Director
Billy Wilder
Born 22 June 1906 · Sucha, Galicia, Austria-Hungary — died 27 March 2002
Billy Wilder (1906–2002) was an Austrian-born director, screenwriter and producer who began in German cinema and became a leading Hollywood filmmaker after fleeing the Nazis. He moved between film noir, drama and sharp comedy. He is regarded as one of the greatest figures of Hollywood's golden age.
Key films
Double Indemnity (1944)On Cinespective
A landmark film noir that established Wilder as a major director and shaped the genre's look and tone.
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
A dark satire of Hollywood and fading stardom, often ranked among the greatest American films.
Ace in the Hole (1951)
A bitter drama about media exploitation, now seen as one of his most uncompromising works.
Some Like It Hot (1959)On Cinespective
His celebrated cross-dressing farce, frequently named among the best comedies ever made.
The Apartment (1960)
A bittersweet comedy-drama that won him Oscars for picture, direction and screenplay.
Key awards
- 1946 Academy Awards: Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for The Lost Weekend
- 1951 Academy Award: Best Story and Screenplay for Sunset Boulevard
- 1961 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for The Apartment
- 1986 AFI Life Achievement Award
- 1988 Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (Academy Awards)
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 48
- 1934Bad SeedDirector
- 1942The Major and the MinorDirector
- 1943Five Graves to CairoDirector
- 1944Double IndemnityDirector
- 1945The Lost WeekendDirector
- 1945Death MillsDirector
- 1948A Foreign AffairDirector
- 1948The Emperor WaltzDirector
- 1950Sunset BoulevardDirector
- 1951Ace in the HoleDirector
- 1953Stalag 17Director
- 1954SabrinaDirector
- 1955The Seven Year ItchDirector
- 1957Witness for the ProsecutionDirector
- 1957Love in the AfternoonDirector
- 1957The Spirit of St. LouisDirector
- 1959Some Like It HotDirector
- 1960The ApartmentDirector
- 1961One, Two, ThreeDirector
- 1963Irma la DouceDirector
- 1964Kiss Me, StupidDirector
- 1966The Fortune CookieDirector
- 1966The Legend of Marilyn MonroeActor
- 1970The Private Life of Sherlock HolmesDirector
- 1972Avanti!Director
- 1974The Front PageDirector
- 1978FedoraDirector
- 1978Regie: Billy Wilder · as SelfActor
- 1981Buddy BuddyDirector
- 1982Portrait of a '60% Perfect Man': Billy Wilder · as SelfActor
- 1986Directed by William Wyler · as SelfActor
- 1989The Exiles · as SelfActor
- 1992Billy, How Did You Do It? · as SelfActor
- 1993Audrey Hepburn: Remembered · as SelfActor
- 1996Jack Lemmon: America's Everyman · as SelfActor
- 1996Fred MacMurray: The Guy Next Door · as SelfActor
- 1997Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough · as SelfActor
- 1998Billy Wilder: The Human Comedy · as SelfActor
- 2000Klaus Kinski: I'm not an actor · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2001Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2002Heart of the Festival · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2006Billy Wilder Speaks · as Self - FilmmakerActor
- 2006The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot' · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2006The Making of 'Some Like It Hot' · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2016Billy Wilder: Nobody's Perfect · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2017Never Be Boring: Billy Wilder · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2019Hollywood's Second World War · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2020Audrey · as Self - Filmmaker (voice) (archive footage)Actor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.