Directors〘Screenwriters〙♣
by angeliki_spatki | created - 08 Jan 2014 | updated - 7 months ago | Public࿙People who wrote directly for the screen࿚ (screenplays)
1. Federico Fellini
Writer | Le notti di Cabiria
The women who both attracted and frightened him and an Italy dominated in his youth by Mussolini and Pope Pius XII - inspired the dreams that Fellini started recording in notebooks in the 1960s. Life and dreams were raw material for his films. His native Rimini and characters like Saraghina (the ...
I Vitelloni 1953, 8 1/2 1963 IT ༆ see director's movie selection
2. Danny Boyle
Director | 127 Hours
Daniel Francis Boyle is a British filmmaker, producer and writer from Radcliffe, Greater Manchester. He is known for directing 28 Days Later, 127 Hours, Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, Millions, Shallow Grave, The Beach, Yesterday, and Steve Jobs. He won many awards for ...
The Mist 2007, The Green Mile 1999, The Shawshank Redemption 1994 - UK
3. Frank Darabont
Writer | The Shawshank Redemption
Three-time Oscar nominee Frank Darabont was born in a refugee camp in 1959 in Montbeliard, France, the son of Hungarian parents who had fled Budapest during the failed 1956 Hungarian revolution. Brought to America as an infant, he settled with his family in Los Angeles and attended Hollywood High ...
The Mist 2007, The Green Mile 1999, The Shawshank Redemption 1994 FR
4. Charlie Kaufman
Writer | I'm Thinking of Ending Things
Avid reader Charlie Kaufman wrote plays and made short films as a young student. He moved from Massapequa, New York to West Hartford, Connecticut in 1972 where he attended high school. As a comedic actor, he performed in school plays and, after graduation, he enrolled at Boston University but soon ...
Adaptation 2002 (Leading role, Oscar won, Nicolas Cage) - US
5. John Huston
Director | The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
An eccentric rebel of epic proportions, this Hollywood titan reigned supreme as director, screenwriter and character actor in a career that endured over five decades. The ten-time Oscar-nominated legend was born John Marcellus Huston in Nevada, Missouri, on August 5, 1906. His ancestry was English,...
The Night of Iguana 1964 (Based on Tennessee Williams Play), Maltese Falcon (screenplay) - US
6. Billy Wilder
Writer | The Apartment
Originally planning to become a lawyer, Billy Wilder abandoned that career in favor of working as a reporter for a Viennese newspaper, using this experience to move to Berlin, where he worked for the city's largest tabloid. He broke into films as a screenwriter in 1929 and wrote scripts for many ...
The Apartment 1960 #108, Some like it hot 1959 - PL
7. William Wyler
Director | The Best Years of Our Lives
William Wyler was an American filmmaker who, at the time of his death in 1981, was considered by his peers as second only to John Ford as a master craftsman of cinema. The winner of three Best Director Academy Awards, second again only to Ford's four, Wyler's reputation has unfairly suffered as the...
Ben Hur 1959
8. Paul Haggis
Writer | Crash
Paul Haggis established himself over twenty years with an extensive career in television, before his big break into features arrived when he became the first screenwriter to garner two Best Film Academy Awards back-to-back for his scripts: "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed by Clint Eastwood, ...
Million Dollar Baby 2004 - US
9. Louis Malle
Director | Au revoir les enfants
Louis Malle, the descendant of a French nobleman who made a fortune in beet sugar during the Napoleonic Wars, created films that explored life and its meaning. Malle's family discouraged his early interest in film but, in 1950, allowed him to enter the Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies ...
Au Revoir les Enfants 1987 - FR
10. Jean-Luc Godard
Director | Bande à part
Jean-Luc Godard was born in Paris on December 3, 1930, the second of four children in a bourgeois Franco-Swiss family. His father was a doctor who owned a private clinic, and his mother came from a preeminent family of Swiss bankers. During World War II Godard became a naturalized citizen of ...
Vivre sa vie 1962 - FR
11. Luc Besson
Writer | Le Cinquième Élément
Luc Besson spent the first years of his life following his parents, scuba diving instructors, around the world. His early life was entirely aquatic. He already showed amazing creativity as a youth, writing early drafts of The Big Blue (1988) and The Fifth Element (1997), as an adolescent bored in ...
Taken 2 - FR
12. Lawrence Kasdan
Writer | The Big Chill
Lawrence Kasdan is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. He directed Body Heat, Grand Canyon, The Big Chill, Silverado and Dreamcatcher. He wrote Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Bodyguard, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens and Solo: A Star Wars Story. He is ...
