May 1, 1969

Houston, Texas, USA

Anderson was born in Houston, Texas to Melver Leonard Anderson and Texas Ann Burroughs, the middle child of three brothers. His father was in advertising, and his mother was an archaeologist. He attended St. John's School, a private school in Houston, later used as a filming location for his second film, Rushmore. Anderson then studied philosophy at the University of Texas, where he met future collaborator Owen Wilson.

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After making a short, 14-minute version of Bottle Rocket, Anders... ... (read more...) on and Wilson attracted the notice of producer James L. Brooks who encouraged the duo. With his help they were able to get their short film into Sundance and secured funding for the feature-length version of Bottle Rocket.