George Roy Hill

George Roy Hill was a famous American director. He was born on 20th December 1921, to George Roy and Helen Hill in Minneapolis. He belonged to a prosperous family. His family owned the Minneapolis Tribune. He studied at the Blake School, and later on at the Yale University. As a child, he loved flying, and also had great taste in classical music. He studied music under Paul Hidemath at the University. He was a member of the Scroll and Keys Society, and Spizzwanks, at the University. This society is one of the oldest collegiate singing society of America.

While he was in the United States, the second World War broke out. He left his studies, and served as a cargo pilot in the South Pacific region. Due to the outbreak of the Korean War, he was assigned to 18 months of active service as a night pilot, thereby transpiring with the rank of major. He got appointed for this period in North Carolina. After the war had ended, he employed as a journalist in Texas. He then further pursued his education by graduating from the Trinity College, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in literature.

During this period, he also appeared in many Irish theater plays. He appeared in Raven of Wicklow, and The Devil’s Discipline. After George had returned to the U.S, he acted in many plays. Richard 2, and Shakespear Repertory Company are two famous plays in which he appeared. He had a supporting role in the movie, Walk East on Beacon. My Brothers’ Keeper, a Tv drama, was based on his experience during the war times. He also wrote a version of A Night To Remember, for which he won an Emmy award.

George returned to Broadway as an award- winning director in 1957, honored with the Pulitzer Prize for the plays Look Homeward, Angel, and Period of Adjustment. He filmed The Toys in Attic in 1962, his blockbuster Hawaii in 1966, and many other shows like Thoroughly Modern Millie, Slaughter- House Five, The Sting, Slap Shot, A Little Romance, and Funny Farm. He met Louisa Horton and married her in 1951. But later on, they got divorced. George won the award for The Best Director for The Sting. He died on December 27th, 2002, at his residence, due to Parkinson’s disease.