Steven Allan Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Leah Frances (Posner), a concert pianist and restaurateur, and Arnold Spielberg, an electrical engineer who worked in computer development.

Spielberg spent his younger years in Haddon Township, New Jersey, Phoenix, Arizona, and later Saratoga, California. He developed an interest in filmmaking as a child and began making short films.

Spielberg attended California State University Long Beach but dropped out to pursue his entertainment career.