Taylor Hackford | |
|---|---|
 Hackford in January 2013 | |
| Born | Taylor Edwin Hackford (1944-12-31)December 31, 1944 (age 80) |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, includingRio |
Taylor Edwin Hackford (born December 31, 1944) is an American film director and former president of theDirectors Guild of America. He won theAcademy Award for Best Live Action Short Film forTeenage Father (1979). Hackford went on to direct a number of highly regarded feature films, most notablyAn Officer and a Gentleman (1982) andRay (2004), the latter of which he was nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Director andAcademy Award for Best Picture.
Hackford was born inSanta Barbara, California, the son of Mary (née Taylor), a waitress, and Joseph Hackford.[1] He graduated from theUniversity of Southern California in 1968,[2] where he was a pre-law major focusing on international relations and economics. After graduating, he served as aPeace Corps volunteer inBolivia, where he started using Super 8 film in his spare time. The camera was purchased for him by fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Steve Ball. He decided that he did not want to pursue a career in law, and instead got a mailroom position atKCET-TV.[3] At KCET he was the associate producer on theLeon Russell special "Homewood" in 1970.[4] In 1973 at KCET he produced the one-hour specialBukowski (about the poetCharles Bukowski), directed by Richard Davies.[5]
Hackford's feature directorial debut wasThe Idolmaker starredRay Sharkey, who was awarded a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of "Vinnie" in the film. The Music Supervisor was Richard Flanzer.[6] Hackford said ofThe Idolmaker, "I make films about working-class people; showbusiness is one of those things through which people can get themselves out of the lower rung of society. To me, the compelling story inThe Idolmaker is the guy with a wonderful talent and a fairly strong ego has to make it happen through puppets."
During the filming ofAn Officer and a Gentleman, Hackford keptLou Gossett Jr. in separate living quarters from the other actors so he could intimidate them more during his scenes as adrill instructor.[7]Richard Gere originally balked at shooting the ending, which involves his character arriving at his lover's factory wearing his Navydress whites and carrying her off from the factory floor. Gere thought the ending would not work because it was too sentimental, and Hackford was initially inclined to agree with Gere, until during a rehearsal when the extras playing the workers began to cheer and cry. But when Gere saw the scene later with the music underneath it at the right tempo, he said it sent chills up the back of his neck, and is now convinced Hackford made the right decision.[8]
In 1983, Taylor Hackford partnered withKeith Barish, film producer, to co-develop a film version ofAt Play in the Fields of the Lord, for which both Hackford and Barish received a lawsuit in 1986, claiming they had an option to exercise the rights fromMGM/UA Entertainment Co., a film distributor.[9]
Hackford said of his filmRay: "My proudest moments inRay were in those 'chitlin' clubs. Ray Charles ended his life in concert halls, where people would go in tuxedos and quietly listen to a genius perform. But in these clubs, he had to get people up dancing. What I tried to create was a little of that energy and exuberance. The great thing about music is when you can get people on their feet."[6]
In a 2005 interview, Hackford confirmed that he never watched his own films: "When I finish a film, I put it away and I never look at it again. Occasionally I do now because of the DVDs and the commentary tracks. I usually put it aside and go onto the next. I never went to film school. I worked for the KCET public television station in L.A. I worked in concerts. I have done a lot of music. I feel very comfortable shooting music, and I think you can see that."[10] Hackford has also directed music videos, including "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" byPhil Collins and "Say You, Say Me" byLionel Richie.
On July 25, 2009, Hackford was elected president of theDirectors Guild of America.[11] He was re-elected to a second, two-year term as president on June 25, 2011, at the DGA's National Biennial Convention inLos Angeles.[12]
Hackford has been married three times. He married his first wife, Georgie Lowres, in 1967; they have one child,Rio Hackford (1970–2022). The couple divorced in 1972. In 1977, Hackford marriedLynne Littman, with whom he has one child, Alexander Hackford, born in 1979; their marriage lasted until 1987. Hackford has been married toAcademy Award-winning actressHelen Mirren since 1997.
Hackford met Mirren when he was directing her inWhite Nights, although their first meeting did not go well: he kept her waiting to audition forWhite Nights, and she was icy. "It was a strange way to meet Helen, because she is a lovely person," says Hackford, "but she didn't hold back her fury."[13] Hackford and Mirren wed in 1997, although as a young woman Mirren had vowed never to marry.[13] The couple live along theNevada side ofLake Tahoe.[14]
In 2009, Hackford signed a petition in support of directorRoman Polanski, calling for his release after his arrest inSwitzerland in relation to his1977 charge for statutory rape,[15] after Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles District Attorney, tried to prosecute Polanski.[16]
| Year | Film | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Bukowski | No | Yes | Yes | Documentary |
| 1978 | Teenage Father | Yes | Yes | Yes | Short film Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film |
| 1980 | The Idolmaker | Yes | No | uncredited | |
| 1982 | An Officer and a Gentleman | Yes | No | No | Nominated-Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing |
| 1984 | Against All Odds | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1985 | White Nights | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1987 | Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll | Yes | No | No | Documentary |
| 1988 | Everybody's All-American | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1993 | Blood In, Blood Out | Yes | Yes | No | (originally:Bound by Honor) |
| 1995 | Dolores Claiborne | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1997 | The Devil's Advocate | Yes | Executive | No | |
| 2000 | Proof of Life | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2004 | Ray | Yes | Yes | Story | Nominated-Academy Award for Best Picture Nominated-Academy Award for Best Director Nominated-Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing |
| 2010 | Love Ranch | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2013 | Parker | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2016 | The Comedian | Yes | Yes | No |
Executive producer only
Producer only
| Year | Title | Academy Awards | BAFTAs | Golden Globes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | Nominations | Wins | ||
| 1978 | Teenage Father | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1980 | The Idolmaker | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 1982 | An Officer and a Gentleman | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
| 1984 | Against All Odds | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1985 | White Nights | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2004 | Ray | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 16 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 5 | |
