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Sydney Pollack Biography

Birth Name:Sydney Irwin Pollack

Birth Place:Lafayette, Indiana, United States

Profession Producer, Director, Actor, Cinematographer

Fast Facts

Won the Board of the Governors Award from the American Society of Cinematographers in 2006
Intended to go to college to study medicine before becoming interested in acting
Quote: "I am not a visual innovator․ I haven't broken any new ground in the form of a film․ My strength is with actors․ I think I'm good at working with them to get the best performances, at seeing what it is that they have and that the story needs․"
Quote: "I don't consider myself an avant garde or particularly original film-maker․ I enjoy the challenge of working within the strict parameters of a given film genre and then striving to find some new voice within it․"
Quote: "I don't value a film I've enjoyed making․ If it's good, it's damned hard work․"
Quote: "I'm from Indiana; if I get it, everyone gets it․"
Quote: "(On his friend Paul Newman) "There's stillness in his acting now that is quite magnetic․ You can feel his intelligence, you can see him thinking․ He has the depth of a clear pool of water․""
Often collaborates with Robert Redford on film projects
Began his career as a director after receiving encouragement and vocal support from iconic actor Burt Lancaster
Was the first choice to direct "Dirty Harry," but he turned the offer down
Worked on a lumber truck while attending the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre

Awards

1963Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: nominated
1964Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: nominated
1966OCIC Award-: winner
1966Best Film-International Competition: nominated
1966Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama: winner
1966Special Mention-: winner
1970Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1970DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1970Golden Globe-Best Director: nominated
1970Golden Charybdis-: winner
1971Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Director (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
1972Palme d'Or-: nominated
1972Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
1976Golden India Catalina-Best Film (Mejor Película): nominated
1976Golden Plate-: winner
1982Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
1982Honorable Mention-: winner
1982Reader Jury of the "Berliner Morgenpost"-: winner
1982NYFCC Award-Best Director: winner
1983Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1983Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
1983Bodil-Best Non-European Film (Bedste ikke-europæiske film): winner
1983DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1983Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1983NSFC Award-Best Director: nominated
1984BAFTA Film Award-Best Direction: nominated
1984BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1984César-Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger): nominated
1984Jupiter Award-Best International Film: nominated
1984Readers' Choice Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
1986Oscar-Best Director: winner
1986Oscar-Best Picture: winner
1986David-Best Foreign Producer (Migliore Produttore Straniero): nominated
1986David-Best Foreign Director (Migliore Regista Straniero): nominated
1986David-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): winner
1986DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
1986Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1986Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Director (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero): winner
1987César-Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger): nominated
1987Guild Film Award - Gold-Foreign Film (Ausländischer Film): winner
1987Jupiter Award-Best International Film: nominated
1992LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1993CableACE-Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1994CableACE-Dramatic Series: nominated
1997Yoga Award-Worst Remake: winner
1999Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film-: nominated
2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama/Romance: nominated
2001Video Premiere Award-Best DVD Audio Commentary: nominated
2002Christopher Award-Film: winner
2004Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film-: nominated
2004BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2004PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2008Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: winner
2009Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2009BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2009European Film Award-European Film: nominated
2009PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated
2019Audience Award-City of Donostia Audience Award: nominated