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Sydney Pollack

Birth Name:
Sydney Irwin Pollack
Birth Place:
Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Profession
Producer, Director, Actor, Cinematographer
Sydney Pollack

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․""
  • Began his career as a director after receiving encouragement and vocal support from iconic actor Burt Lancaster
  • Often collaborates with Robert Redford on film projects
  • 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 AwardWinner
  • 1966Best Film - International Competition:Nominated
  • 1966Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama:Winner
  • 1966Special MentionWinner
  • 1970Oscar - Best Director:Nominated
  • 1970DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures:Nominated
  • 1970Golden Globe - Best Director:Nominated
  • 1970Golden CharybdisWinner
  • 1971Silver Ribbon - Best Foreign Director (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero):Nominated
  • 1972Palme d'OrNominated
  • 1972Bronze Wrangler - Theatrical Motion Picture:Winner
  • 1976Golden India Catalina - Best Film (Mejor Película):Nominated
  • 1976Golden PlateWinner
  • 1982Golden Berlin BearNominated
  • 1982Honorable MentionWinner
  • 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 FilmNominated
  • 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 FilmNominated
  • 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
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