Otto Preminger

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Otto Preminger
Preminger in 1976, by Allan Warren
Born(1905-12-05)5 December 1905
Vyzhnytsia, Wiznitz, Austria–Hungary (present Vyzhnytsia, Ukraine)
Died23 April 1986(1986-04-23) (aged 80)
Occupations
  • Film director
  • producer
  • actor
  • theatre director
Years active1931–86
Spouse(s)
Marion Mill (m. 1932–1946)

Mary Gardner (m. 1951–1959)

Hope Bryce (m. 1971–1986)

Otto Ludwig Preminger (5 December 1905 – 23 April 1986) was an Austrian-American movie director and producer, theatre director, and actor.

Early life[change | change source]

Preminger was born on December 5, 1905 in Vyzhnytsia, Wiznitz, Austria–Hungary (present Vyzhnytsia, Ukraine) to Jews Markus and Josefa Preminger.[1]

Career[change | change source]

After moving from the theatre to Hollywood, he directed over 35 feature movies in a 50 year career. He rose to fame for his stylish movie mysteries such as Laura (1944) and Fallen Angel (1945). In the 1950s and 1960s, he directed a number of high-profile adaptations of popular novels and stage works. Several of these pushed the boundaries of censorship by dealing with topics which were then taboo in Hollywood, such as drug addiction (The Man with the Golden Arm, 1955), rape (Anatomy of a Murder, 1959) and gay (Advise & Consent, 1962). He was twice nominated for the Best Director Academy Award. He also had a few acting roles.

Personal life[change | change source]

Preminger was married to Marion Mill from 1932 until they divorced in 1946. Secondly he married Mary Gardner from 1951 until they divorced in 1959. Lastly he married Hope Bryce from 1971 until his death in 1986.

Death[change | change source]

Preminger died in New York City, New York on April 23, 1986, from lung cancer and Alzheimer's disease, he was 80 years old. He was cremated and is buried in the Azalea Room of the Velma B. Woolworth Memorial Chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.

References[change | change source]

  1. Frischauer, Willi (1973). Behind the Scenes of Otto Preminger: An Unauthorised Biography. London: Joseph. ISBN 978-0-7181-1170-0.

Other websites[change | change source]