Peter Hyams Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1978, he was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award for his work on "Telefon․"
• Studied art and music while attending the Arts Students League and Syracuse University
• Started out as a news anchor in New York City at the age of 21
• Quote: "I've never done anything that's totally worked for me․ It has always been very painful to watch what I've done․ Filmmaking, by definition, is a process of failure and because of that I always seem to be looking for the blemishes in my work․"
• Frequently includes a character named Spota in his films
• Is widely recognized for using natural light while shooting virtually all of his scenes
• Once worked as a drummer for jazz musicians Bill Evans and Maynard Ferguson