William Wyler (July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a German-born film director, producer, and screenwriter. Notable works include Ben-Hur (1959), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), and Mrs. Miniver (1942), all which won Wyler Academy Awards for Best Director, and also won Best Picture. He earned his first Oscar nomination for directing Dodsworth in 1936, sparking a 20-year run of almost unbroken greatness. Film historian Ian Freer calls Wyler a "bona fide perfectionist," whose penchant for retakes and an attempt to hone every last nuance "became the stuff of legend." His ability to direct a string of classic literary adaptations into huge box office and critical successes made him one of Hollywood's most bankable moviemakers during the 1930s and 1940s.

William Wyler

William Wyler

Directing Born July 1, 1902 – Died July 27, 1981 Mülhausen, Alsace-Lorraine, German Empire [now Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, France]

William Wyler (July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a German-born film director, producer, and screenwriter. Notable works include Ben-Hur (1959), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), and Mrs. Miniver (1942), all which won Wyler Academy Awards for Best Director, and also won Best Picture. He earned his first Oscar nomination for directing Dodsworth in 1936, sparking a 20-year run of almost unbroken greatness.

Film historian Ian Freer calls Wyler a "bona fide perfectionist," whose penchant for retakes and an attempt to hone every last nuance "became the stuff of legend." His ability to direct a string of classic literary adaptations into huge box office and critical successes made him one of Hollywood's most bankable moviemakers during the 1930s and 1940s.

Known For

Great Performances poster

Great Performances

Self
The Oscars poster

The Oscars

Self
The Ed Sullivan Show poster

The Ed Sullivan Show

Self
Cinépanorama poster

Cinépanorama

Self
The American Film Institute Salute to ... poster

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

Self
The Best Years of Our Lives poster

The Best Years of Our Lives

Drug Store customer (uncredited)
Hollywood poster

Hollywood

Self
Five Came Back poster

Five Came Back

Self (archive footage)
Dodsworth poster

Dodsworth

Violin Player in Dance Orchestra (uncredited)
Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic poster

Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic

Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
Hollywood's Second World War poster

Hollywood's Second World War

Self (archive footage)
Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies poster

Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies

Self