Happy 68th Birthday, Edward Zwick! Born today in 1952 as Edward Mitchell Zwick, this American screenwriter, producer of film and television and director has worked primarily in the comedy-drama and epic historical film genres.
Zwick was born in the affluent, northeastern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. He was born into a Jewish family.
Years later, Zwick matriculated and studied at Harvard University. He eventually graduated with an alma mater, and received an A.B in 1974.
Sometime later, he enrolled and studied at the AFI Conservatory. The following year, Zwick graduated but this time as an alma mater with a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Post graduating from the AFI Conservatory, Zwick worked as a journalist with Rolling Stone. The following year, he later found work on television as a producer, writer and director in 1976.
Zwick eventually moved on to higher grounds, though. He made three films released for television in two years.
In the late 1980s, his first theatrical release. This was the 1986 American romance/drama film 'About Last Night' (styled as 'About Last Night...'), starring Rob Lowe and Demi Moore. Upon release, the film was a success for Zwick's rising star.
Three years later, he raised the bar for himself with his second film, bringing back a story of great heroism. This was the film of which Zwick is best known for directing, being the 1989 American war/drama film 'Glory'.
The film was based on American writer, impresario, art connoisseur, and philanthropist, Lincoln Kirstein's 1973 book Lay this Laurel, of which he co-wrote.
In its full exhaustive title, the book is called Lay this Laurel: An Album on the Saint-Gaudens Memorial on Boston Common, Honoring Black and White Men Together, who Served the Union Cause with Robert Gould Shaw and Died with Him July 18, 1863.
The film is also based on American author, free-lane designer, and illustrator Peter Buchard's 1965 book One Gallant Rush: Robert Gould Shaw and His Brave Black Regiment.
One year later, 'Glory' received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor (Denzel Washington). This occurred at the 47th Golden Globe Awards in late January 1990.
Two months later, the film won three Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Mixing. This occurred at the 62nd Academy Awards in late March 1990.
Two months later, Zwick served as executive producer on a notable two-part episode entitled "The Towers of Zenith". This was for the American drama television series thirtysomething (1987–1991).
The episodes therein included "The Go-Between (S03E23) and "Samurai Ad Man" (S03E24). Both episodes aired on May 15 and May 22.
Altogether, Zwick had served as executive producer for all eighty-five episodes of thirtysomething, of which had later won multiple awards.
The following year, 'Glory' was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography. However, it did not win. This occurred at the 44th British Academy Film Awards in mid-March 1991.
Three years later, Zwick served as executive producer for two more notable television episodes. This was for the American teen drama television series My So-Called Life (1994–1995).
The first notable episode that Zwick worked on was "Life of Brian" (S01E11), airing on November 10, 1994. The second notable episode was "Self-Esteem" (S01E12), airing on November 17, 1994.
Altogether, Zwick had served as executive producer for all nineteen episodes of My So-Called Life, of which went on to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (Claire Danes). This occurred at the 52nd Golden Globe Awards in late January 1995.
Three years later, "The Go-Between" and "Samurai Ad Man" were featured on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time list on June 28, 1997. Both episodes ranked in at #22. Also, the My So-Called Life episode "Life of Brian" ranked in at #38.
In the late 2000s, a revised list of TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time list was published on June 15, 2009.
This time, the thirtysomething episode "A Second Look" had replaced "The Towers of Zenith", ranking in at #34. Also, the My So-Called Life episode "Self-Esteem" had replaced the episode "Life of Brian", ranking in at #44.
Despite sharing a surname and profession, Zwick is unrelated to fellow American film director, television director and theater director Joel Zwick.
Zwick is one of the few directors to have worked with both Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise. The others are Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott.
Zwick has made a total of three films with Denzel Washington. The only directors to work with Washington more times than that are Spike Lee and Tony Scott, who have done four films each with him.
Zwick directed four actors in Oscar nominated roles; Leonardo DiCaprio, and Denzel Washington. Ken Watanabe, and Djimon Hounsou,
Zwick Runs a production company, The Bedford Falls Company, with his partner This is American film director, writer, and producer and the President Emeritus of the Producers Guild of America Marshall Herskovitz.
Among his trademarks, Zwick is known for frequently casting Denzel Washington, making films about characters living through real-life historical events and, in terms of television, frequently works with Herskowitz.
Among his other credits, Zwick is known for directing 'Legends of the Fall' (1994), 'Courage Under Fire' (1996), 'The Last Samurai' (2003), 'Blood Diamond' (2006), 'Defiance' (2008) and 'Love & Other Drugs' (2010).
Among his producing credits, Zwick is known for co-producing 'Shakespeare in Love' (1998), 'Traffic' (2000), and 'I Am Sam' (2001). Of these, 'Shakespeare in Love' won Best Picture. This occurred at the 71st Academy Awards in late March 1999.
Zwick is well-known for his heroic films and the breathtaking works of art within his features as well.
He has also been known for his thoughtfulness as a director, and for his record of working with television series and other films as a producer.
Zwick's prolific body of work has earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Picture, and Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series, and Outstanding Dramatic Special.
He has additionally been nominated for multiple Golden Globe Awards.
Noted for his sprawling war films, Zwick has been described as a "throwback to an earlier era, an extremely cerebral director whose movies consistently feature fully rounded characters, difficult moral issues, and plots that thrive on the ambiguity of authority."
Zwick has been active from 1983–present.
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