Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher refers to two closely linked subjects centered on the life of John E. du Pont and the Schultz brothers. It is the name of Foxcatcher Farm, a rural estate in Centre County, Pennsylvania, that housed a private wrestling program funded by the du Pont family. In 1996, at Foxcatcher Farm, John E. du Pont fatally shot David Schultz, a former Olympic wrestler, and wounded his brother Mark Schultz during an effort to form a private training facility. Du Pont was arrested, tried, and convicted of murder; he died in prison in 2010.

Foxcatcher is also the title of a 2014 American biographical drama film directed by Bennett Miller. It stars Steve Carell as John E. du Pont, Channing Tatum as Mark Schultz, and Mark Ruffalo as David Schultz. The film dramatizes the relationship between du Pont and the Schultz brothers and the events surrounding the 1996 murder at Foxcatcher Farm. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and was released later that year. The production received widespread critical acclaim for its performances and direction and earned multiple award nominations.

The film and the incident have influenced popular culture and discussions around fame, wealth, and the pressures of elite sport. Foxcatcher remains associated with the convergence of a private philanthropic persona, a professional wrestling program, and a high-profile act of violence that ended a dynasty of amateur wrestling ambition.