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Sidney Lumet Biography

Birth Name:Sidney Lumet

Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Profession Director, Producer, Writer, Actor, Casting director

Fast Facts

Received an honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005, but never won an individual Academy Award
Worked with Human Rights First on a media project about the depiction of torture and interrogation on television, inspiring the organization to name its award for Integrity in Entertainment after him
Started his career on stage, film and radio when he was a child, but was interrupted by World War II, during which he spent three years in the U․S․ Army as a radar repairman in India and Burma
Quote: "While the goal of all movies is to entertain, the kind of film in which I believe goes one step further․ It compels the spectator to examine one facet or another of his own conscience․ It stimulates thought and sets the mental juices flowing․"
Known for his excellent direction of actors, his abilities as a storyteller and the realism of his films, which often explored social issues
Most of his films were shot in New York, often taking place over short periods of time in confined locations, and were driven by dialogue rather than over-the-top action
Many actors have cited him as one of their favorite directors to work with because of how he encouraged them, inspired their creativity and collaborated with them and other artists involved in the production of a film
His lifetime achievement award from the Savannah College of Art and Design was found hidden in some bushes at a Brooklyn intersection
Continued to shoot his series "100 Centre Street" in New York after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, but did offer his crew a chance to leave early, which none of them took
Though he stated in an interview that when he died, he wanted to be cremated and scattered over Katz's Delicatessen, his final resting place is in New Mount Carmel Cemetery in Glendale, New York

Awards

1957OCIC Award-: winner
1957Golden Berlin Bear-: winner
1957Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1957Special Mention-: winner
1957NYFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
1958Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1958DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1958Golden Globe-Best Director: nominated
1958Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): winner
1959Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
1960Blue Ribbon Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
1960Bodil-Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film): winner
1960Kinema Junpo Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
1960Silver Seashell-: winner
1962Palme d'Or-: nominated
1963DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1964FIPRESCI Prize - Honorable Mention-: winner
1964Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
1965Palme d'Or-: nominated
1966UN Award-: nominated
1966BAFTA Film Award-Best British Film: nominated
1966BAFTA Film Award-Best Film from any Source: nominated
1966Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
1966Bodil-Best Non-European Film (Bedste ikke-europæiske film): winner
1966DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1967UN Award-: nominated
1968BAFTA Film Award-Best British Film: nominated
1969Palme d'Or-: nominated
1969Kinema Junpo Award-Best Foreign Language Film: nominated
1974DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1974Golden Spike-Best Film: nominated
1974CEC Award-: winner
1974San Gregorio Prize-: winner
1975BAFTA Film Award-Best Direction: nominated
1975DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1975LAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
1976Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1976BAFTA Film Award-Best Direction: nominated
1976DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1976Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Film: winner
1976Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1976LAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
1977Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1977DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1977Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: winner
1978BAFTA Film Award-Best Direction: nominated
1981KCFCC Award-Best Director: winner
1981NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1981NYFCC Award-Best Director: winner
1981Golden Lion-: nominated
1981Pasinetti Award-Best Film: winner
1982Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
1982Edgar-Best Motion Picture: nominated
1982Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1982NBR Award-Best Director: winner
1982NSFC Award-Best Director: nominated
1982NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1982WGA Award (Screen)-Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
1983Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1983Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1983Best Film-: nominated
1989Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1992Palme d'Or-: nominated
1993International Fantasy Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2006Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Director: nominated
2008HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2008Silver Ribbon-Best Non-European Director (Regista del Miglior Film Non-Europeo): winner
2009Fotogramas de Plata-Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera): winner
2009Kinema Junpo Award-Best Foreign Film Director: winner
2009Kinema Junpo Award-Best Foreign Language Film: nominated
2009Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera): winner
2009Audience Award-Best Foreign Film: winner