Billy Wilder
Biography
Billy Wilder was a director, screenwriter, and producer born on June 22, 1906, in Sucha, Galicia, Austria-Hungary. He is regarded as one of the most successful filmmakers of Hollywood's golden age. Wilder's career began in Germany, where he worked as a writer for comedy films from 1930. After emigrating to the United States in 1933, he continued to write screenplays, including those for notable films. Wilder is one of only five people to have won Academy Awards as producer, director, and writer for the same film. He is known for directing comedies, as well as dramas and film noirs. Wilder passed away on March 27, 2002, at the age of 95.
Career overview
Billy Wilder was born on June 22, 1906, in Sucha, Galicia, Austria-Hungary. He began his career in Germany, working as a writer for comedy films from 1930. After the Nazis seized power in 1933, Wilder emigrated to the United States.
In the US, Wilder continued to write screenplays for various films. He is known to have worked on Ernst Lubitsch's Ninotchka, released in 1939, and Howard Hawks' Ball of Fire, also released in 1941. Wilder's work as a screenwriter laid the groundwork for his future success as a director.
Wilder is regarded as one of the most successful filmmakers of Hollywood's golden age. He is known for directing comedies, as well as dramas and film noirs. Wilder's career spanned many years, during which he directed numerous films. He is one of only five people to have won Academy Awards as producer, director, and writer for the same film, which is The Apartment.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
150 titles- Audrey (2020) as Self - Filmmaker (voice) (archive footage)
- Hollywood's Second World War (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- La Garçonnière (2018) Original Story
- Never Be Boring: Billy Wilder (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Billy Wilder: Nobody's Perfect (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- The Making of 'Some Like It Hot' (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- The Making of 'Some Like It Hot' (2006) Thanks
- The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot' (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot' (2006) Thanks
- Billy Wilder Speaks (2006) as Self - Filmmaker
- Un film et son époque (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Klaus Kinski: I'm not an actor (2000) as Self (archive footage)
- Sternstunde Kunst (1998) as Self
- Billy Wilder: The Human Comedy (1998) as Self
- Walter Matthau: Diamond in the Rough (1997) as Self
- Jack Lemmon: America's Everyman (1996) as Self
- Fred MacMurray: The Guy Next Door (1996) as Self
- Sabrina (1995) Original Film Writer
- Audrey Hepburn: Remembered (1993) as Self
- Billy, How Did You Do It? (1992) as Self
- Billy, How Did You Do It? (1992) as Self
- Film Lesson (1991) as Self
- The Exiles (1989) as Self
- Directed by William Wyler (1986) as Self
- Witness for the Prosecution (1982) Screenplay
- Portrait of a '60% Perfect Man': Billy Wilder (1982) as Self
- Sugar (1982) Original Film Writer
- Buddy Buddy (1981) Director
- Buddy Buddy (1981) Writer
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Fedora (1978) Director
- Fedora (1978) Writer
- Fedora (1978) Producer
- Regie: Billy Wilder (1978) as Self
- The Hollywood Greats: Charles Laughton (1978) as Self
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- The Front Page (1974) Director
- The Front Page (1974) Screenplay
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- Double Indemnity (1973) Screenplay
- Avanti! (1972) Director
- Avanti! (1972) Screenplay
- Avanti! (1972) Producer
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) Director
- The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) Writer
- The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) Producer
- The Fortune Cookie (1966) Director
- The Fortune Cookie (1966) Producer
- The Fortune Cookie (1966) Writer
- The Legend of Marilyn Monroe (1966)
- Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) Director
- Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) Producer
- Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) Screenplay
- Irma la Douce (1963) Director
- Irma la Douce (1963) Screenplay
- Irma la Douce (1963) Producer
- One, Two, Three (1961) Director
- One, Two, Three (1961) Screenplay
- One, Two, Three (1961) Producer
- The Apartment (1960) Producer
- The Apartment (1960) Director
- The Apartment (1960) Writer
- Some Like It Hot (1959) Director
- Some Like It Hot (1959) Producer
