John Cassavetes
Birth Name:
John Nicholas Cassavetes
Birth Place:
New York City, New York, United States
Profession
Actor, Director, Writer, Editor, Producer, Soundtrack, Script department
Fast Facts
- A photograph of him was used in the 2003 commemorative postage stamps celebrating American filmmaking
- Received the 1975 Silver Seashell award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival
- Studied acting with teacher Don Richardson, who taught him a technique based on muscle memory
- Quote: "As an artist, I feel that we must try many things - but above all we must dare to fail․"
- Quote: "There's a difference between ad-libbing and improvising, and there's a difference between not knowing what to do and just saying something․"
- Helped create the cinéma vérité style of filmmaking
- Was a pioneer of making American independent films
- As a beginner actor he auditioned for the Actors Studio, but was rejected
- Decided to drop out of college in order to become a sports commentator
- Would star in films by other directors in order to fund his own movie projects
Awards
- 1960Pasinetti Award - Parallel Sections:Winner
- 1961UN AwardNominated
- 1961BAFTA Film Award - Best Film from any Source:Nominated
- 1963Silver Ribbon - Best Foreign Director (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero):Nominated
- 1963Best Film - International Competition:Nominated
- 1968Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
- 1968Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
- 1968Golden Laurel - Male Supporting Performance:Nominated
- 1968NYFCC Award - Best Director:Nominated
- 1968Pasinetti Award - Best Film:Winner
- 1968Golden LionNominated
- 1969Oscar - Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen:Nominated
- 1969NSFC Award - Best Screenplay:Winner
- 1969Gold Medal - Favorite Motion Picture:Winner
- 1969WGA Award (Screen) - Best Written American Original Screenplay:Nominated
- 1971Golden Globe - Best Screenplay - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1973WGA Award (Screen) - Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen:Nominated
- 1975Oscar - Best Director:Nominated
- 1975Golden Globe - Best Director - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1975Golden Globe - Best Screenplay - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1975OCIC Award - Honorable MentionWinner
- 1975Silver SeashellWinner
- 1975WGA Award (Screen) - Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen:Nominated
- 1978Golden Berlin BearNominated
- 1980OCIC Award - Honorable MentionWinner
- 1980Golden LionWinner
- 1981Top 10 Film Award - Best Film:Nominated
- 1984FIPRESCI Prize - Competition:Winner
- 1984Golden Berlin BearWinner
- 1984Silver Ribbon - Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero):Winner
- 1985Top 10 Film Award - Best Film:Nominated