Arthur Hiller was a renowned director, producer, and actor who dedicated his life to cinema. He created numerous engaging and popular films across various genres. More on edmonton-trend.com.
Childhood and Education
Arthur Hiller was born on November 22, 1923, in Edmonton. His parents had emigrated from Poland to Edmonton before his birth. Arthur was the youngest of three children, with two older sisters.
In Edmonton, his father opened a men’s barbershop, later expanding to several stores selling men’s clothing and second-hand musical instruments. The Hiller family also founded a Yiddish amateur theatre in Edmonton, where young Arthur helped and began performing minor roles at the age of 11.
Arthur attended Victoria Composite High School in Edmonton. After graduation, he spent three years as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, stationed in England to participate in bombing missions over Germany.
After the war, Arthur studied psychology at the University of Toronto, earning a master’s degree. His interest in social and communicative aspects of psychology led him to pursue directing.
Career in Direction
In 1950, Hiller began producing and directing talk shows and documentaries for the CBC’s public affairs and talks department. He loved his work, eventually producing 17 weekly shows, including dramas.
In 1954, he transitioned to television, directing live dramas. A year later, producer Albert McCleery invited him to Los Angeles to direct for Matinee Theatre.
Hiller accepted the offer, serving as head director for a year before pursuing freelance work. He directed dramatic series such as Playhouse 90 for CBS and Naked City, among others.
Hiller quickly became a favorite among actors and audiences. He directed popular series like Perry Mason, The Addams Family, and Thriller.
Over his career, Arthur directed more than 20 feature films, spanning intense dramas, light comedies, and musicals. He earned 15 Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars. His most iconic film, Love Story (1970), became a blockbuster. The movie depicted a poignant tale of star-crossed lovers, earning him a Golden Globe for Best Director and an Academy Award nomination.
Professional Achievements
From 1989 to 1993, Hiller served as president of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Between 1993 and 1997, he was a member of the National Film Preservation Board at the U.S. Library of Congress. In 2002, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Hiller was also deeply involved in philanthropy, conducting masterclasses and seminars for students and emerging filmmakers worldwide.
The University of Alberta awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters in 2002, and he received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
In 2004, the Directors Guild honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2007, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. That same year, his alma mater initiated the Arthur Hiller Student Film Festival, and a section of 104 Street in Edmonton was named after him.
Legacy
Arthur Hiller passed away on August 17, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of beloved and impactful films.
