Biography
Throughout his critically acclaimed career, writer-director Alexander Payne showed a remarkably poignant vision with his films, in which the often quirky set-up was merely a launching point for a seriocomic exploration into human foibles. With "Citizen Ruth" (1996), Payne examined the gravely serious issue of reproductive rights, an unlikely subject for what turned out to be an adroit satire that managed to both present and rankle both sides …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2011 | Directed and co-wrote "The Descendants," starring George Clooney; also produced | |
2009 | Executive produced a Japanese feature adaptation of his film "Sideways" | |
2007 | Teamed with Taylor to write an early draft of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" | |
2007 | Executive produced the films "King of California" and "The Savages" | |
2004 | Directed and co-scripted the critically acclaimed "Sideways"; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director and was nominated by the Directors Guild of America for Outstanding Directorial Achievement | |
2002 | Directed and co-scripted (with Taylor) "About Schmidt"; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director | |
2001 | With Taylor contributed to the script of "Jurassic Park 3" | |
1999 | Signed a $1 million deal to write and direct "Sideways" for Artisan Entertainment | |
1999 | Directed and co-wrote (with Taylor) his second feature "Election," a dark comedy starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon | |
1996 | Made screenwriting (co-written with Jim Taylor) and directing debut with "Citizen Ruth"; premiered at the Sundance Film Festival | |
| Completed several shorts for Propaganda Films (aired on the Playboy Channel) | ||
| Landed a job at Universal Pictures, writing several unproduced scripts | ||
1989 | Screened his student film "The Passion of Martin" at the Sundance Film Festival | |
Awards
2012 | Writers Guild of America Award for Adapted Screenplay in The Descendants |
2012 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Director in The Descendants |
2012 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay in The Descendants |
2012 | Producers Guild of America Award for Theatrical Motion Pictures in The Descendants |
2011 | BAFTA Award for Adapted Screenplay in The Descendants |
2011 | National Board of Review Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in The Descendants |
2011 | Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture in The Descendants |
2011 | BAFTA Award for Best Film in The Descendants |
2011 | Academy Award for Best Picture in The Descendants |
2011 | Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay in The Descendants |
2011 | Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture in The Descendants |
2011 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Screenplay Adaptation in The Descendants |
2011 | Academy Award for Directing in The Descendants |
2011 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in The Descendants |
2011 | Academy Award for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) in The Descendants |
2005 | Palm Springs International Film Festival for Director of the Year Award |
2005 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Director in Sideways |
2005 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay in Sideways |
2004 | BAFTA Award for Adapted Screenplay in Sideways |
2004 | San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director in Sideways |
2004 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director in Sideways |
2004 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Director in Sideways |
2004 | Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture in Sideways |
2004 | Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical in Sideways |
2004 | Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay in Sideways |
2004 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay in Sideways |
2004 | New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay in Sideways |
2004 | National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay in Sideways |
2004 | Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture in Sideways |
2004 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Writer (Original or Adapted Screenplay) in Sideways |
2004 | Academy Award for Directing in Sideways |
2004 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in Sideways |
2004 | Academy Award for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) in Sideways |
2002 | Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture in About Schmidt |
2002 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay in About Schmidt |
2002 | Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture in About Schmidt |
2002 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Writer (Original or Adapted Screenplay) in About Schmidt |
2000 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Director in Election |
2000 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay in Election |
1999 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for New Generation Award in Citizen Ruth |
1999 | New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay in Election |
1999 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for New Generation Award in Election |
1999 | Academy Award for Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced or Published) in Election |