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Paul Mazursky Biography

Birth Name:
Irwin Mazursky
Birth Place:
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Profession
Director, screenwriter, actor

Fast Facts

  • Changed his first name to Paul the same year he graduated from college
  • Acted in Stanley Kubrick's debut film, Fear and Desire
  • Attempted a stand-up comedy career in the late 1950s
  • Co-wrote the pilot episode for the TV series The Monkees
  • Moved to Europe for six months after the failure of his 1972 film Alex in Wonderland bombed
  • Published his autobiography, Show Me the Magic, in 1999
  • Awarded an honorary fine arts degree from his alma mater, Brooklyn College, in 2002
  • Wrote film reviews for VanityFair
  • com
  • Awarded the 2,515th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2013
  • Given a lifetime achievement award from the WGA in 2014

Awards

  • 1989Oscar-Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): nominated
  • 1989New York Film Critics Circle-Best Director: winner
  • 1987Writers Guild Awards-Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 1982Toronto International Film Festival-People's Choice Award: winner
  • 1979Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1979Writers Guild Awards-Original Drama: nominated
  • 1979Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1978Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
  • 1978Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
  • 1978New York Film Critics Circle-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1978Oscar-Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen): nominated
  • 1978Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1977Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: nominated
  • 1975Writers Guild Awards-Original Drama: nominated
  • 1974Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): nominated
  • 1974Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: nominated
  • 1971BAFTA Film Awards-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1970Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: winner
  • 1969Writers Guild Awards-Comedy: nominated
  • 1969Writers Guild Awards-Original Screenplay: nominated
  • 1969New York Film Critics Circle-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 1969Oscar-Best Writing (Story and Screenplay--based on material not previously published or produced): nominated
  • 1966Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety: nominated
  • 1964Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy or Variety: nominated

Relationships