Blake Edwards
Blake Edwards (July 26, 1922 – December 15, 2010) was an American director, producer, screenwriter and actor.
Blake Edwards | |
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![]() Blake Edwards in 1966 | |
Born | William Blake Crump July 26, 1922 |
Died | December 15, 2010 Santa Monica, California, U.S. | (aged 88)
Cause of death | Pneumonia |
Nationality | American |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1942 – 1995 |
Known for | The Pink Panther |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Patricia Walker (1953–1967; divorced), Julie Andrews, (1969–2010; his death) |
Children | 3 daughters, 1 son |
Early life
changeBorn William Blake Crump in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His grandfather was J. Gordon Edwards, a director of silent movies, and his stepfather, Jack McEdwards,[1] became a film production manager after moving his family to Los Angeles in 1925.[2] He was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Career
changeEdwards' career began in the 1940s as an actor, but he soon turned to writing radio scripts at Columbia Pictures. He would later begin to write or direct movie such as; Experiment in Terror, The Great Race, and the hugely successful The Pink Panther movie series with the British comedian Peter Sellers. Often thought of as primarily a director of comedies, he also directed drama movies such as; Breakfast at Tiffany's and Days of Wine and Roses. His greatest successes, however, were his comedies, and most of his movies were either musicals, dramas, comedies, or horror.
Personal life
changeEdwards was married to Patricia Walker from 1953 unti they divorced in 1967. Lastly he married Julie Andrews from 1969 until his death in 2010. He had 3 daughters and 1 son. He lived in Los Angeles, California.
Death
changeEdwards died on December 15, 2010 from pneumonia in a hospital in Santa Monica, California, he was 88 years old.[3]
Honors
changeIn 2004, he received an Honorary Academy Award.[4]
References
change- ↑ Telegraph obituary
- ↑ Wakeman, John (Ed.) World Film Directors Vol. 2. H.W. Wilson Co. (1988) pp. 302–310
- ↑ Harmetz, Aljean (December 16, 2010). "Blake Edwards, Prolific Comedy Director, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
- ↑ Receiving Honorary Oscar in 2004