An Unmarried Woman

Background:

Academy Award nominated American film director, screenwriter, producer and actor Paul Mazursky got his start in show business as an actor while still a student in college. He went on to pursue a career as a standup comic before gaining success as a staff writer on CBS' “The Danny Kaye Show,” from which he earned two Emmy nominations. He broke into directing with “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” (1969), from which he got his first Oscar nomination for his script that he shared with partner Larry Tucker. For the next two decades, Mazursky would continue with his behind the camera career with impressive directing credits on films like “Alex in Wonderland” (1970), “Blume in Love” (1973), “Harry and Tonto” (1974), “Next Stop, Greenwich Village” (1976), “An Unmarried Woman” (1978), “Willie & Phil” (1980), “Tempest” (1982), “Moscow on the Hudson” (1984), “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” (1986), “Moon Over Parador” (1988), “Enemies, a Love Story” (1989) and “Scenes from a Mall” (1991). He took home his second Oscar nomination for writing “Harry and Tonto” and his third and fourth nominations as the writer and producer of “An Unmarried Woman.” His last nomination was for scripting “Enemies, a Love Story.” After the unsatisfying “The Pickle” (1993), he directed his last film to date, “Faithful” (1996), and has since helmed two TV films and a documentary. His more recent acting credits include recurring roles in “Once and Again” (1999-2002) and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2004-2009) and roles in films like “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” (1998), “I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With” (2006) and “Cattle Call” (2006), to name a few.

Mazursky is the recipient of the 1999 Distinguished Director Award from the Costume Designers Guild Awards, the 2001 President Award for Director of Distinction at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival and the 2009 Filmmaker Award from the USA Cinema Audio Society.

Mazursky is the father of screenwriter Jill Mazursky.

Irwin

Childhood and Family:

Born Irwin Mazursky on April 25, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, Paul Mazursky was raised by parents David Mazursky, who worked for the WPA before shifting to a newspaper company, and Jean Mazursky, a part time pianist at a dance school. His grandfather was a Jewish immigrant from Ukraine. He attended Brooklyn College and graduated in 1951. He moved to Los Angeles eight years later to gain more opportunities.

Mazursky is married to Betsy Mazursky (born October 27, 1926). She appeared in the Mazursky's movies “Tempest,” “Moscow on the Hudson,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” “Moon Over Parador,” “Scenes from a Mall” and “The Pickle.” His daughter, Meg Mazursky, died at age 52 on September 13, 2009, of brain cancer. He has one more daughter named Jill Mazursky.

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

Career:

Paul Mazursky made his off-Broadway debut starring in a revival of Leonid Andreyev's “He Who Gets Slapped” (1950) while a senior at college. After the performance, he was cast in Stanley Kubrick’s directorial debut “Fear and Desire” (1953), a military action film where Mazursky starred as Private Sidney. By this time, Mazursky had changed his first name from Irwin to Paul. Also in 1953, he appeared in summer stock productions like “Death of a Salesman” (as Willy Loman), “The Seagull” (as Sorin) and “Major Barbara” (as Undershaft). Back to New York City after a brief move to Hollywood in 1954, Mazursky began appearing in live television shows. He got his next film role in Richard Brooks' adaptation of Evan Hunter's novel “Blackboard Jungle” (1955), which starred Glenn Ford, Anne Francis, Louis Calhern and Sidney Poitier.

Branching out to comedy, Mazursky scored minor success off-Broadway in “Shoestring 57” (1956). In 1957, he directed and acted in nightclub acts in Greenwich Village, Chicago and San Francisco. He also formed a comedy team with fellow comic Herb Hartig called “Igor and H.” In 1959, he returned to Los Angeles and performed with Los Angeles' Second City Improvisational Revue. Originally writing his own material, Mazursky progressively changed his focus to writing for other artists and with his partner Larry Tucker, landed a gig on the CBS comedy series “The Danny Kaye Show” in the mid-1960s. He shared two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety for his work on the show. He and Tucker then wrote a 1966 episode of NBC's “The Monkees” called “Here Come the Monkees,” where they made cameo appearances. Mazursky also made guest appearances in various TV shows, including “Twilight Zone” (3 episodes, 1960-1963), “The DuPont Show of the Week” (2 episodes, 1962), “The Rifleman” (2 episodes, 1960-1963) and “Channing” (1 episode, 1964) and returned to film acting with a costarring role opposite Michael Forest in the based on play “Deathwatch” (1964), which was directed and co-written by Vic Morrow.

