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John Cassavetes Biography

Birth Name:John Nicholas Cassavetes

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Director, Writer, Editor, Producer, Soundtrack, Script department

Fast Facts

Received the 1975 Silver Seashell award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival
A photograph of him was used in the 2003 commemorative postage stamps celebrating American filmmaking
Studied acting with teacher Don Richardson, who taught him a technique based on muscle memory
Quote: "There's a difference between ad-libbing and improvising, and there's a difference between not knowing what to do and just saying something․"
Quote: "As an artist, I feel that we must try many things - but above all we must dare to fail․"
Helped create the cinéma vérité style of filmmaking
Was a pioneer of making American independent films
As a beginner actor he auditioned for the Actors Studio, but was rejected
Decided to drop out of college in order to become a sports commentator
Would star in films by other directors in order to fund his own movie projects

Awards

1960Pasinetti Award-Parallel Sections: winner
1961UN Award-: nominated
1961BAFTA Film Award-Best Film from any Source: nominated
1963Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Director (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
1963Best Film-International Competition: nominated
1968Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1968Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1968Golden Laurel-Male Supporting Performance: nominated
1968NYFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
1968Pasinetti Award-Best Film: winner
1968Golden Lion-: nominated
1969Oscar-Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1969NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
1969Gold Medal-Favorite Motion Picture: winner
1969WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Original Screenplay: nominated
1971Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
1973WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1975Oscar-Best Director: nominated
1975Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
1975Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
1975OCIC Award - Honorable Mention-: winner
1975Silver Seashell-: winner
1975WGA Award (Screen)-Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1978Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
1980OCIC Award - Honorable Mention-: winner
1980Golden Lion-: winner
1981Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1984FIPRESCI Prize-Competition: winner
1984Golden Berlin Bear-: winner
1984Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
1985Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated