John Cassavetes

John Cassavetes was a Greek-American filmmaker and actor. He began as an actor in film and television before helping to pioneer modern American independent cinema as a writer and director, often self-financing, producing, and distributing his own films. He received nominations for three Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy Award.

After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Cassavetes started his career in television acting in numerous network dramas. From 1959 to 1960 he played the title role in the NBC detective series Johnny Staccato. He then acted in notable films such as Martin Ritt's film noir Edge of the City (1957), Robert Aldrich's war film The Dirty Dozen (1967), Roman Polanski's horror film Rosemary's Baby (1968), and Elaine May's crime drama Mikey and Nicky (1976). For The Dirty Dozen, he earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

As a director, Cassavetes became known for a string of critically acclaimed independent films including Shadows (1959), Faces (1968), Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), and Love Streams (1984). His films employed an actor-centered approach which prioritized raw character relationships and "small feelings" while rejecting traditional Hollywood storytelling, method acting, and stylization. His films became associated with an improvisational aesthetic and a cinéma vérité feel. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay (Faces) and Best Director (A Woman Under the Influence).

He frequently collaborated with American actor Gena Rowlands, to whom he was married from 1954 until his death in 1989, and friends Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara, and Seymour Cassel.

Family life

Cassavetes was born in New York City on December 9, 1929, the son of Greek-American actress Katherine Cassavetes (née Demetre), who was later featured in some of his films, and Greek immigrant Nicholas John Cassavetes. His early years were spent with his family in Greece; when he returned to New York at the age of seven, he spoke no English.

Cassavetes was married to American actor Gena Rowlands from 1954 until his death in 1989. Many of his films were shot and edited in his and Rowlands' own Los Angeles home. He and Rowlands had a son named Nick and two daughters named Alexandra and Zoe, all of whom followed them into acting and filmmaking.

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Sources

• "John Cassavetes." FindAGrave, originally published 25 April 1998. < link > Accessed 16 August 2024.
• "John Cassavetes." Wikipedia, revision of 16 August 2024. < link > Accessed 16 August 2024.
• "John Cassavetes & Virginia Rowlands." New York City Marriages, 1950-2017 via MyHeritage. < link > Accessed 16 August 2024.
  • NOTE: Marriage license dated 9 March 1954. Marriage performed 19 March 1954.
• "Miss Rowlands Will Be Bride in New York City." The Milwaukee Journal via MyHeritage, published 17 March 1954, p. 4-2. < link > Accessed 16 August 2024.