Mazursky made his debut as a screenwriter with “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas” (1968), which was a comedy helmed by Hy Averback and starring Peter Sellers. The work earned him Writers Guild of America nominations in the categories of Best Written American Original Screenplay and Best Written American Comedy (shared with Larry Tucker). The pair also served as executive producers and had unaccredited parts in the film. The following year, Mazursky made his feature directorial debut with the dramatic comedy “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” which he also co-wrote with Tucker who also served as a producer. Starring Natalie Wood, Robert Culp, Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon, the film was a hit and was nominated for Oscars for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Gould), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cannon) and Best Cinematography (Charles Lang). Adding to his Academy Award nomination, Mazursky nabbed a Writers Guild of America, National Society of Film Critics and New York Film Critics Circle Awards for Best Screenplay and a BAFTA nomination in the same category. He also made a small appearance in the film.

In 1970, Mazursky was reunited with Tucker on the script of the comedy “Alex in Wonderland,” his next directorial effort that starred Donald Sutherland and Ellen Burstyn. His daughter Meg appeared in the film as Alex's daughter, Amy, while Mazursky portrayed the small role of Hal Stern. After appearing in the independent film “The Other Side of the Wind” (1972) for director/writer Orson Welles, he returned to the director's chair to helm George Segal, Susan Anspach and Kris Kristofferson in “Blume in Love” (1973), where he also portrayed Hellman. Also marking his first solo film script, the film earned him a 1974 Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen. He also produced the film.

In 1974, Mazursky produced, directed, scripted (with Josh Greenfield) and portrayed a character in the comedy “Harry and Tonto.” He picked up his second Oscar nomination for Best Writing, Original Screenplay, a Kinema Junpo Award for Best Foreign Language Film and another Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen. Under his direction, star Art Carney won Academy Award and Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor. Two years later, he directed, wrote and produced (with Anthony Ray) the autobiographical “Next Stop, Greenwich Village,” which chronicled his move from Brooklyn to New York City during the early 1950s. The film earned primarily positive reviews from critics and he was nominated for a Golden Palm at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and a 1977 Writers of Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen. The same year, he landed a supporting role in Frank Pierson's dramatic musical “A Star Is Born,” starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Mazursky enjoyed significant victory in 1978 with the release of “An Unmarried Woman,” a drama about affluent wife Erica Benton (played by Jill Clayburgh) whose ideal life is destroyed after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. The film, which he wrote, directed and co-produced, was nominated for Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Picture, and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Mazursky also netted a Los Angeles Film Critics Association for Best Screenplay, a National Society of Film Critics for Best Screenplay, a New York Film Critics Circle for Best Screenplay, a Bodil for Best Non-European Film, Golden Globe nominations for Best Director - Motion Picture and Best Screenplay - Motion Picture, a Golden Palm nomination, a Directors Guild of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures and a Writers Guild of America nomination for Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen. He closed out the decade with a performance in Noel Black's movie “A Man, a Woman and a Bank” (1979), opposite Sutherland and Brooke Adams.

Mazursky was reunited with Anthony Ray to produce the drama “Willie & Phil” (1980), which he also directed and wrote, and was featured in Mel Brooks' comedy “History of the World: Part I” (1981) before directing, scripting (with Leon Capetanos) and producing (with Pato Guzman) the “Tempest” (1982), which was loosely based Shakespeare's play “The Tempest.” The film starred John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon and Molly Ringwald. Mazursky won a People's Choice Award at the 1982 Toronto International Film Festival for the film. In 1984, he was reunited with Capetanos for the script of the Robin Williams comedy “Moscow on the Hudson,” which he also directed and produced (again with Guzman).

After having a small part in John Landis' “Into the Night” (1985), Mazursky directed, co-produced, co-wrote and acted in the comedy film “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” (1986), which was adapted from the French play “Boudu sauvé des eaux.” Starring Nick Nolte, Bette Midler and Richard Dreyfuss, the film was a commercial success with over $91 million earnings at the box office against its budget of $14 million. Mazursky received a Writers Guild of America nomination for his script. Two years later, he directed, produced and wrote (with Capetanos) the romantic comedy “Moon over Parador,” starring Richard Dreyfuss, Raúl Juliá and Sonia Braga. Mazursky, however, did not gain his fifth Oscar nomination until he collaborated with Roger L. Simon on the script of “Enemies: A Love Story” (1989), based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Bashevis Singer. The film also nabbed Best Supporting Oscar nominations for Anjelica Huston and Lena Olin. Also directing, acting in and producing the film, he won a New York Film Critics Circle for his directing effort. In between “Moon over Parador” and “Enemies: A Love Story,” he played roles in 1998's “Punchline” (directed and written by David Seltzer) and 1989's “Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills” (directed by Paul Bartel).

