Menahem Golan

Birth Name:

Menahem Globus

Birth Place:

Tiberias, Israel

Profession

Producer, Writer, Director, Actor, Music department, Assistant director, Production manager, Editorial department

Served in the Israeli war of independence as a pilot and bombardier
Directed his first film, "El Dorado," in Israel in 1963 and produced his first film, a satire called "Sallah Shabati," the following year
Worked in theater before getting his first film job as a production assistant on "The Young Racers" in 1963
Best known as the director and producer of several 1980s B-movies, including "The Delta Force" and "Over the Top․"
Directed and co-wrote the Oscar-nominated "Operation Thunderbolt," a film about the 1976 Israeli raid on Entebbe, Uganda
Frequently worked with action stars like Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone, and Jean-Claude Van Damme
Produced more than 200 films during his career and directed more than 40
Discovered Jean-Claude Van Damme after the actor approached him outside a restaurant in Beverly Hills, performed a karate kick above his head, and was given his first starring role in 1988's "Bloodsport․"
Also wrote screenplays under the name Joseph Goldman, including "Crime and Punishment" and "The Versace Murder․"
Once made a deal with Jean-Luc Godard, signed on a hotel bar napkin during the Cannes Film Festival, to direct a version of "King Lear," which became a 1987 sci-fi comedy starring Norman Mailer, Woody Allen, and Peter Sellars

1968Palme d'OrNominated
1979Gold Hugo - Best Feature:Nominated
1980Gold Hugo - Best Feature:Nominated
1980Stinker Award - Worst Picture:Nominated
1980Stinker Award - Worst Sense of Direction (Stop them before they direct again!):Winner
1982Stinker Award - Worst Picture:Nominated
1984Razzie Award - Worst Picture:Nominated
1987BAFTA Film Award - Best Foreign Language Film:Nominated
1987Razzie Award - Worst Picture:Nominated
1988Independent Spirit Award - Best Feature:Nominated
1988Razzie Award - Worst Picture:Nominated

Fast Facts