Biography
The Rochester, NY, native dropped out of high school in 1929 and worked in vaudeville as a musician and comic. After training at NYC's American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he made his Broadway acting debut in "Little Ol' Boy" (1934), directed by George Abbott. Kanin left acting to serve as Abbott's production assistant, working on "Room Service" (1937), among others. He moved to directing with 1937's "Hitch Your Wagon" which landed him a …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
1978 | Final collaboration with Ruth Gordon, the teleplay for the TV-movie "Hard Hat and Legs" | |
1969 | Last screenplay to date "Where It's At"; also directed | |
1964 | Directed the Broadway musical "Funny Girl" | |
1956 | Adapted and co-directed TV production of "Born Yesterday" | |
1946 | First screenplay with Gordon, "A Double Life" | |
1946 | Directed the stage play "Years Ago" by wife Ruth Gordon | |
1946 | First play produced on Broadway, "Born Yesterday" | |
| Was captain in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) | ||
1942 | Did uncredited work on the screenplay for "Woman of the Year"; credited to Kanin's brother Michael and Ring Lardner Jr | |
| Promoted to sergeant in the US Army Air Force | ||
1941 | Served in the US Army Signal Corps | |
1938 | Put under contract at RKO | |
1938 | Feature film debut as director, "A Man to Remember" | |
1937 | Made debut as stage director with "Hitch Your Wagon" | |
1936 | Last appearance as an actor, "Star Spangled" | |
1934 | Began working as assistant to director George Abbott | |
1933 | Debut as an actor in the Broadway production "Little Ol' Boy" | |
1929 | Dropped out of high school to work in vaudeville as a musician and comedian | |
Awards
1952 | Academy Award for Writing (Story and Screenplay) in Pat and Mike |
1950 | Academy Award for Writing (Story and Screenplay) in Adam's Rib |
1947 | Academy Award for Writing (Original Screenplay) in A Double Life |