John Nicholas Cassavetes was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter of Greek descent. Cassavetes was a pioneer of American independent film, writing and directing over a dozen movies, which he partially self-financed. He also acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Dirty Dozen (1967). He studied acting with Don Richardson, utilizing an alternative technique to method acting which privileged character over traditional narrative. His income from acting made it possible for him to direct his own films independently.