Blake Edwards
Blake Edwards | |
|---|---|
 Blake Edwards in 1966 | |
| Born | William Blake Crump July 26, 1922 |
| Died | December 15, 2010 (aged 88) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Pneumonia |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1942 – 1995 |
| Known for | The Pink Panther |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Walker (1953–1967; divorced), Julie Andrews, (1969–2010; his death) |
| Children | 3 daughters, 1 son |
Blake Edwards (July 26, 1922 – December 15, 2010) was an American director, producer, screenwriter and actor.
Early life
[change | change source]Born William Blake Crump in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His grandfather was J. Gordon Edwards, a director of silent movies, and his stepfather, Jack McEdwards,[1] became a film production manager after moving his family to Los Angeles in 1925.[2] He was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Career
[change | change source]Edwards' career began in the 1940s as an actor, but he soon turned to writing radio scripts at Columbia Pictures. He would later begin to write or direct movie such as; Experiment in Terror, The Great Race, and the hugely successful The Pink Panther movie series with the British comedian Peter Sellers. Often thought of as primarily a director of comedies, he also directed drama movies such as; Breakfast at Tiffany's and Days of Wine and Roses. His greatest successes, however, were his comedies, and most of his movies were either musicals, dramas, comedies, or horror.
Personal life
[change | change source]Edwards was married to Patricia Walker from 1953 unti they divorced in 1967. Lastly he married Julie Andrews from 1969 until his death in 2010. He had 3 daughters and 1 son. He lived in Los Angeles, California.
Death
[change | change source]Edwards died on December 15, 2010 from pneumonia in a hospital in Santa Monica, California, he was 88 years old.[3]
Honors
[change | change source]In 2004, he received an Honorary Academy Award.[4]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Telegraph obituary
- ↑ Wakeman, John (Ed.) World Film Directors Vol. 2. H.W. Wilson Co. (1988) pp. 302–310
- ↑ Harmetz, Aljean (December 16, 2010). "Blake Edwards, Prolific Comedy Director, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
- ↑ Receiving Honorary Oscar in 2004