Robert Altman Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Robert Altman spent his time in the film industry directing films and writing scripts. He was also producing films.

Childhood

Robert Bernard Altman was born to Helen and Bernard Clement Altman on February 20, 1925. His father worked for an insurance company. 

Schooling

Robert Altman studied in schools managed by Society of Jesus and later Rockhurst High School, in Kansas. He completed his graduation from Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington in 1943.

Career

Robert Altman took an active part in the World War II by flying the war aircraft carrying bombs, in 1943. He was in the service of the Air Force until his discharge in 1946. Altman then moved to California in 1946. He took employment in a firm. During 1948 by an impulse he took to film making and sold a script to a film distributing company, for the film Body Guard. He was an instant success. He moved to New York to take up writing as a profession.

Robert Altman took up the job to direct and write for a film interested in education and film production. He directed a film Modern Football. Altman directed several industrial films. He was requested to direct and write a feature film on crimes in young. His movie, on this subject, was released in 1957. This effort was also a success.

Altman moved relocated himself in California. The film The James Dean Story was co-directed by him.

Television Work

Robert Altman ventured into directing TV series. The Pulse of the City was his first venture in a series of series. Given his good directional and writing skills, Alfred Hitchcock engaged Altman to direct the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series. But Altman left the assignment soon in view of some differences with the producer. The experience gained during this period in TV series decided his future course of action.

He devoted many years working in Television on Whirlybirds, The Millionaire and many other series. He used new techniques in the series on TV which was typical for him. He developed his previous event of Kraft Suspense as a stage publication in an event, Nightmare in Chicago. He tried his hand on producing the low-cost feature films.

In 1969, Robert Altman took to film MASH and tried unconventional procedures while shooting. The film was released in 1970. The film was appreciated on its release. He won Cannes Film Festival Award and Academy Awards nominations. This film was preserved by The Film Archive in 2000.

The several films produced have been a success. He started his own business, viz., Lion’s Gate Films in 1970, where he can have manufacturing liberty. He made a few films. The company was sold in 1981.

The film produced in 1992, “the Player “won the Best Director Award and nominated for Academy Awards three times. He won the Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival and nominated for Oscar. Altman continued winning many awards.

Personal

Robert Altman married LaVonne Elmer, in 1946, Lotus Corelli in 1954 and Kathryn Reed in 1959. Kathryn passed away in 2016.

He has six children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Awards

Robert Altman has been nominated for Academy Awards, as Best Director 6 times, British Academy Awards as Best Director, Berlin International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Directors Guild of America Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and Venice Film Festival. He has won many awards.

He has made 16 small films, several motion pictures, Television films, and many more.

Death

Robert Altman died on November 20, 2006, the cause of death being cancer.