In 1990, Mazursky executive produced “Taking Care of Business,” a film directed by Arthur Hiller that was scripted by his daughter Jill. He returned to the director's chair the following year when he helmed Bette Midler, Woody Allen and Bill Irwin in the satirical movie “Scenes from a Mall,” which he wrote with Simon and produced with Guzman. Guzman passed away just before the film's release and Mazursky dedicated the film to his long time friend and partner. In 1993, he wrote, directed and produced “The Pickle,” starring Danny Aiello and Dyan Cannon. He did not direct another film until 1996's “Faithful” and was handed a Golden Berlin Bear nomination at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival for his efforts. He also costarred in the film with Cher, Ryan O'Neal and Palminteri. His subsequent directing effort was the acclaimed made for TV film “Winchell” (1998), which was scripted by Scott Abbott and based on a book by Herman Klurfeld. He netted a Certificate of Merit for Television - Drama -Television Feature at the 1999 San Francisco International Film Festival for the HBO film. In the movie, he portrayed Winchell’s (played by Stanley Tucci) father.

In addition to acting in his own films, Mazursky also appeared in other projects during the 1990s. He supported Jack Nicholson and Allen Barkin in Bob Rafelson's “Man Trouble” (1992), portrayed Judge Feinstein in Brian De Palma's “Carlito's Way” (1993), teamed up with Warren Beatty, Annette Bening and Katharine Hepburn in Glenn Gordon Caron's “Love Affair” (1994) and was reunited with Marsha Mason and Danny Aiello in John Herzfeld's “2 Days in the Valley” (1996). He also worked with Sarah Jessica Parker, Gil Bellows, Antonio Banderas and Mia Farrow in David Frankel's “Miami Rhapsody” (1995), with LL Cool J and Gina Gershon in Paul Schrader's “Touch” (1997), with Halle Berry and Vivica A. Fox in Gregory Nava's “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” (1998, as Morris Levy) and Melanie Griffith, David Morse and Lucas Black in Antonio Banderas' “Crazy in Alabama” (1999). He also provided the voice of the psychologist in the animated film “Antz” (1998). On the small screen, he guest starred in “Frasier” (1995, voiced Vinnie) and “Ink” (1996), played Dr. Jonathon Cummings in the TV film “ Weapons of Mass Distraction” (1997) and supported William H Macy and Adam Arkin in the TNT comedy “A Slight Case of Murder” (1999). He began his recurring role of Phil Brooks, the father of Sela Ward, in the ABC series “Once and Again” in 1999. He would work on the show until 2002.

Entering the new millennium, Mazursky played Sunshine the poker dealer on the HBO hit series “The Sopranos” (2 episodes, 2000-2001), voiced a studio executive in the 2001 film “The Majestic” and was featured in the films “Da wan” (2001) and “Do It for Uncle Manny” (2002) before acting in and directing the TV film “Coast to Coast” (2003), which was a drama written by Frederic Raphael that starred Richard Dreyfuss and Judy Davis. From 2004 to 2009, he played the recurring role of Norm on HBO's “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (6 episodes). Meanwhile, in 2006, he directed the documentary “Yippee” and appeared in Jeff Garlin's feature directing debut “I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With” and in “National Lampoon's Cattle Call” (as Judge Mendel).

More recently, Mazursky appeared as a priest in Jeff Kanew's short “Hopelessly Devoted” (2010), which was co-written by his daughter Jill and Jamee Decio.

Awards:

• Cinema Audio Society: Filmmaker Award, 2009

• Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival: President Award, Director of Distinction, 2001

• Costume Designers Guild: Distinguished Director Award, 1999

• San Francisco International Film Festival: Certificate of Merit, Television - Drama-Television Feature, “Winchell,” 1999

• New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC): Best Director, “Enemies: A Love Story,” 1989

• Toronto International Film Festival: People's Choice Award, “Tempest,” 1982

• Bodil: Best Non-European Film (Bedste ikke-europæiske film), “An Unmarried Woman,” 1979

• National Society of Film Critics (NSFC): Best Screenplay, “An Unmarried Woman,” 1979

• Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA): Best Screenplay, “An Unmarried Woman,” 1978

• New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC): Best Screenplay, “An Unmarried Woman,” 1978

• Kinema Junpo: Best Foreign Language Film, “Harry and Tonto,” 1976

• National Society of Film Critics (NSFC): Best Screenplay, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” 1970

• Writers Guild of America (WGA): Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” 1970

• New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC): Best Screenplay, “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” 1969