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Blake Edwards Biography

Birth Name:William Blake Crump

Birth Place:Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Profession Writer, Director, Actor, Producer, Assistant director, Production manager

Fast Facts

  • Awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2004 for his contributions to film as both a writer, director and actor
  • Passed away at the age of 88 after suffering from Chronic Fatique Syndrome for more than 15 years, a struggle he documented for the 2010 film, "I Remember Me"
  • Served in the U․S․ Coast Guard before pursuing a career in Hollywood full-time
  • Quote: "For someone who wants to practice his art in this business, all you can hope to do, as S․O․B․ says, is stick to your guns, make the compromises you must, and hope that somewhere along the way you acquire a few good friends who understand․ And keep half a conscience․"
  • Originally began his career in Hollywood as an actor for various television series in the 1950s before transitioning into writing and directing shortly after
  • Although he is best known for his comedic successes as a director, including the "Pink Panther" series, he would also go on to make numerous dramatic films as well including 1961's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Days of Wine and Roses" from 1962
  • Once described Julie Andrews as being 'so sweet, she probably has violets between her legs', which amused the actress so much that she sent him a bouquet of violets and the two began dating shortly after

Awards

  • 1958WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
  • 1959Primetime Emmy-Best Writing of a Single Program of a Dramatic Series - Less Than One Hour: nominated
  • 1959Primetime Emmy-Best Direction of a Single Program of a Dramatic Series - Less Than One Hour: nominated
  • 1960Edgar-Best Episode in a TV Series: nominated
  • 1962DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 1963Golden Globe-Best Director: nominated
  • 1963OCIC Award-: winner
  • 1963WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
  • 1965Silver Prize-Film: winner
  • 1965Grand Prix-: nominated
  • 1965WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
  • 1976WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1977Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Comedy: winner
  • 1977WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: winner
  • 1978Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Comedy: winner
  • 1979Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Comedy: winner
  • 1980NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 1980NSFC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 1980WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1982Razzie Award-Worst Director: nominated
  • 1982Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
  • 1982WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
  • 1983Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1983César-Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger): winner
  • 1983David-Best Foreign Director (Migliore Regista Straniero): nominated
  • 1983David-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
  • 1983David-Best Foreign Screenplay (Migliore Sceneggiatura Straniera): winner
  • 1983Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera): winner
  • 1983WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: winner
  • 1989Razzie Award-Worst Director: winner