1902-1981

Movie maker. Born in Mulhouse, (then in Germany, now in France), the son of a Swiss from Endingen, Canton Aargau. In 1920 went to the US at the invitation of his uncle, Carl Lämmle, an executive of Universal Studios, moving to Hollywood in 1922. His first job was in Universal's publicity department and worked his way to up to assistant director. He took US citizenship in 1928. As a director he became known for his painstaking methods. He teamed up with producer Sam Goldwyn, with whom he worked for many years. During World War II he made two documentaries, and his courage during filming air combat footage earned him an Air Medal. After the war he was active in opposing the anti-liberal witch-hunt instigated by Senator Joe McCarthy. His best known movie was Ben Hur (1959). Thirteen of his movies were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, which three of them won.