|
Stanley Kubrick was born in The Bronx in New York City on July 26th 1928.
He was a gifted child, and by the age of thirteen he had developed a passion for chess, jazz drumming and photography. But much to his fathers dismay he showed no signs of interest in following his father into medicine.
While he was still at the William Taft High School he sold his first photographs to Look magazine. He was a popular by at school and often played in the school band, and also took part in the publishing of the school magazine.
After graduating from school in 1946, he tried unsuccessfully to get into college. But because of his low grades he was refused.
He applied to Look magazine for work as a photographer, and at seventeen years old he began to travel through America and Europe following his work.
At twenty years old he married Toba Metz. In 1950 he and a friend began to make short, cheap films.
Stanley and Toba divorced. Shortly after this Stanley moved to Los Angeles, where formed a production company with his friend James B Harris. He met a glamorous ballet dancer called Ruth Sobotka, they married in 1955. But after just a few years this marriage also ended in a divorce.
His reputation as a film director was growing rapidly, and he was very much in demand.
In 1958 he married a German painter and actress called Christian Harlan. The following year he began the work on the film Spartacus. It proved to be the first commercial success for Stanley.
After the filming of Lolita in 1961, Stanley moved to England where he created another production company, this time his own.
His work became instantly recognisable, although it was often received well by the general public; the film critics often panned it.
His films included Dr Strangelove, 2001-A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, the costume drama Barry Lyndon, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket.
Over the years he gained the reputation a perfectionist, although he proved difficult to work with the stars of the films loved the end results. As a result of this they accepted the offer of working with him.
Stanley and his wife had become the proud parents of three daughters, and they turned their large home into offices and a postproduction faculty. He felt he did not have to leave the comfort of his family any more than was necessary.
During his career he received many accolades and awards, although he appreciated each and every one, he felt his work in itself was reward enough.
Shortly after the completion of his last film Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley suffered from a fatal heart attack.
He passed away in his sleep on March 7th 1999. |
