The Lifestyle Investor - Investing, Passive Income, Wealth

246: The Hollywood Director Who Lives Life on His Terms Matt Earl Beesley

Jul 10, 2025

Matt Earl Beesley is a Hollywood director known for his work on classics like Braveheart and Christmas Vacation. In this conversation, he shares his inspiring journey from an intern to a successful director, emphasizing the power of collaboration over ego. He also dives into his passion project in Texas, which explores themes of immigration and family dynamics. Beesley reflects on meaningful storytelling and the mindset shifts learned from industry legends, offering sage advice for pursuing one's craft while maintaining a fulfilling life.

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Passion Ignites Career

Matt Earl Beesley developed a passion for film early, inspired by a childhood experience watching "The Great Escape."- He credits hard work ethic and passion for his journey from minimum wage intern to top-tier director.

ADVICE

Collaboration Beats Ego

Embrace collaboration by welcoming ideas from everyone on set, even those with humble roles like the coffee person.- Maintain a flexible game plan but be open to better ideas to enhance creativity and success.

ANECDOTE

Guest Star on Chicago Fire

Justin Donald fulfilled two childhood dreams by appearing as a fireman and actor extra on Chicago Fire thanks to Matt Earl Beesley.- The production crew warmly embraced Justin, jokingly dubbing him "Matt Bob."

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Today, we’re switching things up. This episode isn’t about money. It’s about meaning. And someone who knows a lot about that subject is Matt Earl Beesley, who turned a childhood love of film into a decades-long directing career—and is now channeling that experience into a passion project with a powerful message, all while building a life and career on his terms.

Matt Earl is a Hollywood director whose credits include Braveheart, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, CSI: Miami, Criminal Minds, Bosch, The Closer, and Chicago Fire, just to name a few. He’s worked side-by-side with legends like Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg. But beneath the glamorous résumé is a down-to-earth family man who chose passion over prestige and lifestyle over burnout.

In this conversation, Matt Earl shares how he broke into one of the most competitive industries in the world, the mindset that carried him from minimum wage intern to top-tier director, and why collaboration—not ego—is the secret weapon of success.

He also opens up about his new film project set in Texas—one that blends family, integrity, and the emotional complexity of immigration.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can pursue your craft, make a difference, and still live life on your terms—this episode is your inspiration.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1.) The secret to getting your foot in the door—even when everyone tells you your dream is impossible.

2.) The mindset shift Matt Earl learned from Clint Eastwood that transformed his approach to leadership and creativity.

3.) Why now might be the best time to invest in indie films—and how Matt Earl’s new movie gives investors a shot at doing good and doing well.

Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/246

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