Quentin Tarantino's Relationship With Fame and Family History Explored
Comedian Margaret Cho recently reflected on her past romance with the Oscar-winning filmmaker, while details surrounding his long-standing vow to his mother continue to draw public interest.
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has built a massive $150 million fortune and a legendary Hollywood career, yet his path to fame continues to attract unique attention regarding his personal life and past relationships.
During a recent episode of her podcast, comedian Margaret Cho opened up about dating Tarantino during his meteoric rise in the 1990s following the massive success of Pulp Fiction. Cho recalled being stunned by the overwhelming deference the young director received during awards season.
"I've never witnessed the kind of power that he had walking into a room," Cho said during the podcast, adding that legendary directors like Martin Scorsese and Billy Wilder would stand to greet him wherever they went. She noted that people constantly approached him trying to pitch scripts and projects.
Despite the intense environment and sudden industry-wide adoration, Cho observed that Tarantino remained remarkably grounded at the time. She mentioned that he stayed level-headed and continued driving an older, battered Geo Metro car.
The former couple has remained on good terms over the years, though Cho noted they rarely speak today largely because Tarantino does not use a telephone. In 2014, Cho previously praised her ex-boyfriend as an incredible artist, calling him one of the greatest American treasures.
Beyond his romantic history, details regarding Tarantino's childhood and family boundaries have also remained a topic of public discussion. The director previously revealed that he made a vow at age 12 never to financially support his mother, Connie Zastoupil, after she made a sarcastic remark about his writing career during an argument over schoolwork.
Recalling the incident on a podcast episode, Tarantino explained that his mother dismissed his early writing efforts during a tirade about his academic performance. That prompted him to decide that she would never see any financial success from him if he became a successful writer.
While Tarantino has largely kept that promise—stating he never bought her houses, vacations, or luxury cars—he admitted to helping her out of a financial jam with the IRS on at least one occasion. Despite the lack of material support, Zastoupil stated in a previous interview that she is proud of her son, loves him, and supports his growing family.