Stories from the set

The original title of the film contains a play on words: American Beauty is a hybrid variety of red rose; this fact is repeatedly played upon throughout the film and was also used in its advertising.

The film's tagline "Look Closer" appeared by chance when a sign with these words on Lester's desk caught the director's eye.

The hand and stomach depicted on the film's poster actually belong not to Mena Suvari, but to actress and model Chloe Hunter.

According to Alan Ball, the film owes much of its existence to a moment when the screenwriter was sitting in a plaza in front of the World Trade Center and watched a paper bag floating in the air — it was this scene that prompted him to sit down at his desk.

While Annette Bening got the role of Carolyn right away, besides Kevin Spacey, Chevy Chase, Jeff Daniels, and Tom Hanks also vied for the role of Lester (the latter went on to star in Sam Mendes's next film, «Road to Perdition»).

The role of Angela Hayes was unsuccessfully offered to seventeen-year-old Kirsten Dunst.

Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the role of Ricky Fitts.

When Terry Gilliam declined to direct the film, DreamWorks executive producer Steven Spielberg personally recommended Sam Mendes for the position.

The school scenes were filmed at South High School in Torrance, California. The dance number by the basketball team's cheerleading squad was directed by singer and choreographer Paula Abdul.

During the marijuana scenes, Wes Bentley and Kevin Spacey smoked honey tobacco.