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Maximilian Schell Biography

Birth Name:Maximilian Schell

Birth Place:Vienna, Austria

Profession Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, Soundtrack, Production manager

Fast Facts

Made his theatre directing debut in 1977 at the National Theatre in London with a production of Tales From the Vienna Woods
Released the documentary "My Sister Maria" in 2002, the subject of which was the life and career of his late sister Maria Schell
Born to a creative family, his mother ran an acting school and his father was a poet, novelist and playwright
Quote: "I am America's number-one fan․ I like your food․ Especially corn flakes․"
Quote: "(On his love of directing) "It's more fulfilling than acting, but it's also more wounding to get bad reviews as a director than an actor․""
Made his Hollywood debut in 1959 with several German-speaking, Nazi-era roles including "Judgment at Nuremberg" which he would go on to win an Academy Award for in 1962
Gained notoriety later in life after taking on directing, writing and acting in his own features, one of which, 1974's "The Pedestrian", earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film
Made his stage debut in Europe three years before landing his first cinematic role in 1952
After appearing on stage for the first time at the age of 11, he wrote his first play which was later produced by his school the same year
Refused to receive a lifetime achievement award in 1990, claiming he was too young for his lifetime accomplishments to be rewarded

Awards

1956Film Award in Silver-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Beste darstellerische Leistung - Männliche Hauptrolle): nominated
1961NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1962Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1962BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1962Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: winner
1962Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1968Film Award in Gold-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Beste darstellerische Leistung - Männliche Hauptrolle): nominated
1970Silver Seashell-: winner
1974Film Award in Gold-Best Direction (Beste Regie): nominated
1975Silver Seashell-: winner
1976Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1976Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1977NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1977NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1978Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1978Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture: nominated
1979Gold Hugo-Best Feature: nominated
1979Film Award in Gold-Best Direction (Beste Regie): nominated
1980Film Award in Gold-Best Direction (Beste Regie): nominated
1984Gold Hugo-Best Feature: nominated
1984Film Award in Gold-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Beste darstellerische Leistung - Männliche Hauptrolle): winner
1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1994CableACE-Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
2002Gold Hugo-Best Documentary: nominated
2002International Competition-Best Director: winner