Sidney Arthur Lumet (/luË ËˆmÉ›t/ loo-MET; June 25, 1924 â€" April 9,
2011) was an American director, producer, and screenwriter with over
50 films to his credit. He was nominated five times for the Academy
Award: four for Best Director for 12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day
Afternoon (1975), Network (1976), and The Verdict (1982) and one for
Best Adapted Screenplay for Prince of the City (1981). He did not win
an individual Academy Award, but did receive an Academy Honorary
Award, and 14 of his films were nominated for Oscars, including
Network, which was nominated for ten and won four.According to The
Encyclopedia of Hollywood Lumet was one of the most prolific
filmmakers of the modern era, directing more than one movie a year on
average since his directorial debut in 1957. Turner Classic Movies
notes his "strong direction of actors", "vigorous storytelling" and
the "social realism" in his best work. Film critic Roger Ebert
described him as "one of the finest craftsmen and warmest
humanitarians among all film directors." Lumet was also known as an
"actor's director," having worked with the best of them during his
career, probably more than "any other director." Sean Connery, who
acted in five of his films, considered him one of his favorite
directors, and one who had that "vision thing."A member of the maiden
cohort of New York's Actors Studio, Lumet began his directorial career
in Off-Broadway productions, then became a highly efficient TV
director. His first movie, 12 Angry Men (1957), was a courtroom drama
centered on a tense jury deliberation. Lumet subsequently divided his
energies among political and social drama films, as well as
adaptations of literary plays and novels, big stylish stories, New
York-based black comedies, and realistic crime dramas, including
Serpico and Prince of the City. As a result of directing 12 Angry Men,
he was also responsible for leading the first wave of directors who
made a successful transition from TV to movies.
2011) was an American director, producer, and screenwriter with over
50 films to his credit. He was nominated five times for the Academy
Award: four for Best Director for 12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day
Afternoon (1975), Network (1976), and The Verdict (1982) and one for
Best Adapted Screenplay for Prince of the City (1981). He did not win
an individual Academy Award, but did receive an Academy Honorary
Award, and 14 of his films were nominated for Oscars, including
Network, which was nominated for ten and won four.According to The
Encyclopedia of Hollywood Lumet was one of the most prolific
filmmakers of the modern era, directing more than one movie a year on
average since his directorial debut in 1957. Turner Classic Movies
notes his "strong direction of actors", "vigorous storytelling" and
the "social realism" in his best work. Film critic Roger Ebert
described him as "one of the finest craftsmen and warmest
humanitarians among all film directors." Lumet was also known as an
"actor's director," having worked with the best of them during his
career, probably more than "any other director." Sean Connery, who
acted in five of his films, considered him one of his favorite
directors, and one who had that "vision thing."A member of the maiden
cohort of New York's Actors Studio, Lumet began his directorial career
in Off-Broadway productions, then became a highly efficient TV
director. His first movie, 12 Angry Men (1957), was a courtroom drama
centered on a tense jury deliberation. Lumet subsequently divided his
energies among political and social drama films, as well as
adaptations of literary plays and novels, big stylish stories, New
York-based black comedies, and realistic crime dramas, including
Serpico and Prince of the City. As a result of directing 12 Angry Men,
he was also responsible for leading the first wave of directors who
made a successful transition from TV to movies.
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