József "Joe" Eszterhas (born November 23, 1944, Csákánydoroszló, Hungary) is a Hungarian-American writer, best known for his work on the pulp erotic films Basic Instinct and Showgirls. He has also written several non-fiction books, including an autobiography entitled Hollywood Animal.
Eszterhas' first screenplay to be produced was F.I.S.T., directed by Norman Jewison, and although it was stated by star Sylvester Stallone that he himself rewrote t...
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József "Joe" Eszterhas (born November 23, 1944, Csákánydoroszló, Hungary) is a Hungarian-American writer, best known for his work on the pulp erotic films Basic Instinct and Showgirls. He has also written several non-fiction books, including an autobiography entitled Hollywood Animal.
Eszterhas' first screenplay to be produced was F.I.S.T., directed by Norman Jewison, and although it was stated by star Sylvester Stallone that he himself rewrote the majority of the film, Eszterhas denies this assertion, and Stallone's lack of screenwriting credits suggests he may have been exaggerating. He then contributed to the script of 1983's highly successful Flashdance. Other films he wrote include Jagged Edge, Jade, Betrayed, and Sliver.
Eszterhas re-entered the limelight in 1992, writing the screenplay for the major hit Basic Instinct. The screenplay resulted in his being accused of homophobia and misogyny, although he supported changes made to the film's dialogue requested by gay rights groups...
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