William Wyler: the story on HearLore

William Wyler

Willi Wyler was born on the 1st of July, 1902, in Mulhouse, Alsace-Lorraine. His father Leopold ran a thriving haberdashery business there. The young boy attended multiple schools and earned a reputation as a hellraiser who got expelled more than once for misbehavior. After World War I, his family lost their home to France. He spent a dismal year working at 100.000 Chemises selling shirts and ties in Paris. Poverty forced him to wander the Pigalle district often. His mother Melanie contacted her cousin Carl Laemmle about opportunities for him. Laemmle hired Wyler to work at Universal Studios in New York in 1921. Wyler traveled aboard a ship with Laemmle and met Paul Kohner during that voyage. They had to repay their passage costs from their $25 weekly income as messengers. Wyler moved to Los Angeles around 1923 to begin work on the Universal Studios lot. He started in the swing gang cleaning stages and moving sets. His break came when he was hired as a second assistant editor.

The Youngest Director On Lot

Wyler put all his efforts into becoming a director after some ups and downs including getting fired. By 1925 he became the youngest director on the Universal lot directing westerns. He would dream about different ways for an actor to get on a horse while engrossed in his work. In several of the one-reelers he joined the posse in the inevitable chase of the bad man. He directed his first non-Western Anybody Here Seen Kelly? in 1928. This was followed by his first part-talkie films The Shakedown and The Love Trap. He proved himself an able craftsman. In 1928 he became a naturalized United States citizen. His first all-talking film Hell's Heroes was filmed entirely on location in the Mojave Desert in 1929. It was Universal's first sound production to be filmed entirely on location. Wyler went on to win the Academy Award for Best Director three times later in his career. Mrs. Miniver won him his first award in 1942. The Best Years of Our Lives brought him another in 1946. Ben-Hur secured his third win in 1959.

When was William Wyler born and where did he grow up?

William Wyler was born on the 1st of July, 1902, in Mulhouse, Alsace-Lorraine. He grew up there before his family lost their home to France after World War I.

How many Academy Awards for Best Director did William Wyler win?

William Wyler won the Academy Award for Best Director three times during his career. His wins came for Mrs. Miniver in 1942, The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946, and Ben-Hur in 1959.

What happened to William Wyler's hearing while serving in the military?

William Wyler became deaf in one ear after being exposed to loud noise while filming Thunderbolt! during World War II. He eventually regained partial hearing with the aid of a hearing aid years later.

Which film directed by William Wyler cost $15 million to produce?

Ben-Hur cost $15 million to produce when it was released in 1959. It became the most expensive film ever made at that time and earned $90 million worldwide by the end of 1961.

When did William Wyler die and what caused his death?

William Wyler died of a heart attack on the 27th of July, 1981. He had previously received the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award eleven years before his death.

William Wyler

The Youngest Director On Lot

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Common questions

When was William Wyler born and where did he grow up?

How many Academy Awards for Best Director did William Wyler win?

What happened to William Wyler's hearing while serving in the military?

Which film directed by William Wyler cost $15 million to produce?

When did William Wyler die and what caused his death?

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