Orson Welles

Director

Iconic director, actor, screenwriter and producer George Orson Welles.

Full Name

Birthday

May 6, 1915

Age

Born

United States

Birth Sign

Taurus

Relationship

Height

Net Worth

Death Date

October 10, 1985

About

Orson Welles was an American filmmaker, actor and director who is best remembered for his 1941 film Citizen Kane. He is often cited as one of the greatest directors of all time and his innovative cinematic techniques remain influential in the industry today.

Life Timeline

<div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1915</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Orson Welles is Born</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>On May 6, 1915, Orson Welles was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1930s</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Begins Acting Career</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Welles starts his acting career at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1937</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>“The War of the Worlds” Broadcast</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Welles’ “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast causes a nationwide panic.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1941</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Citizen Kane is Released</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>At age 26, Welles releases Citizen Kane, widely considered one of the greatest films ever made.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1942</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Wins Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Welles wins an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Citizen Kane.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1985</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Receives Honorary Oscar</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Welles is presented with an honorary Academy Award for his body of work.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1985</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Death of Orson Welles</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Orson Welles dies on October 10, 1985, in Hollywood California.</div></div></div></div>

Why We Love Them

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> He was an Innovator</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Orson Welles was a pioneer in filmmaking, pushing the boundaries of what could be done with film. He used innovative techniques such as deep focus, montage and overlapping dialogue to create unique and captivating films.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> He was a Visionary</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Orson Welles was a true visionary, creating films that were ahead of their time. His films often explored complex themes, social issues or the human condition in ways that had never been done before.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> He was a Great Storyteller</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Orson Welles was a master storyteller who could weave complex stories together. His films often featured intricate plots, unexpected twists and characters that audiences could relate to.</p></div>

Interesting Facts

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Became a Film Director at</h3><p class='facts-text'>Orson Welles was only 25 years old when he directed, wrote, and starred in his first feature film, Citizen Kane (1941), becoming the youngest director to ever win an Academy Award.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Radio Pioneer</h3><p class='facts-text'>Orson Welles was a pioneer in radio broadcasting and is best known for his adaptation of The War of the Worlds (1938), which caused a nationwide panic.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Multi Talented Artist</h3><p class='facts-text'>Orson Welles was a multi-talented artist who excelled in various forms of art including acting, writing, producing, directing, painting, sculpting and magic.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Never Won Oscar</h3><p class='facts-text'>Despite being widely acclaimed for his works, Orson Welles never won an Oscar for Best Director or Best Picture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Owned a Luxury Yacht</h3><p class='facts-text'>In 1959, Orson Welles purchased a luxury yacht named The Zaca, which he used as both a home and office while he was making movies.</p></div></div>

01 Started Out as a Writerading

Before becoming an actor, Morgan Freeman worked as a screenwriter. He wrote scripts for The Electric Company and another children's show called Sesame Street.

05 Was Arrested for DUI

In 2008, Morgan Freeman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was released after several hours and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.