Developed a lifelong fear of police when he was a young child and his father sent him to the police station; the police chief locked him in a cell for a few minutes, saying, "This is what we do to naughty boys."
Began his movie career in 1919, illustrating title cards for silent films in London.
Made a cameo appearance in almost all of his movies, starting with The Lodger in 1927.
Directed the first British sound film, the 1929 thriller Blackmail.
His wife was a film editor and screenwriter who collaborated with him on many of his movies.
Often stated that his favorite of his own films was Shadow of a Doubt (1943).
Considered one of the greatest directors of all time, but never won a competitive Oscar; when he received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the 1967 Oscars, his acceptance speech was simply, "Thank you."
Was granted a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth in 1980, shortly before his death.
In 2008, four of his movies were named in AFI's Top 10 Mystery Films of all time: Dial M for Murder (No. 9), North by Northwest (No. 7), Rear Window (No. 3) and Vertigo (No. 1).
Appeared on a commemorative U.S. postage stamp in 2009.
Awards
1957, Emmy — Best Male Personality - Continuing Performance: Nominee
1940, Oscar — Best Achievement in Directing: Nominee
1945, Oscar — Best Achievement in Directing: Nominee
1960, Oscar — Best Achievement in Directing: Nominee
1960, Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: Nominee
1956, Emmy — Best Director-Film Series: Nominee
1954, Oscar — Best Achievement in Directing: Nominee
1944, Oscar — Best Achievement in Directing: Nominee
1973, Golden Globe — Best Director - Motion Picture: Nominee
1956, Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: Nominee
1972, Golden Globe — Cecil B. DeMille Award: Winner
1971, BAFTA Film Awards — Academy Fellowship: Winner
1954, Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: Nominee
1951, Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: Nominee
1959, Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: Nominee
1967, Oscar — Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award: Winner
1967, Directors Guild of America Awards — Lifetime Achievement in Feature Film: Winner
1958, Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: Nominee
1958, Golden Globe — Television Achievement: Winner
1956, Emmy — Best M.C. or Program Host - Male or Female: Nominee
1959, Emmy — Best Direction of a Single Program of a Dramatic Series-Under One Hour: Nominee
Relationships
William Hitchcock — Father
Emma Hitchcock — Mother
Alma Reville — Wife
Patricia Hitchcock — Daughter
College
School of Engineering and Navigation, London, England; University of London, London, England
