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George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time.
- Beatrice Welles
Beatrice Giuditta Welles (also known as Beatrice Mori di...
- Orson S. Head
Orson Sherman Head (October 9, 1817 – February 19, 1875) was...
- Orson Welles Radio Credits
Orson Welles, arms upraised, directing a rehearsal of CBS...
- Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film directed by,...
- Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth (born Margarita Carmen Cansino; October 17,...
- International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) is an...
- Beatrice Welles
- Who Was Orson Welles?
- Early Years
- 'War of The Worlds'
- Movies: 'Citizen Kane'
- Later Years: 'The Stranger' and 'Macbeth'
- Death
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Orson Welles began his career as a stage actor before going on to radio, creating his unforgettable version of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. In Hollywood, he left his artistically indelible mark with such works as Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons. He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California, on October 10, 1985.
Welles was born on May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His parents, Richard and Beatrice, were both incredibly bright people who introduced their son to worlds that went far beyond his Wisconsin roots. Through his father, an inventor who'd made a fortune inventing a carbide lamp for bicycles, Welles met actors and sportsmen. His mother was a concer...
The Houseman-Welles partnership proved to be an important one. In 1937, the 21-year-old Welles, fresh off directing an all-Black cast in a version of Macbeth, teamed up with Houseman to form the Mercury Theatre. Its first production, an adaption of Julius Caesarin contemporary dress and with tones of Fascist Italy, was a huge success. Several more ...
Even while drawing the ire of some of his listeners, the broadcast cemented Welles's status as a genius, and his talents quickly became a fascination for Hollywood. In 1940, Welles signed a $225,000 contract with RKO to write, direct and produce two films. The deal gave the young filmmaker total creative control, as well as a percentage of the prof...
For several years Welles stuck around Hollywood. He married "love goddess" Rita Hayworth in 1943, and starred in an adaptation of Jane Eyre that debuted in the United States the following February. Welles then directed The Stranger (1946) and Macbeth (1948), but he wasn't long for California; the same year he made Macbeth, he divorced Hayworth and ...
He did his last interview on October 10, 1985, just two hours before his death, when he appeared on The Merv Griffin Show. Not long after returning to his Los Angeles home, he suffered a heart attack and died.
Learn about the life and career of Orson Welles, a genius filmmaker who created Citizen Kane and War of the Worlds. Explore his stage, radio and Hollywood achievements, as well as his personal and professional challenges.
May 27, 2024 · Orson Welles, American film actor, director, producer, and writer whose classic Citizen Kane (1941) is known for its innovative narrative techniques and its use of photography, dramatic lighting, and music to further the dramatic line. Learn more about Welles’s life and career.
- Michael Barson
Orson Welles filmography. Orson Welles (1915–1985) was an American director, actor, writer, and producer who is best remembered for his innovative work in radio, theatre and film. He is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time.
YearTitleRole1937Narrator1940Narrator1941Himself1941Learn about the life and career of Orson Welles, a legendary filmmaker, actor, and radio personality. From his early stage and radio work to his masterpieces like Citizen Kane and Touch of Evil, discover his achievements, challenges, and legacy.
- May 6, 1915
- October 10, 1985
Learn about the life and career of Orson Welles, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and director of 'Citizen Kane'. Explore his troubled childhood, his stage and radio debuts, his Hollywood struggles, and his notable works.
IMDb provides a comprehensive overview of the life and career of Orson Welles, a legendary actor, writer, director, and producer. Learn about his early years, his famous works, his achievements, and his legacy.
