Michael Schultz

Photo of Michael Schultz

Biography

This stage director began his professional career with the Negro Ensemble Company in the mid-1960s and graduated to Broadway in 1969 with the play "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?", starring Al Pacino, Hal Holbrook and Lauren Jones (whom Schultz later married). After receiving attention for the 1972 PBS special, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", Schultz entered features with "Together for a Day" (1972) and split his time between TV and features. …
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Job Title

Director, Producer, Music

Born

November 10, 1938

Career Milestones

Directed episodes of series such as "Sisters", "Chicago Hope", "Touched By an Angel", "The Practice" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

With his wife, formed Crsytalite Productions

1964

Acted in the Off-Broadway play "The Old Glory"; also served as stage manager

1966

Directed a production of "Waiting for Godot" at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ

1968

Became a member of the Negro Ensemble Company

1969

Broadway directing debut, "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?"

1972

Feature directorial debut with "Together for Days"

1972

TV directing debut with the PBS production "To BE Young Gifted and Black"

1974

Staged "What the Winesellers Buy" first in L.A. and later on Broadway

1975

Directed "Cooley High"

1976

First of three screen collaborations with Richard Pryor, "Car Wash"

1977

Directed Pryor in "Greased Lightning"

1978

Helmed the misfire, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"

1983

Third teaming with Pryor, "Bustin' Loose"

1985

Producing debut (also directed) "Krush Groove"

1991

Returned to stage directing with "Mulebone", produced at Lincoln Center

1992

Directed episodes of "Picket Fences" (CBS)

1994

Helmed The Family Channel TV-movie "Young Indiana Jones and The Hollywood Follies"

2004

Directed "Woman Thou Art Loosed," an adaptation of Bishop T.D. Jakes' self-help novel, chronciling a woman's struggle to come to terms with her legacy of abuse, addiction and poverty

Awards

1977

Cannes Film Festival for Grand Prix of the C.S.T. in Car Wash

2004

Santa Barbara International Film Festival for American Spirit Award in Woman Thou Art Loosed