- Canadian-born director Norman Jewison, known for his diverse range of films, has passed away at 97 years old. He received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement in 1999.
- Jewison incorporated themes of racism and injustice in his work, with “In the Heat of the Night” being a noteworthy film exploring these issues.
- Despite receiving praise and criticism, “In the Heat of the Night” won the Best Picture Oscar, and Jewison was encouraged by Robert F. Kennedy during its production.
Additional Coverage:
- Director Norman Jewison dead at 97 (cbsnews.com)
Norman Jewison, the accomplished Canadian-born director known for his diverse range of films, has passed away at 97 years old. Jewison, a three-time Oscar nominee, received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement in 1999. The details surrounding his death have not been disclosed at this time.
Throughout his career, Jewison blended light entertainment with topical films that held personal significance to him. After witnessing Jim Crow segregation during his military service in World War II, Jewison made racism and injustice recurring themes in his work. He believed it was necessary to confront these issues in order to understand good and evil. One of his notable films that explored these themes was “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier.
“In the Heat of the Night” received both praise and criticism. James Baldwin criticized the film for its unrealistic portrayal of racial harmony, while critics like Bosley Crowther of The New York Times found it powerful and inspiring. Ultimately, the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Steiger took home the Best Actor Oscar.
During the production of “In the Heat of the Night,” Jewison received encouragement from Robert F. Kennedy, whom he had met during a ski trip in Idaho. Kennedy emphasized the importance of timing in politics, art, and life itself, leaving a lasting impact on Jewison.
Aside from “In the Heat of the Night,” Jewison received two other Oscar nominations for “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Moonstruck.” His filmography also includes notable works such as “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “The Russian Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming,” “A Soldier’s Story,” and “The Hurricane.”
Jewison was married to Margaret Ann Dixon for 51 years until her death in 2004, and he later married Lynne St. David in 2010. He was honored with a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in Canada in 2003, and he remained closely connected to his home country throughout his life.
Jewison began his career in acting at a young age and later transitioned to directing. He directed television programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation before pursuing opportunities in Hollywood. His early directing work included TV musicals featuring stars like Judy Garland, Danny Kaye, and Harry Belafonte. Jewison ventured into feature films with “40 Pounds of Trouble” (1963) and continued making movies across various genres.
Reflecting on his career, Jewison mentioned that he never quite achieved the level of acceptance he desired from the industry but considered it a positive. Despite his ego and desire for recognition, he embraced not feeling entirely part of the establishment.
Norman Jewison’s most recent film, “The Statement,” was released in 2003 and starred Michael Caine and Tilda Swinton. Jewison’s influence on the film industry will not be forgotten, and his legacy as a versatile and thought-provoking director lives on.
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- Director Norman Jewison dead at 97 (cbsnews.com)