John Schlesinger

From Grokipedia

John Richard Schlesinger CBE (16 February 1926 – 25 July 2003) was an English film, television, and stage director and occasional actor, recognized for his role in the British New Wave cinema of the 1960s and subsequent work in Hollywood. Born into a middle-class Jewish family in London, he studied English literature at Oxford University before entering the industry through amateur filmmaking and acting in minor film roles. His career spanned documentaries, feature films, theatre, opera, and television, with a versatility that included "kitchen sink" realism depicting working-class British life and later explorations of American urban grit and complex personal relationships.

Schlesinger gained prominence with his debut feature A Kind of Loving (1962), which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, followed by Billy Liar (1963) and Darling (1965), the latter earning praise for its satirical take on swinging London and Julie Christie's Oscar-winning performance. His transition to international acclaim came with Midnight Cowboy (1969), a raw portrayal of hustling and friendship in New York that secured the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, marking the first X-rated film to win Best Picture. Other notable works include Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), nominated for Best Director and featuring groundbreaking depictions of bisexuality and a same-sex kiss that stirred debate over censorship and representation.

Later films such as Marathon Man (1976) and Yanks (1979) showcased his skill with thriller and period drama genres, while television efforts like An Englishman Abroad (1983) highlighted his narrative economy. Openly gay, Schlesinger lived with photographer Michael Childers for over three decades, a relationship that influenced his unflinching approach to themes of sexuality and identity. He died in Palm Springs, California, from complications following a stroke in 2001, after life support was withdrawn due to breathing difficulties.

In brief

John Richard Schlesinger ( SHLESS-in-jər; 16 February 1926 – 25 July 2003) was an English film, television and theatre director, and actor. He emerged in the early 1960s as a leading light of the British New Wave, before embarking on a successful career in Hollywood, often directing films dealing with provocative subject matter, combined with his status as one of the rare openly gay directors working in mainstream films. Schlesinger started his career making British kitchen sink dramas A Kind of Loving (1962) and Billy Liar (1963), and the Thomas Hardy adaptation Far from the Madding Crowd (1967).

He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Midnight Cowboy (1969) and was Oscar-nominated for Darling (1965) and Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971). He gained acclaim for his Hollywood films The Day of the Locust (1975) and Marathon Man (1976). His later films include Madame Sousatzka (1988) and Cold Comfort Farm (1995).