Gene Allen Biography

Fast Facts

• Was honored with a Special Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild in 1997
• Joined the art department at Warner Bros․ as an apprentice in 1936 before becoming a police officer, like his father, when he was laid off
• Got his start as a production designer on the film "A Star Is Born" in 1954
• Quote: "[on director George Cukor, whom he frequently worked with] "I had a reasonably successful theatrical career due primarily to the actions of one of Hollywood's greats․""
• Best known as an art director who worked on "My Fair Lady" and "A Star Is Born․"
• Was the executive director of the Art Directors Guild from 1970 to 1997 and also served as the vice president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
• Served as the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences from 1983 to 1985