John Landis Biography

Fast Facts

• Received a Saturn Award in 1982 for his writing on "An American Werewolf in London"
• Married to film costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis who has served as the president of the Costume Designers Guild in the past
• Charged with involuntary manslaughter in the early '80s following an accident on the set of "Twilight Zone" that resulted in the death of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, however, he and the other crew members charged were later acquitted
• Began working in show business as a mail boy for 20th Century Fox at the age of 17 after dropping out of high school
• Quote: "I worked on all kind of movies․ I worked as a stunt guy, a dialogue coach, an actor, a production assistant․ I worked on a movie where Toshiro Mifune puts a sword through me․"
• Quote: "When Animal House turned out the way it did, [the Hollywood studios] all rushed to me with barrels of money begging me to make them rich․"
• Directed music videos for various artists throughout the '80s and '90s including Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller" video
• Well known for his work in screwball comedies that have gone on to achieve cult status including "Animal House", "The Blues Brothers", "The Three Amigos" and dozens of others
• Often involves the same quip in his movies including breaking the fourth wall, referencing Oldsmobiles and showcasing images of King Kong
• Often references the fictional film title of "See You Next Wednesday", a line he stole from "2001: A Space Odyssey" and incorporates it into every film he makes which has numbered almost 20 separate instances
• Given his first behind-the-scenes film opportunity while on location in Yugoslavia working as an errand boy on "Kelly's Heroes" before taking the place of an assistant director who was sent home in the middle of filming after suffering a breakdown