Biographies: Robert Z. Leonard - Director

Biographies

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An American director who was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA on October 7, 1889. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for his films. He married two wives and had no children. His works include The Divorcee (1930), Judge Not; or the Woman of Mona Diggings (1915), The Master Key (1914), and The Great Ziegfeld (1936). He worked as an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He studied law at Chicago at the University of Colorado and gave up his legal profession in favor of theatrical work, In 1907, he sought to work in the newly emerging film industry and began as a silent actor; afterwards, he became a star for short films. He moved to directing in 1913 and directed several short comedies, in addition to his work as an actor, and he contracted with the Universal Company. He worked with his wife, actress May Murray, with whom he founded Tiffany Productions, after their marriage. In 1924, he moved with his wife to work with MGM, and in 1925, he separated from his wife; two years later, he separated from MGM and married actress Gertrude Olmsted. As a director, he excelled in musical and romantic comedies, such as Dancing Lady (1933) with Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone, and Clark Gable. He presented with Universal his last work, Kelly and Me (1956). He lived with his wife Gertrude in Beverly Hills until he died from an aneurysm at the age of 79.

• 4 October 2021
• Christina Aziz