Sydney Pollack
Sydney Pollack (born
July 1,
1934 in
Lafayette, Indiana) is an
American film director, producer and actor. His career started in the 1960s, directing episodes of TV series such as
The Fugitive and
Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Pollack studied with
Sanford Meisner at The
Neighborhood Playhouse in
New York City before embarking on his acting career. He then moved behind the camera to direct and produce. He won the
Academy Award for Directing for
Out of Africa (1985).
While directing
Tootsie, his rows with
Dustin Hoffman became well known. Eventually Hoffman began pushing the idea that Pollack play the role of his agent and Pollack reluctantly agreed. Their off-screen relationship added authenticity to their scenes in the movie, most of which feature them arguing. Pollack has since taken on more acting roles in addition to producing and directing.
As a character actor, Pollack has subsequently appeared in films such as
A Civil Action and
Eyes Wide Shut, as well as his own including
The Interpreter. He also appeared in
Woody Allen's
Husbands and Wives as a New York intellectual undergoing a mid-life crisis.
He had a recurring
guest star role on the
NBC sitcom Will & Grace, playing
Will Truman's (
Eric McCormack) unfaithful but loving father, George Truman.
The Interpreter (2005) director, executive producer, and actor
Cold Mountain (2003) producer
The Quiet American (2002) executive producer
Changing Lanes (2002) actor
Iris (2001) executive producer
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) executive producer
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) actor
Random Hearts (1999) director
Sliding Doors (1998) producer
*
Sabrina (1995) director/producer
Sense and Sensibility (1995) executive producer
The Firm (1993) director/producer
Husbands and Wives (1992) actor
*
Havana (1990) director/co-producer
The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) executive producer
Out of Africa (1985) director/producer
Tootsie (1982) director/producer/actor
Absence of Malice (1981) director/producer
The Electric Horseman (1979) director/actor
Bobby Deerfield (1977) director/producer
The Yakuza (1975) director/producer
Three Days of the Condor (1975) director
The Way We Were (1973) director
Jeremiah Johnson (1972) director
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) director/screenwriter/producer
Castle Keep (1969) director
The Swimmer (1968) co-director
The Scalphunters' (1968) director
*
This Property Is Condemned (1966) director
The Slender Thread (1965) director
