Biography
After a career in advertising, Cimino came to Hollywood as a screenwriter on "Silent Running" (1971) and "Magnum Force" (1971). The latter introduced him to star Clint Eastwood, whom Cimino directed in his auspicious debut, "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974). But Cimino staked his claim with the dark and disturbing Vietnam War epic, "The Deer Hunter" (1978), which controversially explored the negative effects of war on the soldiers who fight …
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Career Milestones
2001 | Published first novel, "Big Jane", in France | |
1996 | "Sunchaser", starring Woody Harrelson, shown in competition at the Cannes Film Festival; given limited release before heading to video | |
1990 | Directed and produced the remake of the crime suspense drama "Desperate Hours" | |
1987 | Bombed with "The Sicilian"; director's cut, though thirty minutes longer, was considered somewhat more coherent but was also a box-office failure | |
1985 | Directed "Year of the Dragon" which drew wildly different critical reviews; also co-wrote screenplay with Oliver Stone | |
1980 | "Heaven's Gate", budgeted at $12 million and made for $38 million, was a colossal failure leading to the collapse of United Artists | |
1978 | Scored biggest success with "The Deer Hunter"; wrote, produced and directed; won Oscars as Best Picture and Best Director | |
1974 | Feature directing debut (also screenwriter), "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot", starring Eastwood and Jeff Bridges | |
1971 | Shared screen credit with John Milius on "Magnum Force", starring Clint Eastwood | |
1971 | Feature screenwriting debut, "Silent Running", shared screen credit with Deric Washburn and Steven Bochco | |
1971 | Relocated from NYC to L.A. to pursue film career | |
1963 | Worked as director of documentaries, commercials and industrial films | |
1962 | Enlisted in US Army Reserve and served six months | |
| Raised in Old Westbury, Long Island, New York | ||
Awards
1979 | BAFTA Award for Direction in The Deer Hunter |
1978 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director in The Deer Hunter |
1978 | Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture in The Deer Hunter |
1978 | Academy Award for Best Picture in The Deer Hunter |
1978 | Academy Award for Directing in The Deer Hunter |
1978 | Directors Guild of America Award for Feature Film in The Deer Hunter |
1978 | Academy Award for Writing (Screenplay Written Directly For the Screen) in The Deer Hunter |