Robert Altman

Robert Altman was an American filmmaker whose satirical films, often built around large ensembles and overlapping dialogue, made him a leading figure of the New Hollywood period. He was born in Kansas City in 1925 and spent years directing industrial films and television episodes before moving into features. MASH (1970) won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and drew five Academy Award nominations. Critically praised follow-ups included McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), The Long Goodbye (1973), Nashville (1975) and 3 Women (1977). The Player (1992), a Hollywood satire, earned him Best Director prizes from Cannes, BAFTA and the New York Film Critics Circle, while Short Cuts (1993) won the Golden Lion at Venice. He directed the HBO miniseries Tanner '88, which brought a Primetime Emmy, and staged plays on Broadway and in the West End. Gosford Park (2001) won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. He received an Academy Honorary Award in 2006 and died that year.