Joe Eszterhas at 81: The legendary screenwriter behind Basic Instinct and Showgirls reflects on sex, money, and Hollywood warfare
By
Patrik Sandberg
Summary
Profile of legendary screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, the Hungarian-born writer behind iconic and controversial films like Basic Instinct, Flashdance, Showgirls, and Jagged Edge. At 81, he reflects on his career as one of Hollywood's highest-paid and most notorious writers, who broke both rules and records — including being paid more than directors and being the first writer to bank first-dollar film grosses. The piece explores his tales of sex, money, and Hollywood warfare across a career spanning decades.
Source
Twitter / XJoe Eszterhas at 81: The legendary screenwriter behind Basic Instinct and Showgirls reflects on sex, money, and Hollywood warfareinterviewmagazine.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledJoe's known as one of the only writers in Hollywood history to get paid more for writing scripts than the directors were paid to film them.
He's also the first writer ever to bank first-dollar film grosses.
At his peak, the Hungarian-born voice behind such gonzo classics as Flashdance, Basic Instinct, Jagged Edge, Sliver, and Showgirls was labeled a living legend by ABC News.
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