Robert Altman

Born in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 20, 1925, Robert Altman learned about filmmaking after a stint in the Air Force, where he produced documentaries, employee training films and educational shorts.

In 1957, he completed The Delinquents, which opened the door for his direction of high-profile TV series such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Maverick" and "Bonanza." Altman's first critical and financial success came with MASH (1970), for which he received the first of seven Oscar nods. The equally revered films The Long Goodbye (1973), Thieves Like Us (1974) and Nashville (1975) soon followed.

Known for working with large ensemble casts who deliver overlapping dialogue, Altman built a career replete with critical acclaim -- marked by films such as The Player (1993), Gosford Park (2001), which won the Oscar for Best Screenplay, and The Company (2003). Altman received an honorary Oscar in 2006 and died in November the same year at the age of 81.

Filmography