Miloš Forman
Biography
Miloš Forman, born Jan Tomáš Forman on 18 February 1932 in Čáslav, then part of Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), was a Czech‑American film director, screenwriter, actor and professor. He achieved prominence in his native country during the Czechoslovak New Wave, with his 1967 film The Firemen’s Ball recognized by scholars and authorities as a sharp satire of Eastern European communism. The movie premiered during the Prague Spring but was subsequently banned after the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion. Forman emigrated to the United States in 1968 and continued his directing career, accumulating ninety‑three credited works. He died on 13 April 2018 at the age of 86.
Career overview
Miloš Forman was born on February 18, 1932 in Čáslav, then part of Czechoslovakia. He began his career as a film director in his native country and quickly rose to prominence during the Czechoslovak New Wave, a movement noted for its innovative storytelling and critical perspective. In 1967 he directed The Firemen’s Ball, a film that scholars and Czechoslovak authorities identified as a sharp satire of Eastern European communism. The movie premiered during the reformist atmosphere of the Prague Spring, but after the Warsaw Pact invasion of 1968 it was banned by the Communist government.
Following the political crackdown, Forman emigrated to the United States in 1968, where he continued to work as a director, screenwriter, actor and professor. His career in America built on the reputation he had established in Czechoslovakia, allowing him to contribute to both film and academic circles. Forman remained active in the industry until his death on April 13, 2018 at the age of 86. His legacy is marked by his early influence on the Czechoslovak New Wave and his later work in the United States, reflecting a lifetime devoted to cinema across two continents.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
109 titles- Forman vs. Forman (2019) as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- CzechMate: In Search of Jiří Menzel (2018) as Self
- Cannes 1968, révolution au palais (2018) as Self
- Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017) as Self
- To Make a Comedy Is No Fun (2016) as Self
- Chaplin - The Legend of the Century (2014) as Self
- Olga (2014) as Self
- The Presence of Arnošt Lustig (2012) as Self
- Milos Forman Taking Off in America (2012) as Self
- Beloved (2011) as Jaromil
- Carrière, 250 Meters (2011) as Self
- Mark Donskoy, King and Jester (2011)
- Once Upon a Time… One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (2011) as Self
- Miloš Forman (2010) as Self
- Sodankylä Forever (2010) as Self
- Shapes of Rhythm: The Music of Galt MacDermot (2010) as Self - Interviewee: Director
- Golden Sixties (2009) as Self
- A Walk Worthwhile (2009) Director
- It Is Hell with the Princess (2009) as čert Elrebub
- On the Trail of the New Wave (2009) as Self
- Miloš Forman: What Doesn't Kill You… (2009) as Self
- Life and Film: The Labyrinthine Biographies of Vojtech Jasny (2009) as Self
- Making of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (2009) as Self
- Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) as Self
- Fog City Mavericks (2007) as Self
- Goya's Ghosts (2006) Director
- Goya's Ghosts (2006) Screenplay
- Nomad: The Warrior (2005) Producer
- Filmmakers vs. Tycoons (2005) as Self
- François Truffaut, une autobiographie (2004) as Self
- Remembering Ragtime (2004) as Self
- A Decade Under the Influence (2003) as Self
- Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003) as Self
- Way Past Cool (2003) Executive Producer
- A Room Nearby (2003) as Self (voice)
- The Making of 'Amadeus' (2002) as Self - Director
- An Interview with Milos Forman (2002) as Themself
- Keeping the Faith (2000) as Father Havel
- The Beatles Revolution (2000) as Self
- The Directors: Milos Forman (2000) as Self
- In the Shadow of Hollywood (2000) as Self
- Man on the Moon (1999) Director
- Charlie Chaplin: A Tramp's Life (1998) as Self
- Who Is Henry Jaglom? (1997) as Self
- Completely Cuckoo (1997) as Self
- The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) Director
- Drawn from Memory (1995) as Self (voice)
- Dreams of Love (1992) Producer
- Why Havel? (1991) as voice
- The Republic Pictures Story (1991) as Self
- New Year's Day (1990) as Lazlo
- Valmont (1989) Director
- An Afternoon in the Park (1987) Thanks
- Heartburn (1986) as Dimitri
- The Statue of Liberty (1985) as Self - Film Director
- Amadeus (1984) Director
- Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby (1983) Executive Producer
- American Playhouse (1982) as Self (voice)
- Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter (1982) as Reader - The Biddle Brothers (voice)
- Ragtime (1981) Director
- Chytilová Versus Forman (1981) as Self
- Hair (1979) Director
- Please Turn the Page (1977) as Self
- Cérémonie des César (1976) as Self - President
- TVTV Looks at the Oscars (1976) as Self
- Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975) as Self
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Director
- Male of the Century (1975) Idea
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self
- Visions of Eight (1973) as Narrator
- Visions of Eight (1973) Director
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- I Miss Sonia Henie (1971) Writer
- I Miss Sonia Henie (1971) Director
- Taking Off (1971) Director
- Taking Off (1971) Writer
- The Nail Clippers (1969) Screenplay
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Omnibus (1967) as Self
- The Firemen's Ball (1967) Director
- The Firemen's Ball (1967) Screenplay
- A Well Paid Walk (1966) Director
- A Well Paid Walk (1966) Screenplay
- An Occasion to Speak (1966) as Self
- Loves of a Blonde (1965) Director
- Loves of a Blonde (1965) Screenplay
- Loves of a Blonde (1965) Story
- Audition (1964) Story
- Audition (1964) Screenplay
- Audition (1964) Director
- Black Peter (1964) Screenplay
- Black Peter (1964) Director
- Black Peter (1964) Story
- There behind the forest (1962)
- There behind the forest (1962) First Assistant Director
- Ceiling (1962)
- Laterna magika II (1960) Writer
- Laterna magika II (1960) Director
- Puppies (1958) Story
- Puppies (1958) Screenplay
- Puppies (1958) First Assistant Director
- Vintage Car (1957)
- Vintage Car (1957) Assistant Director
- Silvery Wind (1956)
- Nechte to na mně (1955) Screenplay
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Slovo dělá ženu (1953)
- Milos Forman: Portrait
- Milos Forman: What Happened Was... as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Miloš Forman best known for?
Miloš Forman is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Goya's Ghosts (2006), Goya's Ghosts (2006), Keeping the Faith (2000), Man on the Moon (1999).
When and where was Miloš Forman born?
Miloš Forman was born on February 18, 1932 in Čáslav, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]. They passed away on April 13, 2018.
How many credits does Miloš Forman have?
Miloš Forman has accumulated over 109 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2019.
What is Miloš Forman's background in cinema and television?
Miloš Forman, born Jan Tomáš Forman on 18 February 1932 in Čáslav, then part of Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), was a Czech‑American film director, screenwriter, actor and professor. He achieved prominence in his native country during the Czechoslovak New Wave, with his 1967 film The Firemen’s Ball recognized ...
Miloš Forman by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Spécial cinéma (1974) as Self — aged about 42
- Omnibus (1967) as Self — aged about 35
- Visions of Eight (1973) as Narrator — aged about 41
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 21
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest — aged about 36
- American Playhouse (1982) as Self (voice) — aged about 50
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