Gene Saks

Gene Saks

Directed 2 actresses to Oscar nominations: Mildred Natwick (Best Supporting Actress, Barefoot in the Park (1967)), and Goldie Hawn (Best Supporting Actress, Cactus Flower (1969)). Hawn won an Oscar for her performance.

Directed both the Broadway show and film version of "Mame" that featured then-wife Bea Arthur.

Early career was spent as an Actors Studio-trained actor making his debut on Broadway in "South Pacific."

Father of Daniel Saks and Matthew Saks.

Has a daughter Annabelle (born 1981) by wife Keren.



Known for his close, over two-decade association with writer Neil Simon, which included directing Simon's film versions of Barefoot in the Park (1967), The Odd Couple (1968), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972), and Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986).

Saks was married to actress Bea Arthur from 1950-1978.

Trained at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research; education received at Cornell University.

Won Broadway's Tony Award three Times: as Best Director (Musical), in 1977 for "I Love My Wife," and as Best Director (Play), in 1983 for "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and in 1985 for "Biloxi Blues." He was also Tony-nominated on four other occasions: as Best Director (Musical), in 1965 for "Half a Sixpence" and in 1966 for "Mame," as Best Director (Dramatic), in 1975 for "Same Time, Next Year;" and as Best Director (Play) in 1991 for "Lost in Yonkers."


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