Body Heat 1981 - US
13. Paul Schrader
Writer | First Reformed
Although his name is often linked to that of the "movie brat" generation (Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Brian De Palma, etc.) Paul Schrader's background couldn't have been more different than theirs. His strict Calvinist parents refused to allow him to see a...
Taxi Driver 1976 - US
14. Luis Buñuel
Writer | Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie
The father of cinematic Surrealism and one of the most original directors in the history of the film medium, Luis Buñuel was given a strict Jesuit education (which sowed the seeds of his obsession with both religion and subversive behavior), and subsequently moved to Madrid to study at the ...
Le fantôme de la liberté 1974, Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie 1972, La voie lactée 1969, Belle de Jour 1967, The exterminating Angel 1962, Un Chien Andalou 1929 - ES
15. Michelangelo Antonioni
Writer | Blow-Up
Together with Fellini, Bergman and Kurosawa, Michelangelo Antonioni is credited with defining the modern art film. And yet Antonioni's cinema is also recognized today for defying any easy categorization, with his films ultimately seeming to belong to their own distinctive genre. Indeed, the ...
Deserto Rosso 1964, La Notte 1961, Blow-up 1966 - IT ༆ see director's movie selection
16. Eric Roth
Writer | Dune
Mr. Roth won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Forrest Gump & has been nominated for his screenplays of The Insider, Munich, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, A Star is Born, & Dune. He wrote Mr. Kurosawa's Rhapsody in August, The Horse Whisperer, Ali, & Best Picture Nominee, Extremely ...
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2008 - US
17. Neil Simon
Writer | The Odd Couple
Neil Simon was born on July 4, 1927 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for The Odd Couple (1968), Murder by Death (1976) and The Goodbye Girl (1977). He was married to Elaine Joyce, Diane Lander, Marsha Mason and Joan Baim. He died on August 26, 2018 in ...
The Odd Couple 1968 (play), Barefoot in the Park 1967 (play) - US
18. Christopher Hampton
Writer | The Father
Christopher Hampton was born on January 26, 1946 in Faial, Açores, Portugal. He is a writer and producer, known for The Father (2020), Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and Atonement (2007). He has been married to Laura de Holesch since 1971. They have two children.
Atonement 2007, Dangerous Liaisons - US
19. Dalton Trumbo
Writer | Roman Holiday
Dalton Trumbo, the Oscar-winning screenwriter, arguably the most talented, most famous of the blacklisted film professionals known to history as the Hollywood 10, was born in Montrose, Colorado to Orus Trumbo and his wife, the former Maud Tillery.
Dalton Trumbo was raised at 1124 Gunnison Ave. in ...
Spartacus - US
20. David Hare
Writer | The Hours
David Hare is an English playwright, screenwriter and theatre and film director. Best known for his stage work, Hare had also great success with films, receiving two Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for writing The Hours (2002) in 2002, based on the novel written by Michael ...
The Reader 2008 - UK
21. Frank Pierson
Writer | Dog Day Afternoon
Frank Pierson was born on May 12, 1925 in Chappaqua, New York, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Presumed Innocent (1990) and Cool Hand Luke (1967). He was married to Helene Szamet, Dori Pierson and Polly Stokes. He died on July 22, 2012 in Los Angeles, ...
Dog day Afternoon 1975 - US
22. Ronald Harwood
Writer | The Pianist
Born in Cape Town, Union of South Africa in 1934, Ronald Harwood moved to London in 1951 to pursue a career in the theatre. After attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he joined the Shakespeare Company of Sir Donald Wolfit, one of the last 'actor-manager' of Great-Britain. From 1953 to 1958...
The Pianist 2007, The Dresser 1984 - Cape Town ZA
23. Alvin Sargent
Writer | Spider-Man 2
Alvin Sargent was an American screenwriter who wrote Ordinary People and the Marvel screenplays for Sony: Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man. His writing for Spider-Man 2 got widespread acclaim. He also wrote a few episodes of Paper Moon. He was married to film producer Laura ...
Unfaithful 2002 - US
24. Mardik Martin
Writer | Mean Streets
Mardik Martin is in the elite group of screenwriters on WGA's list of 101 Greatest Screenplays ever written. He immigrated to the United States from Iraq to attend 'New York University'. He won the Mahler award and graduated with a Master's degree in Screenwriting in 1968, then went on to teach at ...
Raging Bull 1980, Mean Streets 1973, IQ
25. Chapman Mortimer
Writer | Reflections in a Golden Eye
Chapman Mortimer is known for Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967).
