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Introduction
Billy Wilder is often cited as one of the most creative and talented filmmakers of his generation. From works such as Sunset Boulevard, The Apartment, and Some Like it Hot, Wilder's imaginative storytelling and attention to detail are what enable his films to stand the test of time. A winner of six Academy Awards, Wilder helped to ignite the movie industry with his bold screenplays and colorful personality. Wilder was regarded as a visionary and will forever be remembered as a Hollywood legend. -
Entrance to the United States
After writing screenplays in Germany, Wilder, a Jew, fled from Germany in 1933 once Hitler rose to power. He then went to Paris before finally making his way to Hollywood. As a kid, Billy loved anything American and once he was in the U.S., Wilder met with actor Peter Lorre and began to inch his way into the American film industry. Starting out small, Wilder teamed up with Charles Brackett, and by 1938 was co-writing screenplays for popular comedies such as Ninotchka and Ball of Fire. (Brooke). -
The Lost Week-end
Billy Wilder's dramatic film 'The Lost Week-end' won the Critics' Choice Award as the best picture of 1945. In addition, Wilder received the outstanding directorial achievement, voted for by the New York Film Critics. This was Wilder's breakthrough film, as he went on to later receive his first two Oscars, winning awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
("'Lost Week-end' is Critics' Choice") ("The Lost Weekend (1945)") -
The Apartment, peak success
From 1945 through 1960, Wilder wrote and directed hit after hit, concluding with the romantic-comedy "The Apartment". Loved by both the audience and the critics, this box office success garnered five oscars, three of which went to Wilder. (Harris) (Harris)
(Harris, Jack). "The Apartment". -
Later years
Although Wilder was still doing some movie work, during this time he had begun to drastically cut back on his film schuedule. This gave him more time to try new things, like give speeches, which he is seen doing here at the AFI Harold Lloyd Master Seminar. (“Auteurcast Episode 077: Billy Wilder’s Mauvaise Graine”) -
The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
At the 60th Academy Awards, Wilder received The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which is an honorary award given to creative producers whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production ("Irving G. Thalberg"). However, Wilder was unique in that he usually wrote and directed films, seldom producing. This honor marked a long and prosporous career as he is seen at [the Oscars](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kebqj_grGC0) receiving the award. -
Death, legacy
Billy Wilder died in West Los Angeles due to pneumonia. And although he had retired from filmmaking over twenty years prior in 1981, Wilder was able to touch millions of people's lives through his heartfelt and thought-provoking movies. A few quotes from Wilder that truly embodied his work were "I have ten commandments. The first nine are, thou shalt not bore. The tenth is, thou shalt have right of final cut" and "the best director is the one you don't see" (Brooke). Wilder was 95 years old.
