Norman Jewison
Biography
Norman Frederick Jewison, CC, O.Ont, was a Canadian film director, producer, actor and founder of the Canadian Film Centre. Born in Toronto, Ontario, on July 21 1926, he died on January 20 2024 at the age of 97. Over a career that included 84 credited works, Jewison is noted for directing socially and politically resonant films that reached mainstream audiences. His most recognized directing credits include In the Heat of the Night (1967), The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Moonstruck (1987), The Hurricane (1999) and The Statement (2003). He was also known by the abbreviated name Norman Fr.
Career overview
Norman Frederick Jewison was born on July 21 1926 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and pursued a multifaceted career as a film director, producer, actor, and founder of the Canadian Film Centre. Over the course of his life he amassed eighty‑four directing credits, a body of work that reflects both commercial appeal and a willingness to engage with socially relevant material. Jewison’s career spanned more than five decades, during which he remained a prominent figure in North American cinema.
Among his most widely recognized directing achievements are the 1967 crime drama In the Heat of the Night, the stylish heist film The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), and the musical adaptation Fiddler on the Roof (1971). He continued to explore diverse genres with the rock‑opera Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), the romantic comedy Moonstruck (1987), the biographical drama The Hurricane (1999), and the political thriller The Statement (2003). Throughout these projects Jewison consistently addressed important social and political issues, often presenting controversial or complex subjects in a manner that reached mainstream audiences. He died on January 20 2024 at the age of ninety‑seven, leaving a legacy defined by both artistic versatility and a commitment to making challenging topics accessible through film.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
109 titles- Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand (2024) as Self
- Boris Karloff: The Rest of the Story (2022) as Self - Interviewee
- Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen (2022) as self
- Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (2021) as Self
- Sid & Judy (2019) as Self (voice)
- Hal (2019) as Self
- Style and Substance: Norman Jewison and Hal Ashby (2019)
- The River of My Dreams (2017)
- Superstars: The Documentary (2015)
- Making of The Russians are Coming (2015)
- I Am Steve McQueen (2014) as Self
- Pablo (2012) as Self
- A Love Story of Today (2008) as Self
- Quincy Jones: Breaking New Sound (2008) as Self
- A Special Kind of Love (2008) as Self
- Turning Up the Heat: Movie Making in the 60's (2008) as Self
- Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search for Truth (2008) as Self
- Private Screenings: Norman Jewison (2007) as Director
- Moonstruck: At the Heart of an Italian Family (2006) as Self
- Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool (2005) as Self
- Judy Garland: By Myself (2004) as Self - Executive Producer (voice)
- Tell Them Who You Are (2004) as Self
- Edge Codes.com: The Art of Motion Picture Editing (2004) as Self
- The Statement (2003) Producer
- The Statement (2003) Director
- Reel Radicals: The Sixties Revolution in Film (2002) as Self (uncredited)
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories (2002) as Self
- Dinner with Friends (2001) Director
- Dinner with Friends (2001) Executive Producer
- Walter and Henry (2001) Executive Producer
- Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light (2000)
- The Man on Lincoln's Nose (2000) as Self
- Return to the Arena: The Making of 'Rollerball' (2000)
- The Hurricane (1999) Producer
- The Hurricane (1999) Director
- Funny Is Money (1999) Director
- An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn (1998) as Self (uncredited)
- Mythos Hollywood - Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs (1998) as Self
- The Stupids (1996) as TV Director
- Bogus (1996) Producer
- Bogus (1996) Director
- Picture Windows (1995) Director
- Picture Windows: Armed Response (1995) Executive Producer
- Picture Windows: Language of the Heart (1995) Executive Producer
- Picture Windows: Soir Bleu (1995) Director
- Picture Windows: Soir Bleu (1995) Executive Producer
- Dance Me Outside (1995) Executive Producer
- Only You (1994) Producer
- Only You (1994) Director
- Inside the Actors Studio (1994) as Self
- Picture Windows: Song of Songs (1994) Executive Producer
- Geronimo (1993) Executive Producer
- Other People's Money (1991) Director
- Other People's Money (1991) Producer
- Highway 61 (1991) Thanks
- Steve McQueen: Man on the Edge (1990) as Self
- The January Man (1989) Producer
- In Country (1989) Director
- In Country (1989) Producer
- Moonstruck (1987) Producer
- Moonstruck (1987) Director
- Agnes of God (1985) Director
- Agnes of God (1985) Producer
- Iceman (1984) Producer
- A Soldier's Story (1984) Director
- A Soldier's Story (1984) Producer
- Best Friends (1982) Director
- Best Friends (1982) Producer
- The Dogs of War (1980) Executive Producer
- ...And Justice for All (1979) Director
- ...And Justice for All (1979) Producer
- F.I.S.T. (1978) Director
- F.I.S.T. (1978) Producer
- F.I.S.T. (1978) Screenplay
- Rollerball (1975) Director
- Rollerball (1975) Producer
- From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle (1975)
- Billy Two Hats (1974) Producer
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) as Man (voice) (uncredited)
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Screenplay
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Director
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) Producer
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Director
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971) Producer
- Norman Jewison, Film Maker (1971) as Self
- The Landlord (1970) as Wedding Guest in Opening Shot (uncredited)
- The Landlord (1970) Producer
- Gaily, Gaily (1969) Director
- Gaily, Gaily (1969) Producer
- The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) Director
- The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) Producer
- In the Heat of the Night (1967) Director
- The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) Director
- The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966) Producer
- The Cincinnati Kid (1965) Director
- The Art of Love (1965) Director
- Send Me No Flowers (1964) Director
- The Thrill of It All (1963) Director
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962) Director
- The Broadway of Lerner and Loewe (1962) Director
- The Judy Garland Show (1962) Producer
- The Judy Garland Show (1962) Director
- The Million Dollar Incident (1961) Director
- The Fabulous Fifties (1960) Director
- The Big Party (1959) Director
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Canadian Pacific (1949) as Joe Podge (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Norman Jewison best known for?
Norman Jewison is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Hurricane (1999), The Hurricane (1999), The Stupids (1996), Cry in the Woods (2004).
When and where was Norman Jewison born?
Norman Jewison was born on July 21, 1926 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They passed away on January 20, 2024.
How many credits does Norman Jewison have?
Norman Jewison has accumulated over 109 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1949 to 2024.
What is Norman Jewison's background in cinema and television?
Norman Frederick Jewison, CC, O.Ont, was a Canadian film director, producer, actor and founder of the Canadian Film Centre. Born in Toronto, Ontario, on July 21 1926, he died on January 20 2024 at the age of 97. Over a career that included 84 credited works, Jewison is noted for directing socially and politically reson...
Norman Jewison by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self — aged about 35
- Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) as Man (voice) (uncredited) — aged about 46
- Steve McQueen: Man on the Edge (1990) as Self — aged about 63
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 26
- The Landlord (1970) as Wedding Guest in Opening Shot (uncredited) — aged about 43
- Canadian Pacific (1949) as Joe Podge (uncredited) — aged about 22
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