Irwin Lawrence "Paul" Mazursky (April 25, 1930 â€" June 30, 2014) was
an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. Known for his
dramatic comedies that often dealt with modern social issues, he was
nominated for five Academy Awards: three times for Best Original
Screenplay, once for Best Adapted Screenplay, and once for Best
Picture for An Unmarried Woman (1978). His other films include Bob &
Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), Blume in Love (1973), Harry and Tonto
(1974), Moscow on the Hudson (1984), and Down and Out in Beverly Hills
(1986).He was born in to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, the
son of Jean (née Gerson), a piano player for dance classes, and David
Mazursky, a laborer. Mazursky's grandfather was an immigrant from
Ukraine. Mazursky graduated from Brooklyn College in 1951.Mazursky
began his film career as an actor in Stanley Kubrick's first feature,
Fear and Desire (1953). Kubrick asked for verification of his name for
the credits and at that point he decided on a first-name change to
Paul. Two years later he appeared in a featured position as one of a
classroom of teenagers with issues towards authority in The Blackboard
Jungle (1955). His acting career continued for several decades,
starting with parts in episodes of television series such as The
Twilight Zone and The Rifleman.Mazursky appeared in supporting roles
or cameos in most of his own films. In Moon over Parador (1988), with
the Rio Opera House available for only three days of shooting,
Mazursky cast himself as a dictator's mother when Judith Malina was
unavailable, playing the character in drag.
an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. Known for his
dramatic comedies that often dealt with modern social issues, he was
nominated for five Academy Awards: three times for Best Original
Screenplay, once for Best Adapted Screenplay, and once for Best
Picture for An Unmarried Woman (1978). His other films include Bob &
Carol & Ted & Alice (1969), Blume in Love (1973), Harry and Tonto
(1974), Moscow on the Hudson (1984), and Down and Out in Beverly Hills
(1986).He was born in to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, the
son of Jean (née Gerson), a piano player for dance classes, and David
Mazursky, a laborer. Mazursky's grandfather was an immigrant from
Ukraine. Mazursky graduated from Brooklyn College in 1951.Mazursky
began his film career as an actor in Stanley Kubrick's first feature,
Fear and Desire (1953). Kubrick asked for verification of his name for
the credits and at that point he decided on a first-name change to
Paul. Two years later he appeared in a featured position as one of a
classroom of teenagers with issues towards authority in The Blackboard
Jungle (1955). His acting career continued for several decades,
starting with parts in episodes of television series such as The
Twilight Zone and The Rifleman.Mazursky appeared in supporting roles
or cameos in most of his own films. In Moon over Parador (1988), with
the Rio Opera House available for only three days of shooting,
Mazursky cast himself as a dictator's mother when Judith Malina was
unavailable, playing the character in drag.
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