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John Frankenheimer Biography

Birth Name:John Michael Frankenheimer

Birth Place:Queens, New York City, New York, United States

Profession Director, Producer, Writer, Actor, Assistant director

Fast Facts

  • In the early 1990s, he became one of few individuals to be nominated for four consecutive Emmy Awards
  • Despite acting in numerous stage productions throughout college, he would only seriously consider becoming a director after spending time in the U․S․ Air Force
  • Quote: "I feel that my job is to create an atmosphere where creative people can do their best work․ In other words, I have to create an atmosphere where these people feel safe, where they feel respected, and where they feel that they can contribute․"
  • Combated rumors in the early 2000s that he was the biological father of fellow director, Michael Bay
  • Often credited as being hard to work with, he was well-known for seeking complete control over his films, including all aspects of production
  • Started work in live television prior to moving on to feature films during the 1960s before eventually returning back to direct made-for-television films later in his career
  • Friends with Senator Robert F․ Kennedy, it was Frankenheimer who drove him to his Los Angeles hotel on the day of his assassination

Awards

  • 1956Primetime Emmy-Best Director - Live Series: nominated
  • 1957Primetime Emmy-Best Direction - One Hour or More: nominated
  • 1958Primetime Emmy-Best Direction - One Hour or More: nominated
  • 1959Primetime Emmy-Best Direction of a Single Dramatic Program - One Hour or Longer: nominated
  • 1960Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: nominated
  • 1960Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 1962Palme d'Or-: nominated
  • 1962San Giorgio Prize-: winner
  • 1962Golden Lion-: nominated
  • 1963DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1963DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1963Golden Globe-Best Director: nominated
  • 1964Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award-Best Picture of the Month for the Whole Family (March): winner
  • 1965Bodil-Best Non-European Film (Bedste ikke-europæiske film): winner
  • 1965Golden Globe-Best Director: nominated
  • 1966Palme d'Or-: nominated
  • 1967DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1969Golden Spike-Best Film: nominated
  • 1983ACE-Directing a Theatrical-Non-Musical Program: nominated
  • 1985Best Film-: nominated
  • 1991Critics Award-: nominated
  • 1994Best Film-: nominated
  • 1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1995CableACE-Directing a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1995DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials: nominated
  • 1997CableACE-Miniseries: winner
  • 1997CableACE-Directing a Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1997Razzie Award-Worst Director: nominated
  • 1998DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries: nominated
  • 2001Video Premiere Award-Best Internet Video Premiere: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2002PGA Hall of Fame - Motion Pictures-: winner
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
  • 2003DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television: nominated
  • 2003PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated