Edward Zwick is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama for The Last Samurai (2003).
Zwick was born in 1952 in New York City, the son of Ruth (née Lefkowitz), a teacher, and Bernard Zwick, an advertising executive. He has a sister, Linda. His parents were Jewish immigrants, his father from Poland and his mother from Russia. He grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley.
He attended Harvard University, where he was a member of the rowing team and graduated in 1974 with a BA in History and Literature. He then attended the AFI Conservatory, where he earned his MFA in Film Directing.
Zwick’s first feature film was About Last Night… (1986), which he co-wrote with Glenn Gordon Caron and which starred Rob Lowe and Demi Moore. His next film, Glory (1989), was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won three, including Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington.
In 2000, Zwick directed the war film Courage Under Fire, starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
In 2003, Zwick directed the historical drama The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.
In 2010, Zwick directed the action thriller Love & Other Drugs, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hathaway.
Zwick’s most recent film is Pawn Sacrifice (2014), starring Tobey Maguire as Bobby Fischer. The film was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music.
Zwick is married to actress Mariel Hemingway. They have two daughters: Ava and Zoe.
General Info
Full Name
Edward Zwick
Net Worth
$20 million dollars
Date Of Birth
October 8, 1952
Height
1.7 m
Profession
Screenwriter, Television producer, Film producer, Film director, Actor, Businessperson, Television Director
Education
American Film Institute, Harvard University
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Liberty Godshall
Children
Jesse Zwick, Frankie Zwick
Parents
Ruth Ellen Zwick, Allen Zwick
Accomplishments
Awards
Academy Award for Best Picture, Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, BAFTA Award for Best Film, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special, Laurel Award for TV Writing A...
Nominations
Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture, Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing - Variety Se...
Movies
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond, Love & Other Drugs, Glory, Defiance, Legends of the Fall, Pawn Sacrifice, The Siege, Courage Under Fire, About Last Night, Leaving Normal, The Great Wall, Shakespeare in Love, Special Bulletin, I Am Sam, Abandon, Dangerous Beauty, Cut Ban...
TV Shows
Quarterlife, Once and Again, Thirtysomething, Dream Street, A Marriage
I think all popular culture is de facto political, so you goddam well better be responsible about it.
2
To relate to something simply on the basis of race is to deny the universality drama, and I won't be a party to it.
3
There is a segment of the American population that has been excluded from the national myth, and that should be redressed.
4
I don't think movies can ever be too intense, but people have to understand why you're showing them the things you are showing them.
5
I look at modern life and I see people not taking responsibility for their lives. The temptation to blame, to find external causes to one's own issues is something that is particularly modern. I know that personally I find that sense of responsibility interesting.
6
There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other. As a filmmaker, I want to entertain people first and foremost. If out of that comes a greater awareness and understanding of a time or a circumstance, then the hope is that change can happen.
7
I think it's too easy often to find a villain out of the headlines and to then repeat that villainy again and again and again. You know, traditionally, America has always looked to scapegoat someone as the boogie man.
8
To me this movie is about what is valuable. To one person it might be a stone; to someone else, a story in a magazine; to another, it is a child. The juxtaposition of one man obsessed with finding a valuable diamond with another man risking his life to find his son is the beating heart of this film.
9
It seems that almost every time a valuable natural resource is discovered in the world-whether it be diamonds, rubber, gold, oil, whatever-often what results is a tragedy for the country in which they are found. Making matters worse, the resulting riches from these resources rarely benefit the people of the country from which they come.
10
I think one of the privileges of being a filmmaker is the opportunity to remain a kind of perpetual student.
11
Sometimes when we weep in the movies we weep for ourselves or for a life unlived. Or we even go to the movies because we want to resist the emotion that's there in front of us. I think there is always a catharsis that I look for and that makes the movie experience worthwhile.
12
There is something universal in the theme of a man trying to save his family in the midst of the most terrible circumstances. It is not limited to Sierra Leone. This story could apply to any number of places where ordinary people have been caught up in political events beyond their control.
13
Samurai culture did exist really, for hundreds of years and the notion of people trying to create some sort of a moral code, the idea that there existed certain behaviors that could be celebrated and that could be operative in a life.
14
I have nothing against diamonds, or rubies or emeralds or sapphires. I do object when their acquisition is complicit in the debasement of children or the destruction of a country.
15
The interesting movies can definitely still be made but on a very small scale. The idea of putting that many resources to a story that might only make a certain amount of money is not what the studios want. They want movies that will move the stock price or justify giving up one of their tentpole slots.
Both Blood Diamond (2006) and Glory (1989) feature two of the main characters (one white man and one black man) conflicting with each other at first but developing respect for each other in time.
3
Received an A.B. from Harvard University in 1974.
4
He has made a total of three films with Denzel Washington. The only directors to work with Washington more times than that are Spike Lee and Tony Scott, who have done four films each with him.
TV Series executive producer - 3 episodes, 2008 producer - 2 episodes, 2008
Blood Diamond
2006
producer
1/4life
2005
TV Movie executive producer
The Last Samurai
2003
producer
Women vs. Men
2002
TV Movie executive producer
Lone Star State of Mind
2002
executive producer
Once and Again
1999-2002
TV Series executive producer - 61 episodes
Abandon
2002
producer
I Am Sam
2001
producer
Traffic
2000
producer
The Only Living Boy in New York
2000
TV Movie executive producer
Shakespeare in Love
1998
producer
The Siege
1998
producer
Dangerous Beauty
1998
producer
Relativity
1996
TV Series executive producer - 2 episodes
My So-Called Life
1994-1995
TV Series executive producer - 19 episodes
Legends of the Fall
1994
producer
Thirtysomething
TV Series executive producer - 85 episodes, 1987 - 1991 producer - 1 episode, 1987
Extreme Close-Up
1990
TV Movie executive producer
Dream Street
1989
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
CBS Summer Playhouse
1987
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
Special Bulletin
1983
TV Movie producer
Family
1979-1980
TV Series producer - 13 episodes
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Great Wall
2016/I
story completed
American Assassin
writer filming
Nashville
TV Series written by - 21 episodes, 2016 - 2017 story by - 1 episode, 2016
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
2016
screenplay by
Love & Other Drugs
2010
screenplay
A Marriage
2009
TV Movie written by
Defiance
2008/I
screenplay
Quarterlife
TV Series creator - 6 episodes, 2008 story - 2 episodes, 2008
1/4life
2005
TV Movie additional story and dialogue
The Last Samurai
2003
screenplay
Once and Again
TV Series creator - 54 episodes, 1999 - 2002 writer - 11 episodes, 1999 - 2002 story - 1 episode, 1999
America: A Tribute to Heroes
2001
TV Special documentary
The Siege
1998
screenplay
Thirtysomething
TV Series created by - 84 episodes, 1987 - 1991 written by - 7 episodes, 1987 - 1991 teleplay by - 1 episode, 1987
Extreme Close-Up
1990
TV Movie story
Special Bulletin
1983
TV Movie story
Family
1979-1980
TV Series writer - 3 episodes
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
2016
directed by
Pawn Sacrifice
2014
Love & Other Drugs
2010
Defiance
2008/I
Blood Diamond
2006
1/4life
2005
TV Movie
The Last Samurai
2003
Once and Again
1999-2002
TV Series 4 episodes
The Siege
1998
Relativity
1996
TV Series 1 episode
Courage Under Fire
1996
Legends of the Fall
1994
Leaving Normal
1992
Thirtysomething
1987-1990
TV Series 3 episodes
Glory
1989
About Last Night...
1986
The Best Times
1985
TV Series 1 episode
Special Bulletin
1983
TV Movie
Having It All
1982
TV Movie
Paper Dolls
1982
TV Movie
Timothy and the Angel
1976
Short
Family
1976
TV Series
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Women vs. Men
2002
TV Movie
Moderator
Once and Again
2000-2002
TV Series
Dr. Daniel Rosenfeld
The Player
1997
TV Movie
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Family
1978-1979
TV Series story editor - 6 episodes
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Blood Diamond
2006
writer: "When da Dawgs Come Out to Play" - as Ed Zwick
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Family Weekend
2013
very special thanks
The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors
2010
Video documentary special thanks - as Ed Zwick
The Honeysting
2009
Short special thanks
My So-Called Life: My So-Called Life Story
2007
Video documentary short special thanks - as Ed Zwick
The Clearing
2004
special thanks - as Ed Zwick
Good Will Hunting
1997
thanks - as Ed Zwick
The Pallbearer
1996
special thanks
The True Story of Glory Continues
1991
Documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bobby Fischer, The Cold War and the Match of the Century
2015
Video short
Himself
Made in Hollywood
2015
TV Series
Himself
Hollywood's Best Film Directors
2011
TV Series
Himself - Interviewee / Film Director
America in Primetime
2011
TV Series documentary
Himself - Co-Creator, Thirtysomething
Charlie Rose
1998-2010
TV Series
Himself - Guest
About Last Night: Ed Zwick and Robe Lowe in Conversation
2009
Video documentary
Himself
Defiance: Return to the Forest
2009
Video documentary short
Himself
Up Close with Carrie Keagan
2009
TV Series
Himself
Le grand journal de Canal+
2009
TV Series documentary
Himself
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Warren Beatty
2008
TV Special
Himself
My So-Called Life: My So-Called Life Story
2007
Video documentary short
Himself - Executive Producer (as Ed Zwick)
Blood Diamond: Focus Points
2007
Video documentary
Himself
The Siege: Freedom Is History
2007
Video short
Himself
The Siege: Taking New York
2007
Video short
Himself
Blood Diamond: Becoming Archer
2007
Video short
Himself
Blood Diamond: Inside the Siege of Freetown
2007
Video short
Himself
Blood Diamond: Journalism on the Front Line
2007
Video short
Himself
Film '72
2007
TV Series
Himself
HBO First Look
2003-2006
TV Series documentary
Himself
A World of Detail: Production Design with Lilly Kilvert
2004
Video short
Himself
Edward Zwick: Director's Video Journal
2004
Video short
Himself
From Soldier to Samurai: The Weapons
2004
Video short
Himself
Making an Epic: A Conversation with Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise
2004
Video documentary short
Silk and Armor: Costume Design with Ngila Dickson
2004
Video short
Himself
The Last Samurai: Imperial Army Basic Training
2004
Video short
Himself
Tom Cruise: A Warrior's Journey
2004
Video documentary short
Shootout
2004
TV Series
Himself
History vs. Hollywood
2003
TV Series documentary
Himself
Becoming Sam
2002
Video documentary short
Himself
Inside Traffic: The Making of 'Traffic'
2000
TV Short documentary
Himself
The Making of 'The Siege'
2000
Video documentary short
Himself
The 71st Annual Academy Awards
1999
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Best Picture
The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1999
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Winner: Best Motion Picture - Comedy / Musical
Frank Capra's American Dream
1997
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Interviewee: Director
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen
1996
TV Series documentary
Quote Reader
The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
1995
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best Motion Picture - Drama & Best Director
The Media Show
1990
TV Series
Himself
The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1990
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best Director
The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1988
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Drama Series
The 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1983
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Outstanding Drama Special & Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special & Nominated: Outstanding Directing in a Limited Series or a Special
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Eighties
2016
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself - Co-creator, 'thirtysomething'
Entertainment Tonight
2008
TV Series
Himself
Oscar, que empiece el espectáculo
2008
TV Movie documentary
Himself (uncredited)
Gomorron
1995
TV Series
Himself
Awards
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2014
Filmmaker Award
Cinema Audio Society, USA
2012
Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement
Writers Guild of America, USA
2003
Truly Moving Picture Award
Heartland Film
The Last Samurai (2003)
2003
NBR Award
National Board of Review, USA
Best Director
The Last Samurai (2003)
2002
Stanley Kramer Award
PGA Awards
I Am Sam (2001)
2001
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
60 Minute Category
Once and Again (1999)
2001
OFTA Film Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Picture
Traffic (2000)
1999
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Picture
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1999
BAFTA Film Award
BAFTA Awards
Best Film
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1999
OFTA Film Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Comedy/Musical Picture
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1999
Golden Satellite Award
Satellite Awards
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1997
Lone Star Film & Television Award
Lone Star Film & Television Awards
Best Director
Courage Under Fire (1996)
1995
Bronze Wrangler
Western Heritage Awards
Theatrical Motion Picture
Legends of the Fall (1994)
1992
Franklin J. Schaffner Award
American Film Institute, USA
1989
Truly Moving Picture Award
Heartland Film
Glory (1989)
1989
KCFCC Award
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Director
Glory (1989)
1989
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Episodic Drama
Thirtysomething (1987)
1988
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Thirtysomething (1987)
1984
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials
Special Bulletin (1983)
1984
WGA Award (TV)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Original Drama Anthology
Special Bulletin (1983)
1983
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Special
Special Bulletin (1983)
1983
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Limited Series or a Special
Special Bulletin (1983)
1983
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
90 Minute Category
Special Bulletin (1983)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2006
SLFCA Award
St. Louis Film Critics Association, US
Best Director
Blood Diamond (2006)
2004
Saturn Award
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
Best Director
The Last Samurai (2003)
2004
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
The Last Samurai (2003)
2003
Golden Schmoes
Golden Schmoes Awards
Best Director of the Year
The Last Samurai (2003)
2002
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program
America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001)
2002
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Writing in a Drama Series
Once and Again (1999)
2001
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Picture
Traffic (2000)
2000
ACCA
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Best Motion Picture
Traffic (2000)
1999
OFTA Film Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Picture
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1999
PGA Award
PGA Awards
Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1998
ACCA
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Best Motion Picture
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
1995
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Director - Motion Picture
Legends of the Fall (1994)
1991
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Thirtysomething (1987)
1991
Humanitas Prize
Humanitas Prize
90 Minute Category
Extreme Close-Up (1990)
1990
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Director - Motion Picture
Glory (1989)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Thirtysomething (1987)
1989
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Thirtysomething (1987)
1989
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Thirtysomething (1987)
1989
DGA Award
Directors Guild of America, USA
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Night
Thirtysomething (1987)
1983
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Directing in a Limited Series or a Special