Anselmo, a man of Italian heritage, was born in Mexico and spent his formative years in New York City and Connecticut. His journey in life took a dramatic turn when he served as a US Marine Corps combat veteran in Beirut, Lebanon during the 1980s.
As a filmmaker, Anselmo drew inspiration from his own experiences, crafting an autobiographical love story in his film Stateside (2004),which is set during his teenage years.
Anselmo's entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Seven Hills Pictures in 1998, following the success of his film The Outfitters (1999),which received an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival.
Anselmo's father, Rene Anselmo, played a pivotal role in the media industry, co-founding the predecessor of Univision and the Spanish International Network. In 1984, he launched the world's first privately owned international satellite, PanAmSat, using his personal funds. The company was later sold to CNN and eventually to General Motors in the early 1990s. Rene Anselmo was recognized for his contributions to the space industry, ranking among the top 10 "100 People Who Made a Difference in Space" by SpaceNews International in 2004.
Beyond his film career, Anselmo is a multifaceted individual with diverse interests. He is one of the founders and partners of the Catholic publication Magnificat and has been involved in the construction of Catholic monasteries in Chile, the Catskill Mountains, and Lourdes, France. Additionally, he has owned a restaurant, ranch, and wine tasting room in Northern California called Anselmo Vineyards.
Anselmo's skills extend beyond the film industry, as he is a helicopter pilot and fluent in four languages. He is also known for his old-fashioned approach to writing, handcrafting all of his scripts, letters, and short stories.
In 1997, Anselmo published a novel titled "The Cadillac Of Six-By's" through Harper Collins, showcasing his literary talents.
