Harold Becker (96)

Wissenswertes

Geboren: ✹ 25. September 1928 in USA

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Biographie

American director Harold Becker was born on September 25, 1928 in New York City, New York. He began his career as a still photographer and later on moved to direct TV commercials and short films. His directorial debut conducting a feature film was with the drama The Ragman's Daughter (1972). His second feature was the acclaimed Mord im Zwiebelfeld (1979), a dark cop thriller starring John Savage and James Woods, on a remarkable role that brought him recognition from the public and several award nominations as Best Supporting Actor in the role of a dangerous and menacing cop killer.

The 1980's presents Becker has a solid director who can work many different genres: the comedy Nieten unter sich (1980); the military drama Die Kadetten von Bunker Hill (1981) where he directed youngsters Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn and Tom Cruise alongside veteran George C. Scott; the sports-themed film Crazy for you - Liebe auf der Ringermatte (1985); two musical videos for Madonna; the heavy drug drama Der Preis des Erfolges (1988) again collaborating with Woods; and the neo-noir Sea of Love - Melodie des Todes (1989) where he resurrected the career of Al Pacino.

The box-office suspense Malice - Eine Intrige (1993), the political thriller City Hall (1996) and the action Das Mercury Puzzle (1998) compose Becker's career in the 1990's directing big Hollywood stars and establishing him as one of the most versatile directors of the period.

After the thriller Tödliches Vertrauen (2001) Becker never returned to film directing, possibly retired after not having many invitations to directed another feature.