes Yes
2014 Faults Yes No Yes Directorial debut
2019 The Art of Self-Defense Yes No Yes
2022 Dual Yes Yes Yes

References
  1. "'The Art of Self-Defense' filmmaker Riley Stearns talks toxic masculinity and tattoos". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  2. "SXSW Filmmaker Spotlight: Exploring Truths, Lies and Cults in 'Faults'". KUT 90.5. March 15, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  3. Meet the 2014 AFI Filmmakers #1: ‘Faults’ Director On How Not to Lose Ten Pounds on Set. Indiewire. 7 November 2014.
  4. "Filmmaker Interview: RILEY STEARNS, writer/director of FAULTS". SAG Indie. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  5. Interview: Riley Stearns. Film Comment. 23 February 2015
  6. "The Cub by Riley Stearns: VICE Shorts". Vice Media. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. "Director Riley Stearns on his Short Film, 'The Cub'". Vice Media. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  8. "Riley Stearns explains the bizarre performances in his micro sci-fi movie Dual". Polygon. April 24, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  9. "Mary Elizabeth Winstead: "Fargo Helped Me Embrace My Sexual Side"". Glamour. April 27, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  10. "Filmmaker Interview: RILEY STEARNS, writer/director of FAULTS". SAG Indie. March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  11. Mary Elizabeth Winstead Splits from Husband Riley Stearns: 'We Are Still Ride or Die'. People. 14 May 2017.
  12. "Birds of Prey Cast Interview". Glamour UK. January 15, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTh-ZaA8OdY
  14. https://arena.flograppling.com/event/b754d945-190c-80a6-8ce4-1c10b0c27f92
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