Biography
A former high school dropout who became a photographer and editor at Cinema magazine, writer-director Curtis Hanson honed his filmmaking skills by writing screenplays for low-budget horror flicks before directing eventually Oscar-caliber films. As with seemingly everyone of his age who wielded a camera, Hanson had his start penning "The Dunwich Horror" (1970) for the definitive mentor, Roger Corman, before directing "Sweet Kill" (1973) for the …
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Career Milestones
| Became a photographer and freelance writer of articles about Hollywood | ||
| Befriended by writer-director-actor John Cassavetes, who invited Hanson to his garage to watch him edit his films | ||
| Dropped out of high school | ||
| Edited Cinema magazine | ||
| Grew up in Reseda, CA in the San Fernando Valley | ||
| Interviewed various legendary Hollywood figures including John Ford, Vincente Minnelli, Dalton Trumbo, and William Wellman | ||
1970 | As Curtis Lee Hanson, co-scripted first feature (with Henry Rosenbaum and Ronald Silkosky) "The Dunwich Horror," an AIP thriller executive produced by Roger Corman | |
1973 | Directorial debut, "The Arousers/Sweet Kill" (also wrote screenplay), starring Tab Hunter | |
1978 | Made producing debut as associate producer on "The Silent Partner" (also screenwriter) | |
1983 | Helmed "Losin' It," starring Tom Cruise | |
1986 | Made TV debut as writer-director of "The Children of Times Square," an ABC TV-movie about a teen runaway | |
1989 | Wrote and directed the surprisingly good homage to Hitchcock "The Bedroom Window" | |
1990 | Directed "Bad Influence," starring Rob Lowe and James Spader | |
1992 | Helmed surprise hit thriller "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" | |
1994 | Stock soared with commercial success of "The River Wild," starring Meryl Streep | |
1997 | Scored major critical success for directing "L.A. Confidential" (also co-produced and co-wrote with Brian Helgeland); received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director; won award for Best Adapted Screenplay | |
2000 | Helmed the screen adaptation of Michael Chabon's novel "Wonder Boys," starring Michael Douglas | |
2002 | Directed and produced "8 Mile," a film starring Eminem loosely based on the rapper's life | |
2005 | Directed the adaptation of Jennifer Weiner's novel "In Her Shoes," starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette | |
2007 | Helmed "Lucky You," a drama set in the high-stakes world of professional poker co-starring Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore | |
2011 | Directed and produced HBO film "Too Big to Fail" | |
2012 | With Michael Apted, co-directed sport drama "Chasing Mavericks" | |
Awards
1997 | Academy Award for Best Picture in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Academy Award for Directing in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Academy Award for Writing (Screenplay Based On Material Previously Produced or Published) in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | BAFTA Award for Adapted Screenplay in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | BAFTA Award for David Lean Award For Achievement In Direction, The in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | BAFTA Award for Film in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Critics' Choice Award for Best Screenplay Adaptation in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | National Board of Review Award for Best Director in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director in L.A. Confidential |
1997 | New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay in L.A. Confidential |
2011 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special in Too Big to Fail |
2011 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie in Too Big to Fail |