Billy Wilder

Profession: Filmmaker

Nationality:

Why Famous: Austrian-born Billy Wilder was one of the most successful filmmakers of Hollywood's Golden Age. Nominated for 21 Academy Awards, for directing, writing and producing, he won 6 Oscars.

Wilder began his career in Nazi Germany and moved to American in 1933, though many of his family did not survive the Holocaust. Wilder began in Hollywood as a screenwriter before moving to directing with "Double Indemnity" (1944) co-written with Raymond Chandler .

Many other successful films followed including "The Lost Weekend" (1945), Sunset Blvd (1950), "Some Like It Hot" (1959) and "The Apartment" (1960). For "The Apartment" he became the first person to win three Oscars for one film - Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay.

Born: June 22, 1906
Birthplace: Sucha Beskidzka, Poland

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: March 27, 2002 (aged 95)
Cause of Death: Pneumonia