Reflections in a Golden Eye 1967 - US
26. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Writer | Howards End
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala was born on May 7, 1927 in Cologne, Germany. She was a writer, known for Howards End (1992), A Room with a View (1985) and The Remains of the Day (1993). She was married to Cyrus Jhabvala. She died on April 3, 2013 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
Jefferson in Paris 1995, The Remains of the Day 1993, Howards End 1992, Room with a View b. India, l. from 1985, - Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia DE (1927 - 2013)
27. Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Director | Un long dimanche de fiançailles
Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a self-taught director who was very quickly interested by cinema, with a predilection for a fantastic cinema where form is as important as the subject. Thus he started directing TV commercials and video clips (such as Julien Clerc in 1984). At the same time he met designer/...
Un long Dimanche de Fiançailles 2004 - FR
28. Benoît Delépine
Writer | Aaltra
Benoît Delépine was born on August 30, 1958 in Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France. He is a writer and actor, known for Aaltra (2004), Delete History (2020) and Louise hires a contract killer (2008).
Mamouth 2010 - FR
29. Jean-Claude Carrière
Writer | The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Jean-Claude Carrière was born on September 17, 1931 in Colombières-sur-Orb, Hérault, France. He was a writer and actor, known for The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972) and Cyrano de Bergerac (1990). He was married to Nicole Janin and Nahal Tajadod. ...
Le Charme discret de la bougeoisie by Louis Bunuel - FR
30. Gérard Brach
Writer | Jean de Florette
Gérard Brach was born on July 23, 1927 in Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He was a writer and director, known for Jean de Florette (1986), The Name of the Rose (1986) and Frantic (1988). He died on September 9, 2006 in Paris, France.
31. Tonino Guerra
Writer | Amarcord
Legendary Italian screenwriter was born Antonio Guerra on the 16th of March 1920 in Sant'Arcangelo, Italy, south of Ravenna. He wrote several short stories, poetry and novels and in 1956 his first screenplay "Man and Wolves" (co-written by Elio Petri) was directed by Giuseppe De Santis. Three years...
La Notte by Michelangelo Antonioni IT (1920 - 2012)
32. Tony Kushner
Writer | West Side Story
Tony Kushner's play "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes" earned him the Pulitzer Prize, among many other awards. His other acclaimed plays include "Slavs", "Homebody/Kabul" and "Caroline, or Change". He has collaborated with children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak on ...
Lincoln 2012 - US
33. Jacques Audiard
Writer | De rouille et d'os
Born in Paris, France, in 1952. Jacques Audiard's family has always been involved in movie business. His father, Michel, was a popular screenwriter and director and his uncle a producer. But in his teens he refused that world and wanted to be a teacher. He studied literature and philosophy at the ...
De Rouille et d' Os (Rust and Bone) 2012 - FR
34. Woody Allen
Writer | Annie Hall
Woody Allen was born on November 30, 1935, as Allen Konigsberg, in The Bronx, NY, the son of Martin Konigsberg and Nettie Konigsberg. He has one younger sister, Letty Aronson. As a young boy, he became intrigued with magic tricks and playing the clarinet, two hobbies that he continues today.
Allen ...
(All films written by himself, or in collaboration) - Brooklyn, New York City, New York US ༆ see director's movie selection
35. William Monahan
Writer | The Departed
William Monahan was born on November 3, 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The Departed (2006), London Boulevard (2010) and Edge of Darkness (2010).
London Boulevard 2010, The Departed 2006 - US
36. Marshall Brickman
Writer | Annie Hall
Marshall Brickman was born on August 25, 1939 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a writer and producer, known for Annie Hall (1977), Sleeper (1973) and Manhattan (1979). He has been married to Nina Feinberg since 1973. They have two children.
Manhattan 1979, Annie Hall 1977, Sleeper 1973 - US
37. Stewart Stern
Writer | Rebel Without a Cause
Stewart Stern was born on March 22, 1922 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for Rebel Without a Cause (1955), Rachel, Rachel (1968) and Sybil (1976). He was married to Marilee Stiles Stern. He died on February 2, 2015 in Seattle, Washington, USA.
The Last Movie 1971, The Ugly American 1963, Rebel without a Cause 1955 - US
38. Dennis Hopper
Actor | Easy Rider
Multi-talented and unconventional actor/director regarded by many as one of the true "enfant terribles" of Hollywood who led an amazing cinematic career for more than five decades, Dennis Hopper was born on May 17, 1936, in Dodge City, Kansas. The young Hopper expressed interest in acting from a ...
The Last Movie 1971 - US
39. David Lynch
Writer | Twin Peaks
Born in precisely the kind of small-town American setting so familiar from his films, David Lynch spent his childhood being shunted from one state to another as his research scientist father kept getting relocated. He attended various art schools, married Peggy Lynch and then fathered future ...
