On this day in 1989, actor and director John Cassavetes died

·

John Cassavetes was a globally recognised Greek-American actor and director, regarded as the pioneer of American independent film.

Born December 9, 1929 in New York City, John Cassavetes was the younger of two sons of Greek immigrants, Nicholas and Katherine Cassavetes. He grew up in New York and attended the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1950. In his graduating year, Cassavetes also met his future wife, Gena Rowlands.

Cassavetes kick started his acting career in the film, Taxi (Gregory Ratoff, 1953), playing a minor part. A year later he began acting in short teleplays, beginning with Paso Double (for the Omnibus series). Cassavetes became typecast as a “troubled youth” in these programs and the motion pictures that were based on these plays. Among these films were Edge of the City (Martin Ritt, 1956) and Crime in the Streets (Don Siegel, 1957).

Appearing on Jean Shepherd’s Night People radio show, Cassavetes spoke about an alternative to Hollywood cinema, looking to launch his first independent film. Shepherd’s audience sent in donations totalling around $20,000, later embarking on creating his first film, Shadows.

The film changed the landscape of American cinema. Actors improvised within loosely defined situations and the story evolved as the shooting progressed. Everything was filmed with a hand-held 16mm camera.

Cassavetes screened Shadows in Europe, unable to find interested distributors in America. It was later released in America in 1961.

After the success of his film, Paramount hired him on to make a series of films, but later fired him after his first film didn’t reach audience standards.

Cassavetes acted in several films – most notably Rosemary’s Baby (Polanski, 1967) and The Dirty Dozen (Aldrich, 1967), for which he was nominated for an Oscar.

A new film, Faces, was later on the horizon, and was shot and edited in 16mm over three years. It premiered in 1968 and was a financial and critical success, being nominated of two Academy Awards and winning five awards at the Venice Film Festival.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Cassavetes worked independently or with modest studio backing when it was offered with complete artistic control. In the latter category are Husbands (Columbia, 1970), Minnie and Moskowitz (Universal, 1971), Gloria (Columbia, 1980), and Love Streams (Cannon, 1984). Of the self-financed are The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976/78), Opening Night (1978), and what many consider Cassavetes’ finest film, A Woman Under the Influence (1974).

After a three-and-a-half year illness, John Cassavetes died February 3, 1989. His spirit continues to inspire countless independent and maverick filmmakers around the world.

Sourced By: Cassavetes’ Biography

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek film festival turns 30 with a Stellar Line-Up of Award-Winning films

The Greek Film Festival is celebrating a major anniversary this year - 30 years of bringing Greek stories to Australian screens.

Summer School for Greek Language teachers in Australia

For the first time in Australia, a specialized online summer school will be held for teachers of the Greek language in the diaspora.

Children’s week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Children’s Week the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools are taking part in the celebrations organised by the Victorian Government

Get Online Week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Get Online Week 2025, the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria will proudly join Good Things Foundation’s national campaign.

St Benedict School in Mt Torrens rejects screens, embraces ancient Greek philosophy

Established in early 2024 by members of the Catholic Church of the Holy Name, St Benedict has grown to around 50 students.

You May Also Like

Archbishop Makarios inaugurates renovated soup kitchen dining hall in Sydney’s Newtown

Archbishop Makarios of Australia inaugurated the newly renovated soup kitchen dining hall at the Parish of Saints Constantine and Helen.

‘100 Years of Bithikotsis 1922-2022’ concert set to pay tribute to music icon

One of the many stand out events in the 2022 Greek Festival of Sydney cultural program is the 100 Years of Bithikotsis 1922-2022 concert.

Natalie Saridakis among new paramedics in training to join NSW Ambulance for 2025

NSW Ambulance has welcomed 91 paramedics in training who were officially inducted into the service in a ceremony held last week.