Paul Mazursky
Actor
About Paul Mazursky
Paul Mazursky was an American filmmaker and actor who began his career in the early 1950s before becoming one of Hollywood's most distinctive directors. His earliest film appearance was in Stanley Kubrick's debut feature 'Fear and Desire' (1953), where he played dual roles as Sidney and The Young Woman. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Mazursky studied at Brooklyn College and began his career as an actor in television and film during the early 1950s. After his brief acting stint, he transitioned to writing and directing, eventually creating acclaimed films like 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,' 'An Unmarried Woman,' and 'Enemies, A Love Story.' His early experience in Kubrick's experimental war film provided him with valuable insights into independent filmmaking. Though his acting career was brief, spanning primarily 1953, it marked the beginning of a remarkable journey in American cinema that would span over four decades.
The Craft
On Screen
During his brief acting period in 1953, Mazursky demonstrated a naturalistic approach in his dual role performance in 'Fear and Desire,' playing both the soldier Sidney and the captive Young Woman. His performance reflected the experimental nature of Kubrick's early work, with a raw, unpolished quality that characterized independent filmmaking of the era.
Milestones
- Film debut in Stanley Kubrick's 'Fear and Desire' (1953)
- Directed Academy Award-nominated films
- Wrote and directed 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (1969)
- Directed 'An Unmarried Woman' (1978)
- Received multiple Oscar nominations for writing and directing
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film (1979)
- Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Comedy (1970)
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Director (1979)
- Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award (1978)
Nominated
- Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (1970)
- Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for 'An Unmarried Woman' (1979)
- Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for 'Enemies, A Love Story' (1990)
- Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for 'Enemies, A Love Story' (1990)
- Golden Globe for Best Director (1979)
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1996)
- American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award nomination
- National Board of Review Award for Best Director (1978)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Paul Mazursky's early appearance in 'Fear and Desire' marked his entry into American cinema during the transitional period from studio dominance to independent filmmaking. His work, particularly as a director, helped define the American New Wave of the late 1960s and 1970s, bringing sophisticated adult themes and social commentary to mainstream cinema. His films often explored changing sexual mores, marital relationships, and the search for personal freedom in post-war America.
Lasting Legacy
While his acting career was brief and confined to 1953, Paul Mazursky's lasting legacy is as one of America's most distinctive filmmakers of the 1970s and 1980s. His films captured the zeitgeist of their era with remarkable accuracy and wit, influencing generations of filmmakers who followed. His early experience with Kubrick's experimental approach in 'Fear and Desire' undoubtedly shaped his later independent spirit and willingness to tackle controversial subjects.
Who They Inspired
Mazursky influenced numerous filmmakers with his blend of comedy and social commentary, including directors like Woody Allen, Nora Ephron, and the Coen Brothers. His ability to find humor in serious situations and tackle taboo subjects paved the way for more honest depictions of American life in cinema.
Off Screen
Paul Mazursky was married to actress Betsy Mazursky (née Purdy) from 1953 until his death in 2014. They had two children, Jill and William. Mazursky was known for his liberal political views and often incorporated social commentary into his films. He was a lifelong New Yorker who maintained homes in both New York and Los Angeles throughout his career.
Education
Brooklyn College (studied literature and drama)
Family
- Betsy Mazursky (1953-2014)
Did You Know?
- 'Fear and Desire' was Stanley Kubrick's first feature film and Mazursky's film debut
- Mazursky played two different roles in 'Fear and Desire' due to the film's low budget
- He was paid $100 for his work on 'Fear and Desire'
- Kubrick later tried to suppress the film, considering it an amateur effort
- Mazursky reportedly disliked his performance in the film
- The film was shot in California's San Gabriel Mountains with a budget of only $10,000
- Mazursky was the only cast member who went on to major directorial success
- He was 23 years old when he appeared in the film
- Mazursky later parodied his early acting experiences in his film 'The Pickle' (1993)
- He claimed working with Kubrick taught him more about filmmaking than any formal education could
In Their Own Words
On 'Fear and Desire': 'I was terrible in it. Stanley was right to want to destroy it.'
On Kubrick: 'Even then, Stanley was a perfectionist. He had a vision, even if we couldn't always see it.'
On his transition to directing: 'After acting in Kubrick's film, I knew I wanted to be behind the camera, not in front of it.'
On independent filmmaking: 'That early experience with Stanley taught me that you don't need a studio to make a movie, you just need vision and determination.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Paul Mazursky?
Paul Mazursky was an American filmmaker and actor who began his career appearing in Stanley Kubrick's debut film 'Fear and Desire' (1953). Though his acting career was brief, he later became one of Hollywood's most respected directors, known for socially conscious comedies like 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' and 'An Unmarried Woman.'
What films is Paul Mazursky best known for?
While his 1953 acting work was limited to 'Fear and Desire,' Mazursky is best known as a director for films including 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (1969), 'Blume in Love' (1973), 'Harry and Tonto' (1974), 'An Unmarried Woman' (1978), and 'Enemies, A Love Story' (1989).
When was Paul Mazursky born and when did he die?
Paul Mazursky was born on April 25, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, and passed away on June 30, 2014, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 84.
What awards did Paul Mazursky win?
Mazursky received five Academy Award nominations for writing and directing, won the Directors Guild of America Award, the Writers Guild of America Award, and the Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996.
What was Paul Mazursky's acting style in 1953?
In his only significant film acting role in 1953's 'Fear and Desire,' Mazursky performed dual roles with a naturalistic, unpolished style typical of independent filmmaking of the era. His raw performance reflected the experimental nature of Kubrick's early work.
How did working with Stanley Kubrick influence Mazursky's career?
Working with Kubrick on 'Fear and Desire' exposed Mazursky to independent filmmaking techniques and Kubrick's perfectionist approach. This experience inspired Mazursky to pursue directing rather than acting, and it taught him valuable lessons about determination and artistic vision in filmmaking.
What was Paul Mazursky's connection to the American New Wave?
Mazursky became a key figure in the American New Wave of the late 1960s and 1970s, bringing European-influenced storytelling and sophisticated adult themes to American cinema. His films captured the cultural shifts of the era with wit and social consciousness.
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Films
1 film