Inland Empire ('06), Mulholland Dr ('01), Blue Velvet ('86), The Elephant Man ('80) - Missoula, Montana US ༆ see director's movie selection
40. Bruce Joel Rubin
Writer | Ghost
Bruce Joel Rubin was born on March 10, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Ghost (1990), Deep Impact (1998) and Stuart Little 2 (2002). He has been married to Blanche Rubin since January 29, 1970. They have two children.
Jacob's Ladder - US
41. James Dearden
Writer | Fatal Attraction
James Dearden was born on September 14, 1949 in London, England, UK. He is a writer and director, known for Fatal Attraction (1987), The Cold Room (1984) and The Contraption (1977). He is married to Annabel Brooks.
A Kiss before Dying 1991, Fatal Attraction 1987 - London, England UK
42. Jacques Tati
Writer | Playtime
The comic genius Jacques Tati was born Taticheff, descended from a noble Russian family. His grandfather, Count Dimitri, had been a general in the Imperial Army and had served as military attaché to the Russian Embassy in Paris. His father, Emmanuel Taticheff, was a well-to-do picture framer who ...
43. Bernd Eichinger
Producer | Der Untergang
Bernd Eichinger was born on April 11, 1949 in Neuburg an der Donau, Bavaria, Germany. He was a producer and writer, known for Downfall (2004), The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008) and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006). He was married to Katja Hofmann. He died on January 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, ...
Downfall 2004 - DE
44. Jules Furthman
Writer | To Have and Have Not
Jules Furthman was a magazine and newspaper writer when he began writing for films in 1915. When the U.S. entered WWI Furthman used the name "Stephen Fox" for his screenplays because he thought his name sounded too German, but he reverted to his real name after the war. Furthman became one of the ...
To Have and Have not Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall - 1946 - US
45. Gore Vidal
Actor | GATTACA
Gore Vidal was born Eugene Louis Vidal in 1925 in West Point, New York, to Nina (Gore) and West Point aeronautics instructor and aviation pioneer Eugene Luther Vidal. The Vidals endured a rocky marriage divorcing ten years after Gore's birth. Young Gore spent much of his childhood with his blind ...
J' accuse! 1958, Caligula 1979 - New York US (1925 - 2012)
46. J.B. Williams
Writer | The Chinese Bungalow
J.B. Williams was born on October 22, 1903 in Workington, Cumbria, England, UK. He was a writer and director, known for The Chinese Bungalow (1930), White Cargo (1929) and We Dive at Dawn (1943). He died in 1965 in London, England, UK.
The Chinese bangalow 1930, White Cargo 1929 UK
47. Paul Osborne
Writer | Ten 'til Noon
Born in Santa Monica, Paul moved to Denver when he was four and remained there through high school. He spent his formative years both writing fiction and making super-8 movies, and when he attended the University of Miami he predictably took a double major in Motion Pictures and English.
After ...
Cruel hearts 2018 US
48. Paul Osborn
Writer | East of Eden
Paul Osborn was born on September 4, 1901 in Evansville, Indiana, USA. He was a writer, known for East of Eden (1955), South Pacific (1958) and Sayonara (1957). He was married to Millicent Green. He died on May 12, 1988 in New York City, New York, USA.
The world of Suzie Wong (writer) US
49. Antonin Artaud
Actor | La passion de Jeanne d'Arc
Antonin Artaud was born on September 4, 1896 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. He was an actor and writer, known for The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Lucrezia Borgia (1935) and Napoleon (1927). He died on March 4, 1948 in Ivry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France.
50. Jean Anouilh
Director | Deux sous de violettes
Jean Anouilh was born on June 23, 1910 in Bordeaux, Gironde, France. He was a writer and director, known for Deux sous de violettes (1951), Le Voyageur sans bagage (1944) and Anna Karenina (1948). He was married to Nicole Lançon and Monelle Valentin. He died on October 3, 1987 in Lausanne, Vaud, ...
Monsoon 1952
51. Paul Laverty
Writer | Sorry We Missed You
Paul Laverty was born in Calcutta, India, to an Irish mother and Scottish father.
He obtained a Philosophy degree at the Gregorian University in Rome. Thereafter he obtained a law degree in Glasgow and went on to do an apprenticeship with two of Scotland's most celebrated lawyers. He became a ...
Sorry, we missed you 2019 (screenwriter, writer) UK b. IN
52. Michael Tolkin
Writer | The Player
Michael Tolkin was born on October 17, 1950 in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The Player (1992), Deep Impact (1998) and Changing Lanes (2002).
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