- Some Like It Hot (1959) Screenplay
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Director
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Screenplay
- Love in the Afternoon (1957) Director
- Love in the Afternoon (1957) Screenplay
- Love in the Afternoon (1957) Producer
- The Spirit of St. Louis (1957) Director
- The Spirit of St. Louis (1957) Screenplay
- The Spirit of St. Louis (1957) Producer
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self
- The Seven Year Itch (1955) Director
- The Seven Year Itch (1955) Producer
- The Seven Year Itch (1955) Screenplay
- Sabrina (1954) Director
- Sabrina (1954) Screenplay
- Sabrina (1954) Producer
- Emil and the Detectives (1954) Screenplay
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Stalag 17 (1953) Producer
- Stalag 17 (1953) Writer
- Stalag 17 (1953) Director
- German Film Award (1951) as Self
- Ace in the Hole (1951) Director
- Ace in the Hole (1951) Writer
- Ace in the Hole (1951) Producer
- Sunset Boulevard (1950) Director
- Sunset Boulevard (1950) Screenplay
- A Song Is Born (1948) Story
- A Song Is Born (1948) Original Film Writer
- A Foreign Affair (1948) Director
- A Foreign Affair (1948) Screenplay
- The Emperor Waltz (1948) Director
- The Emperor Waltz (1948) Writer
- The Bishop's Wife (1947) Additional Writing
- The Lost Weekend (1945) Screenplay
- The Lost Weekend (1945) Director
- Death Mills (1945) Editor
- Death Mills (1945) Director
- Masquerade in Mexico (1945) Original Film Writer
- Double Indemnity (1944) Director
- Double Indemnity (1944) Screenplay
- Five Graves to Cairo (1943) Director
- Five Graves to Cairo (1943) Screenplay
- The Major and the Minor (1942) Director
- The Major and the Minor (1942) Writer
- Ball of Fire (1941) Screenplay
- Ball of Fire (1941) Original Story
- Hold Back the Dawn (1941) Writer
- Arise, My Love (1940) Screenplay
- Rhythm on the River (1940) Story
- Ninotchka (1939) Screenplay
- Midnight (1939) Screenplay
- What a Life (1939) Screenplay
- Bluebeard's 8th Wife (1938) Screenplay
- That Certain Age (1938) Writer
- Champagne Waltz (1937) Story
- First Offence (1936) Original Story
- Emil and the Detectives (1935) Screenplay
- The Lottery Lover (1935) Screenplay
- Bad Seed (1934) Director
- Bad Seed (1934) Writer
- Music in the Air (1934) Screenplay
- One Exciting Adventure (1934) Story
- What Women Dream (1933) Screenplay
- Madame Wants No Children (1933) Screenplay
- Adorable (1933) Writer
- Scampolo, ein Kind der Straße (1932) Writer
- The Winner (1932) Writer
- A Blonde Dream (1932) Writer
- The Blue from the Sky (1932) Screenplay
- Happy Ever After (1932) Writer
- Once There Was a Waltz (1932) Writer
- Where Is This Lady? (1932) Story
- Emil and the Detectives (1931) Screenplay
- The Wrong Husband (1931) Writer
- Her Grace Commands (1931) Writer
- The Man in Search of His Murderer (1931) Screenplay
- Infidelities (1931) Story
- Princess, At Your Orders! (1931) Writer
- People on Sunday (1930) Screenplay
- The fight with the dragon or: The tragedy of the lodger (1930) Writer
- Der Teufelsreporter (1929) Writer
- Sunset Boulevard Original Film Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Billy Wilder best known for?
Billy Wilder is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Sternstunde Kunst (1998), Sabrina (1995), Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater (1987), Buddy Buddy (1981).
When and where was Billy Wilder born?
Billy Wilder was born on June 22, 1906 in Sucha, Galicia, Austria-Hungary. They passed away on March 27, 2002.
How many credits does Billy Wilder have?
Billy Wilder has accumulated over 150 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1929 to 2020.
What is Billy Wilder's background in cinema and television?
Billy Wilder was a director, screenwriter, and producer born on June 22, 1906, in Sucha, Galicia, Austria-Hungary. He is regarded as one of the most successful filmmakers of Hollywood's golden age. Wilder's career began in Germany, where he worked as a writer for comedy films from 1930. After emigrating to the United S...
Billy Wilder by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self — aged about 68
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self — aged about 50
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self — aged about 72
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 47
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self — aged about 67
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self — aged about 69
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