- Born
- 6 May 1915, Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
- First work
- 1934: The Hearts of Age
- Peak
- 1941 to 1958 (estimated)
- Last work
- 1987: Someone to Love
- Died
- 10 October 1985, Los Angeles, United States; aged 70; natural
Orson Welles
Film: director, actor, producer, writer, United States
Orson Welles was a towering polymath of American theatre, radio, and cinema whose technical daring transformed film grammar. A prodigy who conquered the New York stage and national airwaves in his twenties, he made an astonishing cinematic debut with Citizen Kane in 1941. Despite repeated battles with studio executives and budget constraints, Welles created visionary works across Europe and Hollywood, bringing innovative deep-focus cinematography, complex sound design, and daring narrative structures to life. Renowned as both a master filmmaker and an indelible character actor, his profound influence persisted until his death in Los Angeles, California, in 1985.
Who else was born on 6 May or who died on 10 October.
Compare with Bing Crosby Compare with someone else
Signature works
- Citizen Kane film1941
- The Magnificent Ambersons film1942
- The Lady from Shanghai film1947
- The Third Man film1949
- Touch of Evil film1958
- The Trial film1962
- Chimes at Midnight film1965
Honours
- Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, 1941
- Academy Honorary Award, 1970
- AFI Life Achievement Award, 1975
Groups: Mercury Theatre.